Somerville Planning Board 09-04-2025

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Meeting Title: Somerville Planning Board 09-04-2025
City: Somerville, MA
Date Published: 2025-09-12

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AI Disclaimer: Summaries and transcripts above were created by various AI tools. By their nature, these tools will produce mistakes and inaccuraies. Links to the official meeting recordings are provided for verification. If you find an error, please report it to somervillecivicpulse at gmail dot com.

Time & Speaker	Transcript
Michael Capuano	good evening everybody this is the uh september 4th 2025 meeting of the summer planning board i'm mike capuano i'm the chairman of the planning board uh with me tonight is our clerk jahan habib and our members uh lynn richards and Luc Schuster we have uh pursuant to the chapter two of the acts of 2025 the meeting of the planning board will be conducted via remote participation video
Michael Capuano	proceedings is going to be available on the city's um meetings and events page or by email the planning board at somerville ma dot of this meeting is being recorded a bunch of stuff on our agenda tonight um some will take a little bit longer than others so up our meeting minutes on 7 20 25. does anybody have any comments or questions or provisions to the august 7th draft minutes
SPEAKER_06	I have a small procedural thing that I just can't forget how we handle. I wasn't at that meeting, so.
Michael Capuano	You can you can still you can still vote on it so long as you think that the meeting minutes accurately reflect. OK. Well, OK. Seeing no other comments or questions, the chair moves to stop the draft meeting minutes of August 7, seconded by Jahan. Steve, can you please call? Johan Habib? Aye.
SPEAKER_05	Lynn Richards?
Lynn Richards	Aye.
SPEAKER_05	Luc Schuster? Aye. And Michael Capuano?
Michael Capuano	We have meeting minutes. I have a request to continue with, I believe, 379 and a half. I don't know if the applicant wants to Ulster County Transportation Council Chambers. Talk to us, but I believe, Steve, you have it in a written form.
SPEAKER_05	We do. Yep. Yep. They've submitted a written assigned written request. Um, if the I mean, I don't know if the applicant's in the audience. If they have anything to add, they can raise their hand and add something at the chair's at the chair's discretion, of course. But otherwise you guys are welcome to continue it.
Michael Capuano	Other requests for continuance to um The 18th chair moves to continue. 379 is all left. The 18th is seconded by Jahan. Steve, can you call the roll? Jahan Habib?
SPEAKER_05	Aye. Lynn Richards?
Lynn Richards	Aye.
SPEAKER_05	Luc Schuster? Aye. And Michael Capriano?
Michael Capuano	Aye. I'm going to take items out of order.
Michael Capuano	I believe we have a matter of other business, 1 Myrtle Street.
Michael Capuano	We've asked to continue with September 18th as well.
Michael Capuano	I don't know if there is an applicant or representing the applicant of 1 Myrtle Street.
SPEAKER_05	This is Steve Carey. This one is my case. they were unable to make it tonight they initially thought they would um uh if you wish to continue this you can um i don't think it needs to be formally continued um but uh we are playing the agenda yeah yeah if you want to continue it to the to september 18th that would be appropriate yeah we should continue to september 18 second by jahan uh roll call please johanna hi lynn richards hi Luc Schuster hi and michael capuano
Michael Capuano	the agenda items continue okay uh up next we have another uh chapter 91 um request and presentation from representatives from dcr and mass dot uh this is not a public hearing um this is something other than that just requires adoption or approval from wood so wondering if we could have anyone who's an appropriate representative discuss the issue. And as a reminder for anybody that's going to present tonight, your name and address or name and affiliation is appropriate for the record.
SPEAKER_11	Yes, this is Richard Jobrick. Can you hear me? Yes, sir. Yes, thank you. Thank you for hearing us this evening. Richard Jabra representing MassDOT and DCR for the proposed public Mystic River Bridge to provide public benefits to the communities along the Mystic River. So we had a short presentation. I don't know if you can just go through that. I guess you want to understand the project itself. Richard Jarba, So again, I'm Richard Jarba. I'm also here with Bill Conway from MassDOT, Melissa Lenker from MassDOT, and Dick Grotenhaus from AECOM, the designer of the bridge, if you have any questions that they may need to answer. So if I should share the screen, please.
SPEAKER_05	Steve Carey, Sure. And this is Steve Carey. Richard, if any of the people that are here with you tonight, if you'd like them promoted up to panelists to be able to speak on camera, let me know and I can promote them as well. I believe you should have screen sharing abilities.
SPEAKER_11	Yes.
SPEAKER_05	If you don't, I can give you that permission.
SPEAKER_11	Yeah, I'll share it now. They may want to speak. I'll be doing the presentation. It's just a short presentation, but if there's questions that they may need answered, that would be the reasons for addressing them. Great. Richard Jabba, So again, it's this is for the proposed bicycle pedestrian bridge over mystic river again i'm Richard Java been working on the project for the past eight years for tetra tech. On the permitting side, MassDOT is managing the project and the permitting with the applicants and the designer, and they'll be also working on the construction side. And then once the construction of the bridge is over, they'll turn it over to DCF for operation and maintenance. So I'll go over a few things that we got on the bridge in Chapter 91. Again, this was originally for a Chapter 91 signature for a planning form that the DEP waterways requires we obtain from each of the communities along the river. Again, as I mentioned, the master will be doing the contracting and the permitting for this. DCI will be the owner and operator. I'm not sure how familiar you are with the project, but if you have any questions during this short presentation, let me know. So the project's located over the Mystic River and will land in both the DCI Draw 7 Park and on the Semmelville side and then on this Everett side land next to the Encore Casino. This is a view looking at it.
