Agenda Text
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Requesting approval of an Ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance to amend the definition of Home Occupation and Historic Outbuilding, and amend Article 7 Permitted Uses to create and allow a Historic Carriage House Occupation with identified development standards in certain zoning districts.
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Official Text
To the Honorable Board of Aldermen:
Staff from the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) have prepared a proposed amendment to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance (SZO) to clarify the uses in the home occupation definition, modify the definition of Historic Outbuilding, and allow for certain uses within Historic Carriage Houses. This amendment builds on previous efforts by the City’s to provide incentives for maintaining historic structures including the 2009 zoning amendment establishing a Historic Bed and Breakfast use.
The proposed ordinance clarifies the definition of Home Occupation and applies that definition to the Carriage House Occupation regulations under Section 7.15. Under the proposed ordinance, all applicants seeking a Carriage House Occupation use would require a Special Permit with Site Plan Review (SPSR) under Section 5.2 of the SZO. By adopting the proposed amendments, the Board of Aldermen would provide an incentive for historic property owners to invest in and maintain Historic Carriage Houses. This amendment would encourage locally-owned business activity and advance Somerville’s complimentary goals of historic preservation and economic development.
Staff from OSPCD will be available if you have any questions regarding these materials.
Respectfully submitted,