Zoning Commission Hearing

Dec 10, 2025

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

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Contact Name:
Jeffrey Hampton
Contact Email Address:
[email protected]
Type:
Zoning Commission
Location:
Virtual Meeting
Contact Phone:
617.918.4308

Description:

Register for Zoom: bosplans.org/BZCDec1025

The Boston Zoning Commission typically meets on the first Wednesday (and third, when applicable) of each month to rule on proposed amendments to the Boston Zoning Code. The Commission also votes on Institutional Master Plans and Planned Development Areas in accordance with Article 80. Anyone may petition the Zoning Commission to adopt a zoning change. Following community engagement, Planning Department staff bring zoning change recommendations to the BPDA Board of Directors for approval and then petition the Zoning Commission. Once the Zoning Commission adopts a zoning amendment, it is sent to the Mayor for approval and then is codified in the Zoning Code.

Zoning Commission hearings are conducted virtually through Zoom. The public can participate in hearings by registering for and attending Zoom meetings and verbally offering public comment. The public can also send written comments by email to [email protected] or by post to 1 City Hall Square, 9th Floor, Boston, MA 02201

Agenda

9:00 AM	Text Amendment Application No. 544 PLAN: Charlestown - PDA Height Article 62, Charlestown Neighborhood District Said text amendment would add language to Article 62 (Charlestown Neighborhood District), specifically Section 62-20, specifying the applicability of PLAN: Charlestown’s proposed height scheme to the area of PDA I immediately south of Austin Street, distinguishing this from the area of PDA I north of Austin Street.
9:05 AM	Text Amendment Application No. 543 Squares and Streets Zoning Update Articles 3, 8, 11, 26 and 89 Said text amendment adds two new Squares + Streets districts to the set of options for Squares + Streets zoning and makes minor changes to four of the six existing Squares + Streets districts. One of the new zoning options is the Shopping and Commercial Nodes district (SC). The second new option is a six-story, Active Main Streets district (S3-6). The amendment also makes it easier to create and maintain banks, shelter facilities, large retail stores, and ground-floor commercial uses in some of the existing Squares + Streets districts. Lastly, the amendment makes some small formatting fixes to improve the legibility of the zoning.
9:10 AM	Special Order No. 16 Linkage Said Special Order would allow the Zoning Commission to adopt a zero percent increase to the Linkage Policy for a period of one year beginning January 1, 2026.
9:15 AM	2025-2035 Northeastern University Institutional Master Plan (“IMP”) Northeastern University’s 2025 IMP provides a planning and zoning framework for shaping a built environment for the Boston campus that will strengthen and celebrate Northeastern’s mission. The Northeastern IMP contains eight Proposed Institutional Projects (“PIPs”), which will largely be driven by Northeastern’s academic mission as a global research university powered by experience. Simultaneous with the Article 80D review of the IMP, Northeastern University proposes an Article 80B project to redevelop the 262 St. Botolph Street site, which currently houses Matthews Arena and a surface parking lot, and build a new, approximately 310,000 square foot (sf) Multipurpose facility. The proposed 262 St. Botolph Street Multipurpose Facility Project will address both the short- and long-term needs of the university’s athletics program and enhance the student-athlete experience by providing critical athlete support and recruiting.