Lynn Richards	and the proposed bridge will be michael um excuse me uh from my perspective the slides are not advancing and since we didn't see these ahead of time i i hope that we can align richard's presentation with the advancement of the um so you should see an aerial no no uh i will take it off of the
Michael Capuano	We can see on the side of the presentation some small... Yeah, can you see the... Now I see it.
SPEAKER_11	All right, so I'll just leave in this view. So again, just showing the location of it. This is the only slide that I had shown that was different. This is the location of it crossing over the Mystic River between Dry 7 Park and the Encore site on the Everett side. Again, an aerial showing the existing MBTA bridge and where the proposed bridge is going to be located, extended on the north side from Everett to Draw 7 Park on the south side. Just a view of the landing in Somerville. It's currently under construction, but this is the landing area where the bridge will go underneath the existing MBTA bridge and land further on the right side into the proposed DCR park. And then again, just a view on the landing of the area on the Everett side, where it will be lined up parallel to the existing MBTA bridge. This is an elevation of the proposed bridge, Somerville being on the left side. It will be supported by five piers, Four of them will be, three of them will be in the river. The red area represents the passageway for the pedestrian walkway and DCR across Seven Park. And the red area on the center of the bridge is the navigation channel where most vessels will be passing through. The design, again, is supported by these piers and some V arches, and there'll be a steel arch over the center span. This is very similar to the project that was actually in front of the, approved by the Conservation Commission, you know, several years ago. It's slightly modified design, which is now a much wider bridge. It originally was 12 feet wide clear, and now it's 18 feet wide clear. Dave Kuntz, This is a profile again showing it. Dave Kuntz, Looking at it should be plan view showing it can where it lands and. Dave Kuntz, Draw seven park and its connections to propose pathways. Dave Kuntz, A couple views of the proposed bridge you looking from that some of those side towards the side on the left side in the right side of view of the arch. Dave Kuntz, Again, a couple other views showing what we anticipate look like. Dave Kuntz, Both. Dave Kuntz, perspective of any pedestrians a bicyclist and then cross section of the bridge show in the separation of the areas. Dave Kuntz, And this is a view of the rendering of the proposed. John Potter, draw seven park in the landing area where the bridge will land and then connect to various paths in the dry seven park. John Potter, Now we got in Chapter 91. John Potter, purpose of this of us getting a chapter 91 is because it isn't filled Thailand and flow tight lens and it must be compliant with the regulations for chapter 91. John Potter, The yellow line here on the left side is the historic high watermark so everything. A seaward of that is in Chapter 91 jurisdiction. So I'll just go over some of the Chapter 91 compliance and benefits. The key thing about this bridge is that it will definitely promote public access and waterfront features. mainly with the connecting walkways, some of which are still under construction, such as the Northern Strand on the north side, the DCR Draw 7 Park on the south side, and two existing pathways, such as a connection to Gateway Park and a boardwalk along the Encore Boston Harbor Resort. Some of the other key compliance for CHEP 91 is that it maintains a navigable waterway. It does comply with all the fill and structure requirements and standards. It does promote and preserve water-related public rights, including access to the waterfront, as well as water-dependent uses. And it will comply with all the engineering standards. Just a little background. The project site is currently in a 25% design. MassDOT is working with the engineering firm AECOM on this, and they are advancing the design now beyond that. So that's explained in this schedule where we're, you know, we currently finished a 25% design. By this March, we hope to complete all the permitting for the project. And then starting in March, they're going to be sending out design build requests for proposals and working with whoever they decide to contract with the project starting in the fall of next year. And then hopefully construction would end in the spring of 2029. So that's brief presentation on the project. Questions?
Michael Capuano	I'll just say this is a long time coming. It's something that I've hoped to see for many, many years. I appreciate the presentation. Anybody else on the planning board have any comments or questions or points of discussion for this? I see Lynn.
Lynn Richards	yeah michael maybe you or steve could ground us a little bit in um in what our role is on this pedestrian bridge um um richard talked a lot about jurisdiction 91 so i have no idea what jurisdiction 91 is um i'm an urban designer so um maybe someone can kind of fill me in on on the lens through which we need to be looking at it from my perspective This it's it's a pedestrian bridges are amazing. And they represent a significant amount of infrastructure expenditures and because of that, from my perspective in terms of ensuring that. that Somerville maintains and increases its vibrancy, the design of the bridge and how it connects to the park, the ADA access, a whole number of different design issues, which we didn't really look at. I mean, it's a small little picture where we kind of saw a sketch drawing. If we're at 25% design, that that's that's that's that's designed to cost and but we haven't really seen like conceptual drawings of the of the like the details on the bridges i've done a lot of work on pedestrian bridges and this feels like a very very little information but maybe that's where i started with my first question maybe it's because the limited realm of our review michael is we can only really look at this aspect of it at which point i'll uh shove all my comments down and just look at that one aspect so if somebody could elucidate me i'd really appreciate it i'll let steve start and i can continue with my understanding of the planning board's role here which is failing i i then i would say my um understanding is it's very limited as well i understand it's a
SPEAKER_05	You know, it's a requirement from state law that the local planning boards endorse a project like this that's affecting a waterway, I guess, you know, adjacent to municipal land. Whether with that endorsement, the planning board is able to submit comments, I don't know. Richard may have more experience with these sort of required endorsements from planning boards and may be able to speak to that.
