Zoning Board of Appeals
The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is the decision making authority for all development that requires Site Plan Approval or a Special Permit in the Neighborhood Residence, Urban Residence, and Tufts University zoning districts, a Hardship Variance (regardless of zoning district), and all Administrative Appeals.
- ZBA Agendas
- ZBA Minutes
Members:
Orsola Susan Fontano, Chair
Josh Safdie, Clerk
Elaine Severino
Anne Brockelman
Katherine Garavalgia, Alternate
Planning Board
The Planning Board (PB) is the decision making authority for all development that requires Site Plan Approval or a Special Permit in all of the Mid-Rise, High-Rise, and Commercial zoning districts; the Civic, Powderhouse School, and Assembly Square Mixed-Use special districts; and the Master Planned Development overlay district. Additionally, the Planning Board has a number of other responsibilities related to planning efforts across the city. See Article 15 of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance for more information.
MemberS:
Michael A. Capuano, Chair
Amelia Aboff, Vice Chair
Rob Buchanan, Clerk
Jahan Habib
Erin Geno
Debbie Howitt Easton, Alternate
- PB Agendas
- PB Minutes
Urban Design Commission
The Urban Design Commission (UDC) conducts design review of development proposals, provides advice and recommendations to the other Review Boards concerning how the design of proposed development will affect the quality of Somerville’s public realm, and provides advice and recommendations to City Staff when required by a permit condition issued by the Review Boards.
- UDC Agendas
- UDC Minutes
Members:
Sarah Lewis, Co Chair Director of Planning & Zoning
Luisa Oliveira, Co-Chair Director of Public Space & Urban Forestry
Frank Valdez, Registered Architect, LEED AP
Deborah Fennick, Registered Architect, LEED AP
Andrew Arbaugh, Registered Landscape Architect
Tim Talun, Registered Architect, LEED AP
[TBD]
[TBD], Alternate
[TBD], Alternate