2024 . 06 . 26 - Somerville Planning Board Meeting
Formatted Meeting Captions
Meeting of the Somerville Planning Board - June 26, 2024
Chairman Nado: Let's just make sure we're live. Okay, the meeting of the Somerville Planning Board for June 26, 2024, will please come to order.
Chairman Nado: Adequate notice of this meeting, as required by the Open Public Meeting Act, has been provided. A copy of a notice specifying the date, time, and location was:
1. Posted on the bulletin board outside Borough Hall.
2. Mailed, faxed, or emailed to the current news.
3. Given to the Clerk Administrator.
This meeting is a judicial proceeding. Any questions or comments must be limited to the issues the Board may legally consider in reaching a decision, and that decorum appropriate to a judicial hearing must be maintained at all times.
Chairman Nado: Roll call.
- Chairman Nado: Here
- Mr. Rinsky: Here
- Mayor Gallagher: Here
- Councilman Vroom: Here
- Miss Adir: Here
- Miss Warner: Here
- Mr. Crasa: Here
- Mr. Cresties: Here
- Mr. Cleveland: Here
- Mr. Addx: Here
- Mr. Ain: Here
Chairman Nado: Pledge of Allegiance.
(All recite the Pledge of Allegiance)
Chairman Nado: Approval of the minutes for June 12th.
Board Member: So moved.
Board Member: Second.
Chairman Nado: Any additions or corrections?
(Roll call vote)
- Chairman Nado: Yes
- Mr. Zinski: Yes
- Mr. CA: Yes
- Mr. Cresties: Yes
- Mr. Cleveland: Yes
- Mr. Ady: Yes
Chairman Nado: And we still have a pending resolution, and we've got a topic on the agenda. Before we proceed, can I get a status update on the resolution?
Board Member: Sure, the resolution involves the front facade of the facility. The applicant's attorney is working on the language. The ARB approved the front facade, and the resolution will incorporate both approvals.
Chairman Nado: Thank you. Next, the fence ordinance.
Chairman Nado: I'll give a brief background. The gentleman in the audience today, those of us that live on corners face a challenge with front yards versus side yards versus back yards. Sir, please give your name and address for the record.
Bosco Kadovic: Bosco Kadovic, 476 East Main Street. I'm on the corner of East Main and South Richards. We've been there for 21 years. We want to put up a 5-ft fence for privacy, but we got denied due to the ordinance.
Chairman Nado: What was the basis of the denial?
Bosco Kadovic: It was a 5-ft fence, and the ordinance requires 40% transparency for fences.
Chairman Nado: Let's discuss the issue and potential solutions. The current ordinance doesn't account for unique property layouts. We need to craft language that redefines where the front yard ends on a corner lot.
Board Member: I agree, but does it work for every house? We may need a safety net.
Bosco Kadovic: The ordinance doesn't mention side yards, only front and back yards. This causes issues for corner properties like mine.
Chairman Nado: We understand the problem and will work on fixing it. We'll task Mike with crafting some language for the next meeting.
Board Member: I'll come up with some language for the next Planning Board meeting for review.
Chairman Nado: Thank you, Bosco, for bringing this to our attention.
Bosco Kadovic: Thank you for having me.
Chairman Nado: We have other ordinances in the packet related to fencing. Any comments?
Board Member: No comments tonight. I'll open the meeting to the public.
Chairman Nado: Seeing no public, we'll close the public session. Go ahead, Larry.
Larry: In front of the new buildings at JSM, they were supposed to put in larger trees. They didn't follow the approved plan.
Chairman Nado: This is an administrative issue, not a policy issue. It should be handled administratively. Any further communication on this must go through Borough Hall.
Larry: Understood. I just want to ensure it's taken seriously.
Chairman Nado: It will be handled administratively. If it happens again, I will ask for resignations. This discussion is over.
Chairman Nado: At this point, I will entertain a motion to adjourn.
Board Member: Second.
Chairman Nado: All those in favor?
(All): Aye.
Chairman Nado: All those opposed? Thank you.
Watch the Planning Board Meeting:
Disclaimer: This summary is not a word-for-word transcription of the Somerville Planning Board meeting held on June 12, 2024. This meeting summary was created from captions, which may contain errors. For readability and organization, formatting, styling for emphasis, and section names have been added. This account is not associated with the local government of Somerville or any official Borough of Somerville channels. The views and information shared here are independent and do not represent the official stance of the Borough of Somerville.