SPEAKER_11	Yes, certainly. So a couple responses, a couple questions. First one is your last one, is that we did notice the summer planning board several actually in early June with the chapter 91 application and its public comment period. So there was an allowance to provide comments back in June. I think it was June 11th through July 11th. for the planning board then. And then put the project in context. We have previously approved by the Conservation Commission for the earlier design, which was pretty well detailed. We have since submitted a notice of intent to the Conservation Commission for the revised design. So it is actually quite detailed now in terms of what's being proposed. There are engineered drawings available they have been certainly vetted by Massport and others excuse me MassDOT and others and those are currently going through review and approval now along with other submittals to DEP for its water quality certification waterways through the Army Corps they're reviewing it now so it is at higher level than a typical 25% design. And those are the permits that we are seeking at this time.
Michael Capuano	So Linda, the planning board's role here is to make an endorsement of generally of the project, you know, that's been reviewed obviously by DCR and by MassToc to make sure that it complies with the regulations that go in a project like this. So it's not really our role to second guess whether the project has met those regulations. That's for state bodies, as you can see. It would be an endorsement saying we generally support the idea of this. more specific to sorry you're going in and out i don't know if that's me or you no i i couldn't hear either part of it um i i would just say our It's not necessarily second-guess the determinations of other state agencies that made the determination that it meets the regulations.
Lynn Richards	No, I agree with you on the regulations, but Michael, as you will know, as do the other planning board members, we have projects that come before us all the time that meet the regulations and some of them, some of them, the design of which just flows and and helps facilitate meeting Somerville's goals. I have no doubt that this bridge meets the regulatory requirements. My question is whether or not this bridge is probably going to be hundreds of millions of dollars. Does this design best meet and help facilitate all of the different goals that we have for Somerville?
Michael Capuano	I mean, that's- Lynn, here's what I'm going to do. Here's what I'll propose. Yes, sir. let's let's get an opinion from our solicitors to specifically what our role is on our chapter 91 project because this isn't something that we see terribly often i think that will uh clarify what it is that we need to consider see by other folks who represent the recognize the first person by teacher.
SPEAKER_05	You're you're you're coming you're kind of coming in and out there. But it sounds like you're recommendations to get a opinion from the legal department.
Michael Capuano	It is I also I also want to recognize the two folks who were involved in the project who have raised their hands.
SPEAKER_05	Oh, thank you. Yep, I will promote them to panelists. I just promoted William and Dirk to panelists. William and Dirk, you should be able to unmute and come on camera if you wish.
SPEAKER_02	Okay. Can't find the camera. Can you hear me? We can. Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I'm looking for the camera. It's been a while since I've been over the city of Boston with these Zoom meetings. So we're back here. So my name is William Conroy. I'm the project manager here at MassDOT. I work in major projects. I think to answer Lynn's quick question is that we're going to have a 25% design public hearing. October was technically, it's scheduled right now for October 21st, next month. So it'll be a virtual meeting. We'll get all comments weighed in from the general public. Right now we're at 25% design. And that's a design public hearing that's a requirement for MassDOT with our projects. And we look for any feedback from the public and we take those quite seriously. And then we take those comments and we address those comments to the public. So I think that would ease everybody, the panelists. In other words, we're not running around here designing something in a shoe box and then just putting it out there. We have a lot of eyes on this. We're not only working with Somerville, we're working with Everett and we're working with others outside of the community as well. So, um, as specific and specifically working with DCR and draw seven park. And I know when you mentioned some stuff with, as far as safety and 88 compliance, and those are the things we're strongly considering with the bridge like this, from the type of speeds from cyclists. the mode share and everything else on the bridge itself. So all those things are being considered. So at that meeting, when we present the 25% design at the virtual public hearing, which will be held on the 21st, you'll see all those particulars and be able to weigh in and have your thoughts and your concerns heard. And we take those under consideration in return feedback to those comments. Does that help you?
Lynn Richards	or help the panel you're saying as a member of the general public i'm allowed to comment on the design that's correct i just heard correct yep in addition to being a member of the public i'm also a member of the planning board and have a responsibility for the city of somerville michael i like you this this was and i let me add
SPEAKER_02	This is the first time MassDOT has gone before a planning board for a sign-off and a Chapter 91 license, okay? Not just Somerville, any city, town, or state agency, okay? I just want to make that clear. So we're here to work with the Somerville Planning Board, but I want to make that clear. This is the first time. So, no, we're here in good faith in putting our good faith forward with the planning board. So you understand that. You understand that, Michael? So what I'd like to do. Okay.
Michael Capuano	I do. All right. What I'd like to do is is have a put this put this on on hold have an opinion from our solicitor to clearly delineate what the planning board's role is in this specific project. Because this is not only new to us. It sounds like it's also new to you. I'm not saying I. Feel 1 way or another, I'm more than happy to move forward with what the planning board needs to do. I think there is a little bit of confusion as to exactly what the planning boards role is in this type of an application, because we haven't really seen it before and you haven't done it before. I think that would give the members of the board a more proper context. Um, in in how to look at what has been, uh, presented.
SPEAKER_09	Tonight, and if I could add, this is Derek, could you hear me? Yeah. Yes. So, just, um, just as I know it, the planning board's role is, um. Yeah, for the chapter 91 from is that. It is the option of a planning board to request. John Potter, To have comments and a presentation and then, if there isn't any request to do so, then. John Potter, The planning board still has opportunity to make comment, but it just doesn't have the presentation part of it so it's a matter of a comment that goes to dp and then gets included or gets looked at as a part of the review that he's doing that's. Richard, you might be able to shed a little bit more light, but that's my understanding of it.
