Transit And Transformation Ne Wire January 2009 (Final)
Public Hearing Usq Rezoning Bo A 12 4 08 Final
1. UNION SQUARE
REZONING
Joint Hearing of
Board of Aldermen Land Use Committee
and
Planning Board
December 4, 2008
Monica R. Lamboy
Executive Director
OSPCD
3. Why Union Square?
Background…
• Historic City center
• Distinctive character
• Ongoing resurgence
• Future rapid transit
access
• Strong arts
community
• Growth potential
4. Challenges
Background…
• Current laws impede
development
• Limited open space
• Imbalance of vehicle,
pedestrian, bicyclist
• Significant
infrastructure needs
• Jobs/housing balance
• Underdeveloped
parcels, structures
reduced in height
6. Related Efforts
Background…
• Rezoning Study
• Green Line Extension
• Transportation Study
• Expedited Permitting (43D)
• Brownfield Redevelopment
• District Improvement Financing
• Urban Renewal Plan
• Business Improvement District
7. Process…
Process and Outreach
• Reviewed comments from previous versions
• Prepared revised rezoning proposal
• Worked with Focus Group (Feb-June) with reps from:
AHOC Historic Preservation Commission
Allen/Linden Street Neighborhood STEP
Arts Council Union Square Main Streets
Chamber of Commerce Union Square Neighbors
Development Community Ward Street Neighborhood
• Community meetings (June – Oct)
• Architects meetings (July – Oct)
8. Process and Outreach
Process…
Community Meetings:
June 24th – Community Meeting to Introduce Rezoning of Union Square
July 8th – Corridor Commercial Districts and Neighborhood Business Districts
July 14th – Business Environment and Pedestrian Activities
July 16th – Transit-Oriented Districts
July 21st – Arts Overlay District
July 22nd – Spanish Language Meeting
July 30th – Open Space
July 30th – Architects Design Charette
July 31st – Portuguese Language Meeting
Aug. 5th – Haitian Creole Language Meeting
Aug. 13th – Business Environment and Pedestrian Activities
Sept. 17th – Second meeting of Architects Design Charette
Early Oct. – Meeting with Focus Group
Oct. 14th – Community Meeting to review final proposal to BOA
Oct. 16th – Boynton Property Owners Meeting
9. Thanks to Focus Group!
Abby Freedman Ken Kelly
Ben Dryer Margo Grossberg
Beth Driscoll Mary Regan
Ed Marakovitz McFall Kerbey
Ellin Reisner Mimi Graney
Eric Fellinger (alternate) Stuart Dash
Frank Martelli Ted Hatzis
Fred Berman (observer) Trey Agnew
Greg Jenkins Jean Martelli (observer)
Jacky Amburn Vicky Choitz
Jeff Meese Wig Zamore
10. Thanks to Architects!
Community Design Resource Center of Boston—Brandy Brooks
Perkins + Will—Patrick Cunningham
KyAnn Anderson, Add Inc Peter Quinn, Peter Quinn Architects
Josh Safdie, Boston Architectural
Aristotle Bakalos, CBT
College
Jessica Bessette, Arrowstreet
Andrew Steingiser, CBT
Dennis Carlberg, Arrowstreet Frank Valdes, DiMella Shaffer
Margelin Gace, Khalsa Design Inc. Kishore Varanasi, CBT
Peter Wiederspahn, Northeastern,
Jai Singh Khalsa, Khalsa Design, Inc.
