Joint Meeting of the City Council and Community Development Board 06-24-26

The City of Medford, Massachusetts held a joint meeting of the City Council and Community Development Board on June 24, 2026, primarily focused on proposed amendments to the Medford Zoning Ordinance for the Boston Avenue Neighborhood Corridor District. Key procurement-related discussions included zoning changes to allow mixed-use developments with specific height and boundary scenarios across three sub-districts (BA1, BA2, BA3). The boards reviewed shadow studies and debated building heights, setbacks, and parking requirements, with motions passed to approve specific height options for each sub-district. A significant topic was the introduction of purpose-built student housing with detailed operational standards, annual certificate of occupancy renewals, and management plans to regulate student residency and maintain neighborhood character. The boards agreed to include a fix to the affordable housing incentive in the zoning recommendations, acknowledging current technical issues with the incentive calculations. The public hearing was closed with plans for further refinement of the zoning text and incentives over the summer, aiming for a final draft by early September. The meeting also addressed community concerns about traffic, parking, neighborhood impact, and the balance between development and preserving neighborhood character.