SPEAKER_11	Yeah, so so that's that that is the requirement under the regulations that you have the option to solicit. They have the option to solicit comments from the planning board. To to TP waterways, if they so decide, and, you know, that's based on what was submitted to them on the application. the plans, et cetera, which are still available and online. They wanted to view additional details on the project. I do want to note that I was told that the planning board, Somerville Planning Board, did actually go through the same process for the Draw 7 Park when they got their Chapter 91 license and that they did do a sign off on the planning form that was originally requested.
Michael Capuano	I don't, I don't think that's going to be much different with this particular project. I think, because this is something that's a little bit more complicated and something that hasn't been from from what you all have said. Done before for for any municipality in the commonwealth. I think we just want some, some, some clarity on exactly what kind of comments we ought to be making and what sort of. Hello that we can that we can give to your project as opposed to generally. I like the, you know. I like the bridge. Yeah, my comment is, I like the bridge. I like the concept of bridge. I think the question that we're going to have for for the next time that we all convene is how much more than I generally like the bridge. Is appropriate for us to be giving, um. Yeah, so. So, Steve, what I will ask of you is to. Make a request of of the law department to get us a little bit of clarity on exactly what it is that we need to. To do here, just because this is kind of new to new to us and new to the presenters in this specific context. Certainly, because I don't want to go either above what the planning board is required or expected to do or below. So, if the answer is. We want a formal endorsement of I like the bridge. I'm happy to give it. But if what Lynn, I think is looking at is giving maybe some more detailed advice or questions. I'd like to know if that's also something that is appropriate and expected in the circumstance.
SPEAKER_05	Certainly, yeah, I will put that request in and try to get something for you guys ahead of the September 18th meeting.
Lynn Richards	Many many things.
SPEAKER_11	I'm sorry, so next steps, you're going to find out in the meantime, before the meeting and whether or not that's the expectation.
Michael Capuano	Yes. And you may request additional details, or you just may find out what your role is and then make, I think we're looking for a little bit more clarity on exactly what type of a recommendation we need to make. What can we request you or what? what type of guidance are we supposed to be giving in in this circumstance yeah okay all right well thank you very much yeah we'll hear from you in the meantime so um so what i'm going to do so thank you all very much for the presentation and kind of letting us get our feet wet in something that's a little new to everybody here. I'm going to continue this to the September 18th meeting, seconded by Jahan. Steve, if I can get a roll call, please. Jahan Habib. Aye.
SPEAKER_05	Lynn Richards.
Lynn Richards	Aye.
SPEAKER_05	Luc Schuster.
Lynn Richards	Aye.
SPEAKER_05	And Michael Capuano.
Michael Capuano	Aye. Thank you all very much. See you in a couple of weeks and hopefully we can get this squared away.
SPEAKER_11	Thank you again for your time.
Michael Capuano	Of course. Okay, let's bring up 3 Craigie Street, which has already been opened. Testimony was taken. We got some written comments as well.
SPEAKER_05	um so if we can get the applicant and team of cravey street up this is steve carey just promoted adam dash um adam let me know if there's anyone else from your team you'd like promoted
SPEAKER_10	Indeed, Mr. Carey. Yes, we have Adam Dash, 48 Grove Street in Somerville, representing 675 Somerville LLC. With us is Alexander Varelis from 675 Somerville LLC. Sylvia Ilya Sheldahl and Paxton Sheldahl from BOS Urban Architecture. We should also have with us Christian Humania from Offshoots, the landscape architects, and Krista Lucas, who's the senior engineer from Howardstein Hudson, our traffic engineer. We were last before you on August 21st for this project. I just want to give you a brief Rundown, so in case you don't remember, that this is regarding the proposed redevelopment of the property known as 675 Somerville Avenue and 3 Craigie Street at that corner. It's the gas station and auto shop which sits at the corner, and it's been in the Varelas family for generations. And the proposal is to demolish the existing automotive structures and build a new three-story, 14-unit rental building with commercial space on the first floor in the MR3 with no parking. So at the last hearing, we had several matters that were raised by public comment and by members of the board, we want to just quickly run through those. And then, obviously, we're here to answer any questions you may have. First up, the abutter to our right on Ibbotson, facing also Somerville Avenue, asked about landscaping and trash and recycling, and we had some discussion about it, but we have some more detail about it now. We did file a slightly updated landscape plan since the last meeting, which PSUF has looked at and said is compliant. Uh, so, uh, Paxton Sylvia and Christian probably can go through that if you want to give them the Sylvia, the opportunity to share her screen, Mr. Carey.
SPEAKER_05	Sure. Um, so you should be able to request, um, to share your screen, I believe. Yep.
SPEAKER_13	Okay. Okay. Can you guys hear me?
SPEAKER_10	You're good. Great.