Wiederspahn Architecture,LLC
11. Vision for Union Square
Process…
• Vibrant Downtown
• Transit Oriented
• Variety of Housing
• Compatible Development
• Open Space
12. Process…
Key Organizing Principles
• Facilitate development in opportunity areas
• Respect transition between commercial &
residential
• Balanced approach to circulation
•Provide greater certainty for neighbors and
applicants
• Encourage sustainable development
• Ensure design quality and compatibility
13. What Zoning Does
• Use Standards
• Building Design Standards
• Site Design Standards
• Parking Standards
• Review Process
14. What Zoning
Use Standards
Does…
• Use clusters
A) Office / R&D / Institution
B) Small Retail & Service
C) Large Retail & Service
D) Eating and Drinking
E) Residential
F) Other Accommodations
G) Educational / Recreational
H) Industrial
I) Other Uses
Arts related uses
Pedestrian
oriented uses
• Affordable housing
15. What Zoning
Building Design Standards
Does…
Green building incentives
Definition of FAR
Mechanical equipment height
• Continuous streetwall
Small commercial bays
• Upper level setback
• Mandatory design review
16. What Zoning
Site Design Standards
Does…
• Buffer from residential areas
• Usable open space
Payment in lieu of open space
Credit for public infrastructure
Credit for parkland provision
• Screening of service areas
• Parking concealed from street
17. What Zoning
Parking Standards
Does…
• Parking requirements simplified by
use cluster
• Parking requirements reduced
Parking “freeze” for existing
structures
Payment In Lieu of Parking
Leasing of Parking
Parking Optimization Plan
Compact Parking
18. Review Process
What Zoning
Does…
• More mandatory development
standards
• Single board review
Heavier review of new
construction than change of use
Structured parking excluded
from linkage fee
19. Overall Rezoning Plan Dec 2008
• Commercial
Corridor District
(CCD)
• Arts Overlay
District (AOD)
• Transit Oriented
Districts (TOD)
• Neighborhood
Business District
(NB)
20. Corridor Commercial District (CCD)
Districts…
Encourage Infill
Development
• Use Clusters
• Scale similar to
existing development
• Commercial ground
floor, street wall, small
bays
• Historic incentive
• Reduced parking,
parking “freeze”,
payment in lieu of FAR – 3.0 Height – 55 ft
parking
21. CCD Dimensional Requirements
CCD Sample Building Envelope
Historical structures that have been altered may be
returned to their original form and design without
variances
24. Neighborhood Business District (NB)
Districts…
Small-scale retail,
services, and offices
near residential
areas.
• Existing District
• Reflects scale and
use of historic built
environment.
FAR – 2.0 Height – 40 ft
26. Proposed AOD
Districts…
Citywide Benefits: Fine Arts & Crafts
“Artist Studio Space” is established as use, with the following list of
permitted arts uses, as well as accessory sales on site:
“… creation, production, rehearsal or teaching of any visual art or craft, including but
not limited to painting, drawing, graphic design, photography, video, film, sculpture,
and pottery; of written works of fiction or nonfiction; or of any performing art,
whether for live or recorded performance, including music, dance, and theater…”
“Artist Live/Work Space” replaces current “Artist’s Housing” use.
Emphasizes use as both Dwelling and Artist Studio Space.
27. Proposed AOD
Districts…
Citywide Benefits: Including Design Professions
“Home Occupation” use is clarified and expanded to include crafts,
performing arts, architects, and landscape architects (from current
“artist, musician, photographer or writer”).
“Arts-Related Uses” is defined, given an FAR and unit bonus in
AOD, and designated as required use group in some TODs.
• Artist Studio Space
• Artist Live/Work Space
• Arts-related educational facility
• Crafts-related retail store
• Museum/gallery
• Retail sales of art and arts supplies
• Office of creative design professional
(e.g., architect, landscape architect, industrial designer)
• Theater or performance space
• Other bona fide arts-related uses, subject to SPGA approval.
31. Transit Oriented District 70 (TOD 70)
Districts…
Bookend Prospect
Avenue corridor
• Pedestrian oriented
requirement supports
street level activity
• Upper level step back
after 55 ft height
• Green building
incentive
• 5% arts related uses
• 15% affordable
housing
• 10 % usable open
FAR – 4.0 Height – 70 ft
space
33. Transit Oriented District 100 (TOD 100)
Districts…
Tie between Boynton
Yards & Union Square
• Pedestrian oriented
requirement supports
street level activity
• Upper level step back
after 55 ft height
• Green building
incentive
• 5% arts related uses
• 15% affordable
housing
• 10 % usable open
space FAR – 4.0 Height – 100 ft
40. Transit Oriented District 135 (TOD 135)
Districts…
Transform Boynton
Yards & McGrath
• Allows modest
industrial uses
• Increased (15%)
open space required
• Green building
incentive
• 5% arts related uses
• 17.5% affordable
housing
FAR – 5.5 Height – 135 ft
46. Development and Tax Capacity (2038):
• 12 M net s.f.
