Somerville Planning Board - Follow Up

Continued from January 6, 2022 public hearing, Rafi Properties LLC proposes to develop a 3-story LEED Gold commercial building in the Mid Rise 3 (MR3) zoning district which requires Site Plan Approval and one (1) Special Permit.

On January 20, 2022 the Planning Board resumed the public hearing. Present and sitting were Planning Board members Chair Michael Capuano, Vice-Chair Amelia Aboff, Clerk Rob Buchanan, Jahan Habib, Erin Geno, and alternates Russell Plides and Debbie Howitt-Easton. Following a presentation by the development team addressing previously raised questions and comments regarding potential conditions, the Board discussed and amended some of the condition language from the supplemental staff report.

The Board and Rafi (the Applicant) discussed parking, if animal testing will be prohibited from being a lab use, if the use of real brick will be part of the materiality of the façade, and that the Applicant shall work with mobility on traffic concerns relating to the intersection of Spring Street and Somerville Avenue before construction occurs.

Following public testimony, review of the submitted plans, and discussion of the statutorily required considerations, Chair Michael Capuano moved to approve the SITE PLAN APPROVAL to develop a 3-story LEED Certifiable Commercial Building. Vice Chair Amelia Aboff seconded. The Board voted 7-0 to approve the permit, subject to the following conditions here.

Click for 599 Somerville Avenue (1.20.22) Planning Board presentation