SPEAKER_13	let me put up my slides and can you confirm that you are seeing a full-size screen please yeah you're good awesome excellent so pass the baton to paxton for the mouse so he can point and and uh so we go to the next site so we just well first of all good night um Thank you for having us. We are coming back to just clarify a few items and some comments. First item we want to clarify and what we heard from our abutter is a requirement that all commercial deliveries be made by the front entrance on Somerville Avenue rather than through the Egress Alley. We can confirm that that is the intent. The main commercial access and deliveries are going to be off Somerville Avenue. other comment was to ensure that the proposed gate uh in the egress alley has a soft close or a similar feature to reduce noise of entering pedestrians and cyclists and we agree 100 with that comment we're gonna implement that next um second moving on to trash um the comment was to reconsider the the trash handling plan basically because of the The concern of the barrels, uh, in close proximity to windows and creating disturbances. So we, uh, they want us to, uh, continue to propose the answer solution on. Uh, allowing pick up at the legal address of the residential unit. This is the comment and we have reviewed this with careful consideration in terms of their suggestions. The current residential lobby. with is at a minimum based on Somerville zoning code. The commercial depth is at a minimum based on Somerville zoning code. So any addition of a room, as shown here in red, space to accommodate a two yard, a two cubic yard dumpster, as suggested, would reduce the commercial space of residential lobbies such that it would no longer comply to the zoning demands. So we also Looked at, located where the transformer area, you know, in the back. And we really don't have the luxury of losing that space for the transformer in our discussions with Eversource. This is really the only place that the transformer can go. And we're getting power from Craigie. So it can only go on this location. So we contend that placing the trash inside our building away from the abutters property is a viable and sensitive solution. We are not lining up the trash and the recyclables outside of the, you know, in the view of the windows, the recyclables and the trash are going to be fenced and enclosed. So the recycling area is in the back of the egress corridor adjacent to the batter's parking lot and their own trash recycling area. So this is, we believe, 100% compatible with the current use and it is far away from the existing windows of the unit. So I'm going to now show a little bit more clarity So again, just to clarify again, where the fully enclosed within the building trash area is and where the fully fenced recycling area is. And now we're going to show some images of what that looks like. So what you see here on the left side is the abutter's property with the fire escape. You see the limits of our fence that has a soft close. gate and the background behind the bicycles you will see panels those panels are doors that open to basically conceal the trash okay so this is within the building an opaque self-closing door constructed with materials that are compatible with the building next we have a view that shows the approach from Somerville Lab towards our amenities area. And we see the location of the recycling area. And this recycling area is fully fenced with a six feet tall fence that has a self-closing access door and is constructed with materials that are compatible with the building. And then we have another side view of it. Next, you're going to see it now walking towards the alley. So it's pretty, pretty concealed, right? Next, we have a view of the conditions, right, adjacent to that recycling area on the property and it's not to point out other than we're right next to that. And so we're kind of in a compatible zone with the way that the trash and the recycling is being handled on their side. And I just want to point out that what we're doing is less impactful on the abutters than the current situation on the property. Here we just want to, we heard also to remove the proposed fencing that spans the length of our building to ensure unobstructed use of the fire escape and allow for proper maintenance and access and that we should allow fencing along the backyard property line and that's going to sit on top of the drainage barrier where it does not interfere with safety or access. We agree, we have PB, Lupita D Montoya- You know, we're going to clarify that our that was an older plan that probably we're looking at, but that this is the proposed. PB, Lupita D Montoya- expense of that fence, which is pushed back so that it does not interfere with the landing of the fire escape and that is no barrier there. And then, furthermore, there were other comments about runoff, water runoff, so we want to just make sure that there is a continuous curve to prevent water runoff and that at the landing there will be a drain to address any kind of water there that will go towards Alex's property. So this is a view of the alley. And we just want to clarify a couple of things here. The 10 foot wide egress corridor serves two purposes. First, the distance This distance, the 10 feet, allows the existing non-fire rated construction of the abutter to remain as is. There's no additional fire risks based on the building code to that adjacent property, but maintaining distance for distance. In addition, the unprotected openings, windows, are allowed to remain as is because of this distance. So second, this serves as an egress corridor, obviously. Any reduction of width would have to be limited to the minimum egress width allowed. and approved by the Santa Barbara Fire Department for planting in the egress path. So there was a comment about providing planting along the egress path and over the brick wall. So we would not recommend installing a living wall here because it is just simply too dark. There's not a lot of sunlight on that wall. We need to keep it clear for the abutters emergency egress as much as we can. And of course, during off seasons. And then to clarify that we're kind of pointing out that red rectangle over there, that trench linear drain right at the property bank will take any water that reaches that threshold inward towards Alex property. This is the point where the curb is the shallowest because it is the landing for the egress. Okay. And now I think Krista, if you can talk about your findings with the curb cut.
SPEAKER_15	Oh, thank you, Sylvia. Krista Crane-Lucas with Howardstein-Hudson. I'm the senior transportation engineer working on this project. The project coordinated curbside uses and restrictions with the mobility division. So as we discussed last time, we're closing the three curb cuts, two on Somerville Ave, one on Craigie Street. As part of this project, the project submitted a transportation access plan, or TAP, The TAP consists of narrative and plans that get submitted to the city to review and illustrate access to the building by people walking, rolling, biking, and driving. There is no more driving here. And so we also identify any transportation and streetscape improvements associated with the project. So the designated loading zone is proposed to serve typical deliveries like USPS, FedEx and UPS. And the project recognizes, though, the board's concerns for double parking in the Somerville bike lane. So we followed up with Justin Schreiber and the Mobility Division and have good news. The Mobility Division, actually, the city of Somerville has a quick build project on Somerville Avenue. that they're working to install. They're going to create protected bike lanes in both directions on Somerville Avenue by moving the bike lanes next to the sidewalk curb and adding new buffered areas with barriers between vehicles or parking lanes. So they're going to swap the parking and the bike lane is how it sounds. So these improvements will address the double parking concern because it's going to swap where the bikes and the parking are and will also be constructed before this project is complete. So that's some good news for the Board. Also, all regulations, including what we currently proposed in the TAP, will need to go to the Traffic Commission for approval. So, though I know the Board was hoping to have kind of an Uber-Lyft drop-off area, we will continue to work with the Mobility Division for the final curbside restrictions along these curbs because Because things may change between the time of approval and when the property actually goes in. So again, we're happy to continue to coordinate with Mobility on what they want and what the Traffic Commission wants in this area, making sure that everything works out for everyone, keeps things safe. And I believe that a condition has been included within that that includes such language to which I refer to Adam.