• 8.55 M s.f. of commercial development
• 4.8 M s.f. of residential space
• 3,750 total residential units created
• 13,000 parking spaces
• 200,000 s.f. of usable open space
• 24,000 jobs
•$36 M annual tax revenue
Built Square Footage in Zoning Area (M SqFt)
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
2009 2013 2017 2021 2025 2029 2033 2037
47. Housing and Affordability:
• Increase % of affordable housing (550 units est.)
• Increased new housing of all types
• Linkage fee from commercial development
($18 to $30 M)
• Jobs, jobs, jobs
55. NEXT STEPS
Board of Aldermen
• Public hearing of Land Use Committee & Planning
Board
• Planning Board recommendation to BoA
• Closed public hearing of Land Use Committee &
Planning Board
• BoA decision
56. NEXT STEPS
Transportation Study
• Begin development with USQ Main Streets of
alternatives for Transportation Study (December)
• Community meeting for Transportation Study (tent.
January)
• Transportation Analysis
• Data collection
• Growth projections
• Synchro analysis
57. CONTACT INFO
Monica Lamboy, Executive Director mlamboy@somervillema.gov
Madeleine Masters, Planning Director mmasters@somervillema.gov
Rob May, Director of Economic Devt rmay@somervillema.gov
Christopher DiIorio, Senior Planner cdiiorio@somervillema.gov
Lori Massa, Planner lmassa@somervillema.gov
Stephen Houdlette, Senior Econ Devt Spec shoudlette@somervillema.gov
OSPCD
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143
617-625-6600 x 2500
www.somervillema.gov
59. Existing Zoning
CBD BA BB
Minimum lot size (s.f.) NA NA NA
Minimum lot area / dwelling unit
875 875 875
1-9 UNITS
10 OR MORE UNITS 1000 1000 1000
Maximum ground coverage (%) 80 80 80
Landscaped area, minimum percent 10 10 10
of lot
Floor area ratio (FAR) (2) 2.0 2.0 2.0
Maximum height, stories/feet (3) 4/50 4/50 NA/50
Minimum Front Yards NA NA 15
Minimum Side Yards NA NA NA
Minimum Rear Yard 10’ + 2’ per story 10’ + 2’ per story 10’ + 2’ per story
Minimum Frontage NA NA NA
60. RM3
CCD Dimensional Requirements
CBD BA BB Proposed
CCD
Minimum lot size (s.f.) NA NA NA NA
Minimum lot area / dwelling unit
875 875 875 600
1-9 UNITS
10 OR MORE UNITS 1000 1000 1000 600
Maximum ground coverage (%) 80 80 80 80
Landscaped area, minimum 10 10 10 10
percent of lot
Floor area ratio (FAR) (2) 2.0 2.0 2.0 3.0
Maximum height, stories/feet (3) 4/50 4/50 NA/50 NA/55
Minimum Front Yards NA NA 15 NA
Minimum Side Yards NA NA NA NA
Minimum Rear Yard 10’ + 2’ per story 10’ + 2’ per story 10’ + 2’ per story 20’ + outer 10’
landscaped
Minimum Frontage NA NA NA 30’
61. Slide 60
RM3 20 feet, with the 10 closest to a residential zone landscaped.
