On October 1, the joint meeting of the Planning Board and Land Use Committee will feature several small but important changes to our zoning code: allowing level entry to small residential buildings, fixing parking maximum rules, and adjusting our rules on accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to coordinate with state regulations.
Level Entry
Did you know that most front doors in Somerville must be at least two feet off the ground? That rule, ostensibly intended to promote privacy and create friendlier urban streetscapes, makes it harder for everyone to get in and out of their own homes. That’s especially important for people in wheelchairs and walkers, but it’s also a major inconvenience for people who are carrying anything — whether it’s groceries, a bicycle, or a stroller. The only solution for existing buildings is to add ramps and lifts, which are wildly expensive and take up space that isn’t always available.
Somerville YIMBY has been working with council members and the mayor’s office to bring forward a modification to our code that will allow ground-level front doors. The legislative process has resulted in two slightly different versions of the same rule, and we’d like your help reconciling them and getting them out of committee and into law.
The city will also be considering several other amendments we support:
Clarifying the city’s rules on accessory dwelling units, both reconciling them with state rules and making it easier to reuse existing structures.
Adjusting parking maximums near transit
Allowing more flexibility on the placement of front doors
Updating the abbreviation used to refer to affordable housing to avoid confusion with accessory housing
If you can attend the meeting on October 1, please come to support all five amendments. If you can’t, please write in to [email protected]. We recommend saying something like this:
Thank you for working on improving accessibility in Somerville’s zoning code. I am writing to support the level entry proposal, item 29-1259. I would also like to encourage the Land Use Committee to include adjustments from Councilor Jon Link's proposal, item 26-1373, altering the Architectural Design Guidelines for NR, UR, and MR building zones, which will allow full size ground floor windows on level-entry buildings.
I also encourage you to support item 26-1336, clarifying the city’s rules on accessory dwelling units and reconciling them with state rules.
If you send your message by noon on Tuesday, September 29, the Land Use Committee and Planning Board should have it before the hearing.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, October 1: Joint Land Use & Planning Board Meeting — In addition to level entry, the committee will discuss parking requirements and accessory dwelling units. 6:30 pm, online.
Friday, October 2: Somerville YIMBY Monthly Meetup — Join us at Remnant Brewing in Bow Market for conversation, snacks, and drinks. 6:00 pm, in person.
Wednesday, October 7: Housing Data and Technology Innovation Challenge registration deadline. Collaborate, innovate, and build data-driven solutions to the most pressing challenges in housing.
Wednesday, October 14: Zoning Board of Appeals — Agenda TBA. 6:30 pm, online.
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