SPEAKER_10	Justin Cappos- Thanks, Krista. Yeah, I mean mobility basically suggested that we condition this issue, and there is a condition requiring us to coordinate with mobility, which we, of course, will do. Justin Cappos- I think the last issue that came up, because I think we've addressed all the other ones that came up last time, came from the planning board, a member about whether we could include a three-bedroom unit. I would note that we are not proposing that. It would put the applicant in the position of not meeting the various criteria for the special site plan approval and the special permit, namely meeting the intent and purpose of the MR3 zone per zoning ordinance 4.1.3.D. The purpose is to create dwelling unit type sizes and bedroom counts for smaller households and general buildings, which is what we have. So we are not proposing three bedroom units because that's I think the point of what we're trying to do here I would note this is a relatively small building of under 15,000 square feet and actually of that Only it's about 12,000 is residential. The rest is commercial So there's only 14 units in a relatively small three-story building if we were had an 80 unit building in the mr6 We'd have a very different conversation, but that's not what we have in front of us today. I so this project meets all of the site plan approval and special permit criteria and is a major improvement over the fully paved existing automotive use as can be seen from the 16 written comments you've since received in favor in addition to the favorable comments at the last planning board meeting it is fully dimensionally compliant it is sustainable it is complementary to the neighborhood and it is transit oriented The applicant hopes the planning board would graciously grant us an approval of the relief requested this evening. Thank you.
Michael Capuano	Thank you and thank you for the updated presentation and walk through. I think it. Certainly answers a lot of the questions that were raised at the last meeting. I appreciate all of that. I don't know if. The members of the board have any further questions or points of discussion that they'd like to raise either with the applicant, the applicant's team or with with the staff. Yes, Lynn.
Lynn Richards	I feel like I'm the troublemaker tonight. Krista, thank you so much for addressing that in great detail and Adam as well. I think this project is fantastic and I think it's going to be um a real asset towards the the kind of the re-envisioning of somerville f interestingly i was on somerville on my bike uh and at cambria hotel there was um two ubers parked in the bike lane forcing me out into the into the traffic and i was like see this is exactly what i was saying um but i guess my comment isn't directed towards the applicant team but rather to the city Stephen, I don't know, I just want to go on the record on this, in that we as a city are trying to shift how people move from having their own personal cars to bike, walk, transit, etc. And and Michael, a great example of this is, you know, this is conditioned with, you know, they're not going to be able to a residents not to have parking permits. I believe then very strongly that it's incumbent upon the city. That it's the city's responsibility, not the applicant's responsibility to ensure. that we are doing what we need to be doing to help facilitate that kind of non solo car travel. So we talk about UPS and Lyft and whatnot. There's six houses on my street. My desk looks out over it. and just six houses, not 14, but just six units. And you see the steady stream of Amazon, FedEx, the mail delivery, Uber, et cetera, for six units. So having, and again, this we, and I love that we, Adam, that you said that you'll continue to coordinate with mobility, but I would, I want to go on the record saying that I think the city needs to be proactive. And when we're having, Something more than, say, 3 or 5 units built that we build in that 1 or 2 parking spaces will be allocated for 15 minute parking drop off. Like, what can we do to help facilitate non single single use vehicle use? So. I, Krista, I saw that report article that's coming out on the rebuild of Elm, Craigie and Somerville. You summarized it perfectly. So in this particular case, I think we're where we need to be. I just think moving forward, the city probably needs to institutionalize where we can have these drop off zones. So it's more of a partnership kind of going into it that you're not stuck at a board meeting with me saying, what about the bikes? Thank you. So, less of a question more of a statement.
Michael Capuano	Thank you Lynn. Anybody else who'd like to raise anything for the benefit of this application.
SPEAKER_06	See, look, thanks Mr. chair. I'll just be brief saying. HAB-Jacques Juilland. Really like the projects, you know, it seemed like there was general support that our last meeting with a bunch of small questions and thought this was a thoughtful response to most of those. So I appreciate it and feel free to support.
Michael Capuano	HAB-Jacques Juilland. Anyone HAB-Jacques Juilland. Okay. HAB-Jacques Juilland. So I want to Thank you everyone for the great presentations and working with the staff and working with the board and working with your neighbors. I think this is a really good project. I think this is going to be a great improvement to the neighborhood. It's going to be a great improvement for the city. Not to say that current business isn't one that I've used quite a bit, but it's a step in a great direction. So I want to thank all of you for this and thank staff for ushering it through. So I've got two, I believe. Uh, 2 motions that need to be taken, um, so following public testimony review of the submitted materials and deliberation of the required considerations outlined by the zoning ordinance. I moved to approve with the conditions outlined in the staff memorandum, the site plan approval to develop a general building in the district. 2nd, invite John Steve. Can you please call the role?
SPEAKER_05	Hi. Lynn Richards. Hi. Luc Schuster. Hi. And Michael Capagotto.
Michael Capuano	Hi. And the next vote that we need to take is following public testimony review of the submitted materials and deliberation of the required considerations and findings outlined by the ordinance. I move to approve with the conditions outlined in the staff memorandum, the request to establish a residential housing use in the zoning district. 2nd, and by John. Steve, please.
SPEAKER_05	Chair Max Fennell, Apologies, I was muted john. Chair Max Fennell, hi. Chair Max Fennell, Lynn Richards. Chair Max Fennell, hi. Chair Max Fennell, Luc Schuster. Chair Max Fennell, hi.