Rob May, 10/29/2008
62. RM13
Proposed TOD
Dimensional Requirements (section 6.5.6)
Dimensional and Use
TOD-55 TOD-70 TOD-100 TOD-135
Standards
Minimum lot size (s.f.) 15,000 25,000 25,000 50,000
Minimum lot area / dwelling
600 450 450 450
unit
Maximum ground
80 80 80 80
coverage (%)
Landscaped area, minimum
10 15 15 20
percent of lot (%)
Floor area ratio (FAR) 3 3.5 / 4.0 Green 3.5 / 4.0 Green 4.5 / 5.5 Green
Maximum height (ft) 55 55 / 70 Green 85 / 100 Green 120 / 135 Green
Minimum front, side,
0 0 0 0
rear yard (ft)
Minimum frontage (ft) 50 100 140 140
63. Slide 61
RM13 Revize 85 to 70 and 150 to 135
Rob May, 10/29/2008
64. CCD Parking Requirements
(Section 9.17.1 and 6.1.22.6)
•Parking requirements are Minimum Spaces
Use Cluster
reduced and defined by
Office / R&D / Institutional Use 1 per 800 n.s.f
use cluster
1 per 1200 n.s.f (2,3)
Small Retail and Business (under
•All at/above-grade 1,500 net square feet)
structured parking shall be 1 per 800 n.s.f (3)
Large Retail and Business (1,500
included in the calculation net square feet or more)
of Floor Area Ratio
1 per 400 n.s.f (2,3)
Eating and Drinking
•Option for cash payment 1 per unit (4)
Residential
in lieu of providing the Other Accommodations 0.6 per guest room
required parking, or a cash
Educational/Recreational Services 1 per 400 n.s.f
payment combined with a
Light Industrial NA
partial provision of the
required parking Other None required
65. RM14
Dimensional Requirements (cont)
*New Requirements for TOD*
Dimensional and Use TOD-55 TOD-70 TOD-100 TOD-135
Standards
A, B, C, D, E, F, A, B, C, D, E, F, A, B, C, D, E, F, A, B, C, D, E, F,
Permitted Use Clusters G, I G, I G, I G, H, I
Arts Related Uses
none 5% of g.s.f. 5% of g.s.f. 5% of g.s.f.
Requirement
Inclusionary Housing
15% 15% 15% 17.5%
Requirement
Tapering Height NA 55' 55' N/A
Upper Level Setback NA 15' 25' N/A
Upper Level Maximum
NA NA 36% N/A
Floorplate
Usable Open Space
Requirement (can count NA 10% 10% 15%
toward landscaping)
67. Proposed TOD
Parking (section 9.17.1):
Minimum Spaces
Use Cluster
TOD(1)
A Office / R&D / Institutional Use 1 per 1000 n.s.f
Small Retail and Business (under 1,500
1 per 1500 n.s.f (2,3)
B
net square feet)
Large Retail and Business (1,500 net
1 per 1000 n.s.f (3)
C
square feet or more)
1 per 500 n.s.f (2,3)
D Eating and Drinking
1 per unit (4)
E Residential
F Other Accommodations 0.5 per guest room
G Educational/Recreational Services 1 per 500 n.s.f
H Light Industrial 1 per 1500 n.s.f
I Other None required
69. Vision for Union Square
• Vibrant Downtown
Enhance and preserve character of area
• Transit Oriented
Focus on multi-modal development
• Variety of Housing
Artist live/work, family units, affordable mixed income
• Compatible Development
Creating local jobs in office, R&D, and creative industries
• Open Space
Improving green spaces and quality of life
70. Key Organizing Principles p.1
• Facilitate development in opportunity areas
Redevelop underutilized areas
Infill where appropriate
Step down towards established neighborhoods
• Respect transition b/t commercial & residential
Increase setbacks and lower heights near residential
Buffer zones between residential and higher intensity
• Balanced approach to circulation
Pedestrian-friendly uses and building design
Reduce parking requirements
Increase bicycle parking requirements
71. Key Organizing Principles p.2
• Ensure design quality and compatibility
Design guidelines for each area
Upper level step back requirements
Encourage historic buildings to return to original height
• Provide greater certainty
Specific standards so developers know what is expected
No waivers allowed
Most intensive review for new construction
• Encourage sustainable development
Green building incentives
Promote pedestrian and bicycle activity
72. Previous Rezoning Proposal
• Initiated in 2005 with John & Abigail Adams grant
• Version 1 - Some public meetings including November,
December 2006
• Version 2 – Public hearing in April, May 2007; did not
pass BOA consideration in October 2007
• Included:
– Arts Overlay
– PUD C / C-1
73. Improvements From Previous Proposal
Permitting Process
• More detailed development standards and design guidelines
• Not a PUD, therefore no waivers of dimensional or use controls
• More prescriptive ground floor uses to energize street
• Emphasis on building design, with use flexibility for tenancy changes
• Parking reflective of transit access
Study Area
• Expanded rezoning area for a more comprehensive review and proposal
• Better balance of commercial and residential
74. Corridor Commercial District
Purpose:
To manage development along heavily traveled transportation
corridors, especially where those corridors meet at
commercial squares.
