Current Zoning Status in Somerville

The current zoning in Somerville follows the ordinance that was originally adopted in 1990, including all of the revisions and updates that have been adopted since the Ordinance became effective.

The proposed Zoning Overhaul was tabled by the Board of Alderman allowing the Planning Staff time to respond to feed-back, to make revisions and the re-advertise and resubmit the proposal.

History

• 1990, 23rd of March - The current Zoning Ordinance (as originally adopted)
• 2014, 11th of December - Submittal - Zoning Ordinance Overhaul (New Zoning Ordinance to supersede the current Zoning Ordinance)
• 2015, 22nd of January - Updated Submittal - Zoning Ordinance Overhaul
• 2016, 31st of May - Result: Kept in Committee by the Committee of the Whole / Land Use Committee in consideration of revisions to be completed by the Planning Staff and to be resubmitted

Recent Zoning Changes in Somerville Zoning

• Medical Marajuana Facilities – Ordinance No. 2016-01
• Inclusionary Housing – Ordinance No. 2016-06
• Site Plan Approval Requirements (Changed for certain Minor projects (SZO SEC. 5.4.5)) - Ordinance of 10-22-2015 (1)

The next steps for the proposed Zoning Overhaul

• The Planning Department plans to resubmit and re-advertise the Zoning Overhaul Important Considerations
• The current zoning ordinance, originally adopted in 1990, is the only ordinance presently in effect. Permit applications submitted after the proposed zoning overhaul is advertised again, but before new zoning is is adopted may be subject to comply with both provisions of the existing and the new ordinance
• A second change request period is likely to be established after the revised zoning ordinance is resubmitted. The initial change request period is closed. Many change requests were submitted to planning, and are under consideration. Certain change requests will be incorporated into the revised draft of maps and the ordinance

Submit now for certainty

One take-away from this discussion of Somerville zoning might to submit for permits directly and without delay, because the current zoning ordinance is a known consideration. There may be several months or more of uncertainty once the zoning overhaul is resubmitted. After resubmittal, there will be a bit of a moving target, regarding zoning requirements, until something new is adopted. There is currently no specific time table describing when to expect a revision of the proposed Zoning Overhaul. I understand that City’s planning resources may have shifted sufficiently from Union Square issues back to Zoning Overhaul updates. So I think that we’ll see progress soon.