SPEAKER_10	Chair Max Fennell, And Michael caprano. Chair Max Fennell, I congratulations, good luck. Chair Max Fennell, Thank you, Mr chair members of the. Chair Max Fennell, Members of the board and staff see you next time. Chair Max Fennell, Of course.
Michael Capuano	Chair Max Fennell, Thank you. Chair Max Fennell, Okay, so let this. Chair Max Fennell, Team log off and welcome in.
SPEAKER_00	59 bow street and before we do that i'm going to ask the clerk of the planning board to read into the record the notice of public hearing absolutely mr chair 59 bow street 59-61 bow street llc seeks a major amendment to the previously issued site plan approval pnz21-017 in the mr5 zoning district zp24-000099 59-61 Bow Street LLC seeks a major amendment to a previously issued special permit PNC 21-017 in the MR5 zoning district, ZP24-000098. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, John. I am.
SPEAKER_07	Good evening, Chairman Capuano, members of the Planning Board, Attorney Anne Vigorito for the applicant, 424 Broadway, Somerville, Massachusetts. I'd like to ask that Tanya Carrier from CalSER Design be promoted as well as Noria Spalas from CalSER as well. We also have Alon Sassoon here is the applicant if he could be promoted just in case there's questions for him. But as, you know, we're looking for a major amendment. We were before you on this project. Oh, goodness. 2 and a half years ago back in March of 2024 and some things have occurred along the way is we're used to this 4th key. uh elements for this evening number one a revision to the unit count and unit type mix uh revisions to the floor plans the building exterior and design revisions as well as the bicycle parking uh this was originally going to be 15 units it is now 13. so Mathematically, that would have been 3 affordable units that now goes to 2.6. So the applicant will have to pay a fractional share to the city. As it's not an even number, but I just thought I would bring that out. I'm going to ask now that Tanya. Carrier has put together a slide show. I think it's best we go through that and then we can discuss questions and concerns from the board. Thank you.
SPEAKER_14	Good evening. Tanya Carrier from CULSA Design. Just confirming you can see my screen. Yes. Okay. All right. So I'll give a short presentation. I have some before and afters just to show exactly what changed or what we are proposing to change this evening. So here's a brief summary. The main change that we faced was that the basement that was formerly proposed became infeasible. unfeasible, the groundwater levels were shown to be too high and shoring the foundation was going to be quite difficult, given the proximity to the existing buildings adjacent to the site. So our change is to eliminate the basement level. Originally, the bike storage and mechanical area was in that level. So this would allow us to bring the bike storage room up to grade level, providing easier access for using the bikes. And with that change is where our unit count change. Basically, the two ground floor units would be eliminated for those changes. Additional changes are to the fifth story. We changed a two-bedroom unit to a one-bedroom unit, and this was in order to provide a new common lounge area for the resident use, with also two roof decks to provide some outdoor amenity space for a common area in the building. And these roof decks are also intended to replace six eliminated balconies. The electrical wires were quite close to the building on Bow Street Place side. So Eversource has asked us to eliminate those balconies on that side to provide the proper clearance. And then on the exterior design, the balconies is the main change, replacing those with the shared roof deck. And then we have a minor change to the restaurant entry door um which you'll see in a moment and on the bow street side a minor change to the material of that area so let's just get right into the plans um so above is our previously approved basement plan at the top and then first floor so you can see our basement had the bike parking and mechanical area with eliminating the basement from the scope of work we would now move the bike room up to grade level have a mechanical at the end of the building And also have our our trash room reconfigured so that our vestibule could remain in the Center with this change, we were able to slightly increase the commercial area, providing a more usable space that might be easier to lease in that sit vacant and that was kind of the main change for the first floor. On the fifth floor. Karen Hollweg, Previously approved, we had one large unit large two bedroom unit that took up the whole floor and had three private decks what we've changed is we've made that into a smaller unit, which is more fitting. Karen Hollweg, To the building and comparable to the other units in the building and we have a common residential area which has two common decks where residents in any unit can go out to enjoy the the green roof and kind of the fifth floor area. OSBT-Karen Hollweg- Now on both street place elevation above is our previously approved, where you see, we had nine total balconies. OSBT-Karen Hollweg- What we are proposing now is to keep the three that are not too close to the power lines. OSBT-Karen Hollweg- Just to the left of the page and eliminate the other six balconies. OSBT-Karen Hollweg- On both streets side. OSBT-Karen Hollweg- This side of the building is adjacent to the existing yellow. HAB-Juliette Boone, Two and a half story building here and then adjacent to that there's even a taller building so it's going to have very low visibility, so what we did was we wrapped the brick. HAB-Juliette Boone, In our new proposal, instead of having break the entire length we wrapped it to where the massing breaks, providing a nice visual break and change that to a semanticious panel. HAB-Juliette Boone, And this is a very minor change to the. commercial space. This rendering was very schematic. Once we got into structural design with the engineer, we're needing supporting posts here. So we thought we would frame this out with a nice brick detailing accent at the commercial area, and it really highlights the entry. And for our summary of original unit count and bedroom counts and proposed, Originally we had 15 proposed total units. Now we have 13. And two bedrooms, we had three. Now we have two. One bedroom stayed the same at nine, and studios decreased from three to two. And that's our presentation. We'd like to turn it over in case HAB-Juliette Boone, Oh, I do have one additional it's not in the slideshow but today was added that the ever so it was added to the staff memo last minute that ever source needs to provide. HAB-Juliette Boone, approval of the location before the before the planning board could consider approving the project, so I did pull that up, we have worked with every source and on this design for the transformer vault on both street place and receive that work order number. So, that is all set there as well. So, I'll turn it over. So we have time for questions.