Objectives:
• Dovetail transportation and economic development
• Preserve and complement historic structures/character
• Encourage mid-rise commercial mixed use development
• Discourage inappropriate auto-oriented uses
• Promote pedestrian and bicycle activity
75. Proposed AOD (Section 6.1.23)
Purpose:
To preserve and enhance arts-related uses
To preserve and enhance the traditional
characteristics of the Union Square Central
Business District
To promote strong pedestrian scale and
character
76. Transit Oriented Districts
Purpose:
To encourage mixed-use transit-oriented development with well-
designed pedestrian access near transit connections and
commercial squares.
Objectives:
• Facilitate a mix of uses that contribute to a vibrant business
environment and increase street-level activities
• Redevelop vacant or underutilized land with appropriate
density mixed use development
• Increase the supply of affordable housing
• Encourage sustainable development and use of green building
standards
77. TOD Subdistricts:
TOD-55. This lower-density sub-district shall act as a mixed-use buffer
between higher density development and existing lower-density residential
neighborhoods. There are no special ground floor use requirements.
TOD-70. This moderate-density sub-district shall complement nearby existing
developments and serve as a gateway to higher-density districts. A moderate
portion of ground floor uses must be dedicated to identified pedestrian-oriented
uses.
TOD-100. This moderate-density sub-district shall provide a taller, more
commercial core. A portion of ground floor uses must be dedicated to identified
pedestrian-oriented uses, and ground-floor residential uses are prohibited.
TOD-135. This higher-density, tallest sub-district shall provide the largest
economic development opportunities, while being strategically located to
minimize impacts to existing neighborhoods. A moderate portion of ground
floor uses must be dedicated to identified pedestrian-oriented uses.
78. TOD 55
Purpose:
To allow for mixed-use development opportunities in
close proximity to existing lower-density residential
neighborhoods. Where mapped in commercial
squares, development is anticipated to be a mix of
commercial and residential uses. Where mapped on
local serving streets, development is anticipated to be
predominantly residential in nature.
79. TOD 70
Purpose:
This moderate-density sub-district shall
complement nearby existing developments and
serve as a gateway to higher-density districts.
Pedestrian oriented uses are often required in this
sub-district along major public streets to encourage
activity at the street level.
80. TOD 100
Purpose:
To provide a taller, more commercial core, with
opportunities for signature building tops as well as
street-level facades that relate to nearby mid-rise
development. Pedestrian-oriented uses are often
required in this sub-district along major public
streets to encourage activity at the street level.
81. TOD 135
Purpose:
To provide the largest economic development
opportunities, while being strategically located to
minimize impacts to existing neighborhoods. To
offset the density, increased provision of public
open space is expected in this area.
82. Proposed TOD
Use Regulations (section 6.5.5):
Uses Allowed in TOD:
A. Office / R&D / Institutional Use
B. Small Retail and Business (1,500 net square feet or less)
C. Large Retail and Business (More than 1,500 net square feet)
D. Eating and Drinking
E. Residential
F. Other Accommodations
G. Educational/Recreational Services
H. Light Industrial (in TOD 135 only)
I. Other Use
83. Proposed TOD
Use Regulations (section 6.5.5):
Certain sub-districts shall require a minimum dedication of gross floor
area arts-related uses.