Michael Capuano	And I don't know if anybody else on your team has any more presentation, or if it's back to us for the time being.
SPEAKER_07	I think it's back to you, Mr chairman.
Michael Capuano	Okay, thank you very much. So. Tanya and team, it seems to me the way you were describing it is a lot of the revisions were derived from that that that basement level that is is going to flood and the. Balcony space that isn't necessarily going to be feasible to build the way you thought it was. So that required some reconfiguration of of the outdoor space of the building. Do I do I have that? Right? That's that's how I think I understood your presentation. I just want to make sure I'm thinking about it in the right way.
SPEAKER_07	Yes, and the outdoor space is now being replaced by a roof deck, which in some ways may be a lot nicer.
Michael Capuano	I, I would love 1. okay. And then the ever source issue, it is what you showed me Tanya a few seconds ago. Is that confirmation from ever source that you can do what you wanted to do with the transformer under underground? Or is that.
SPEAKER_14	Yeah, so this is this is the proposal. But it has been worked out with every source.
Michael Capuano	Do we have some sort of a confirmation from a question for for you for an or for Madison? Do we have. Confirmation from episodes that this is something that can happen.
SPEAKER_14	So I believe this is the confirmation, but I will let Anne or Ilan speak further.
SPEAKER_07	This is something that Ilan received. And when we learned of this in the updated staff report, he had had it in his email. So, I mean, Ilan received this and this is what they tell him is confirmation. I mean, if you need to ask any questions of Ilan, he's here and he'll answer it.
Michael Capuano	I can ask Ilana. I'd also like to ask, I believe Madison is the case planner, just to make sure that this satisfies staff's requirements for what you'd expect from Eversource to be able to move ahead with this proposed change.
SPEAKER_12	I believe staff would have to look at this to confirm because I'm not exactly sure what I'm looking at right now.
SPEAKER_16	I'm happy to tell you, Mr. Chairman. Can you hear me? Yes.
Michael Capuano	Oh, so, so whenever source of anytime, I know it's you, but for the purpose of the record, just a brief introduction.
SPEAKER_16	Hi, I'm Elon Sassoon. I'm the developer of 59 Bow Street. Um, so the, uh, I'll turn my video on here. So the, um, whenever source approves a project, they do the, um, They give you a work order number. And they always seem to put this engineering stamp on here on every single one they have. But if we show this to the electrical department, they'll tell you that this is how they do it. And so this is an approved Eversource design plan. When they issue the work order number, it's an approved Eversource design plan.
Michael Capuano	I appreciate that. That clarity on the planning board is not going to move forward with this application tonight as we'll always leave projects of kind of this size open for a couple of for a week or so of public comment. And in the interim, they will give Madison and everybody the opportunity to review what this is. Make sure that we have what we need. I don't doubt what you're representing to me at all, but it'll just give us an extra. A little bit of time to make sure that we're buttoned up the way that we need to be because we were going to leave the written comment open on this project anyway, for for a couple of weeks. Okay, so thank you. Madison, is there anything else that. You need to bring up to the board any concerns outside of what we've seen in staff memoranda.
SPEAKER_12	Um, I don't believe so everything else in the project has been reviewed for compliance and came up. Okay.
Michael Capuano	Yeah, wonderful. Does anybody else have any comments or questions of staff or Madison from the planning board before I open it up to public testimony? Seeing none, what I'd like to do is open up the public hearing to anybody that wants to speak in support of the application. If you would like to do that, please hit the raised hand button and we'll call on you. Going once, going twice. I'm going to close that portion of the public hearing. And I'm going to open it up to anybody that wants to speak in opposition to the application, or otherwise express concern. Going once going twice. Seeing no hands, I'm going to close that portion of the public hearing and, um. Our next meeting is the 18th of September and the Friday before that is the 12th. So, unless anybody on the board has anything that they would like to raise with the applicant before we. Move ahead with with continuing them for a couple of weeks. Okay, seeing none. Uh, the written comment period will be left open until the. The 12th at 9 a.m. planning board at some of them a dot Gov. And there's no further comments by the planning board. I want to thank the applicant and their team for a nice presentation. It looks like a good project and reasonable and understandable revisions from the last time we saw you. So, the chain moves continue this agenda item to the 18th, seconded by Jahan. Steve, can we have a roll call?
SPEAKER_05	Hi, Lynn Richards. Hi. Luc Schuster. Hi, Michael Capuano.
Michael Capuano	Hi, thank you very much.
SPEAKER_07	Thank you. We'll see you on the 18th.
Michael Capuano	Of course. I don't think Steve, if there's anything else on the agenda outside of the. Open item of other business that anybody might want to raise. That is correct. I don't see anything else either. Yeah. Does anybody else having the watch out about that's that's that's not project specific and will violate the notice and loss. I do want to say I'm looking forward to the beginning of the NFL season. And I appreciate that this meeting didn't go so long. Okay. It's good to see you all. And see you in a couple of weeks. Chair moves to adjourn. Seconded by Jahan. Steve, roll call, please.
SPEAKER_05	Jahan Habib. Aye. Lynn Richards. Aye.
Michael Capuano	Luc Schuster.
SPEAKER_05	Aye. And Michael Capuano.
Unknown Speaker	Aye.
Michael Capuano	Thanks, everybody. See you soon. Have a good night.