(Any combination of defined arts uses (6.5.5.B) may apply subject to SPGA approval)
A certain percentage of the total residential units in the subject
development shall be provided as affordable units.
A percentage of Pedestrian Oriented Uses will be required on the
ground floor in several areas within the TOD district. A combination
of the Use Clusters (section 7.13) A, B, C, Park and Transit shall make
up the ground floor frontage of new construction.
(35% or 65% Pedestrian Uses shall be required where mapped)
84. Proposed TOD
Development Standards (section 6.5.7.A):
Landscaping Requirements – (subject to existing provisions in zoning ordinance)
Open spaces shall be contiguous to the extent practical in the opinion of the SPGA
Usable Open Space requirements can be met by providing open space in unique locations,
such as accessible roof decks or gardens.
Payment In Lieu Provision:
In TOD 85 and TOD 100 Ground coverage requirement of 80% may be exceeded if SPGA
allows payment in lieu of providing the required landscaping and usable open space.
For payments made in lieu of the landscaping and/or Usable Open Space required, the
developer must designate, in coordination with the City and the Planning Director, a site to
which those contributions shall be applied.
Payments made to the City of Somerville shall be dedicated to land acquisition, design,
construction, and maintenance of public open space in the catchment area defined in the
Rules and Regs. This may include repayment of any debt incurred by the City for capital costs
associated with land acquisition, design, and/or construction of public open space.
85. Proposed TOD
Development Standards (cont):
Transportation Analysis - Applicants shall provide a Transportation Study and a Transportation
Demand Management (TDM) Plan tailored to the proposed site and mix of Use Clusters
Upper Level Open Space - Area within Upper Level Setbacks may be used to provide private
or usable (public) open space, including residential balconies, and shall not be counted
toward Floor Area Ratio.
Wind and Shadow Effects - Buildings shall be designed to minimize shadow and wind impacts
to open space and residential areas especially between 10 am and 2 pm in the winter.
Pedestrian Connections - Continuous pedestrian connections shall be supported between all
major points of pedestrian activity on the Development Site.
Pedestrian Oriented Requirements - To promote pedestrian activity, buildings shall be designed
with separate front entrance doors to lobbies, cultural spaces, retail and business, and
other sources of pedestrian activity.
86. Proposed TOD
Development Standards (cont):
Parking Design - Parking shall not face the street edge(s) of the parcel and shall be suitably
screened both visually and acoustically from the street and abutters.
Service Areas and Loading Spaces - Ground level mechanical equipment, utility and trash
enclosures, loading docks and other utilitarian and service elements shall not abut the
street edge(s) of the parcel and shall be screened from public view.
Lighting - Lighting shall be appropriate to the historic and pedestrian-oriented character of
surrounding neighborhoods and buildings, and shall enhance safety and security while
minimizing glare and light trespass.
Properties Adjoining Railroad Rights-of-Way - Properties directly adjoining railroad rights-of-
way shall not be subject to additional City-imposed setbacks.
87. Proposed TOD
Design Guidelines (section 6.5.7.B):
Guidelines provide general standards for building massing, siting and
articulation. It is understood that buildings and structures may not be able to
comply with all of the design guidelines in the zoning ordinance.
Proposed Guidelines address the following:
- Streetwall completion
- Sidewalks depths on major streets
- Massing and height compatibility with abutting districts
- Human scale in architecture
- Commercial bay dimensions and materials
- Exterior materials
- Parking accessibility
- Open Space siting
- Signage
- Public Art
88. Proposed TOD
Parking (section 9.17):
Floor area used for structured parking shall be excluded for purposes of
calculating linkage
All at-grade and/or above-grade structured parking shall be included in the
calculation of Floor Area Ratio
All parking serving a new Building in TODs shall be located in structures
The minimum parking requirements may be reduced by the SPGA for a
Development upon submission by the Applicant of a TDM Plan
demonstrating that such reduction will not have adverse community
impacts