City of Somerville Seeks Members for Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, & Urban Design Commission

The City of Somerville is seeking to fill vacancies on essential boards and commissions appointed by the Mayor and coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development. Boards and commissions offer an opportunity for community members with a range of experience, skills, expertise, and perspectives to share their talents and insights with their community.

Applications for the following positions will be accepted through Friday, March 26.

Interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter, as well as any relevant supplemental material, to planning@somervillema.gov.

Planning Board

Open Positions: Two full member positions and one alternate
Term: Three years
Availability: Immediate

The City seeks Somerville residents with an interest in the implementation of SomerVision goals, including job creation, development of market rate and affordable housing, and the advancement of open space and multi-modal transportation strategies. A background in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, and/or land use law is beneficial but not required. Applicants should be prepared to provide constructive input into zoning amendments and development proposals including multiple large-scale developments in the city.

The Planning Board is established to review long-term and large-scale planning throughout the city. It is tasked with approving and implementing the SomerVision Comprehensive Plan and grants special permits for development projects in key transformational areas. The Planning Board also provides recommendations to the City Council on amendments to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance.

The Planning Board has full members and alternate members. Alternate members participate in all discussion on items before the Board and vote in the place of full members when full members are absent from a meeting.

The Planning Board typically meets two Thursday evenings per month at 6 p.m.

Zoning Board of Appeals

Open Position: One alternate position
Term: Five years
Availability: Immediate

The City seeks a Somerville resident with an interest in successful design and development of Somerville’s neighborhoods and squares for the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). The Zoning Board of Appeals is established to review proposals all variances and appeals under the Somerville Zoning Ordinance. A background in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, and/or land use law is beneficial but not required.

The ZBA has full members and alternate members. Alternate members participate in all discussion on items before the Board and vote in the place of full members when full members are absent from a meeting.

The Zoning Board typically meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Urban Design Commission

Open Positions: Two alternate positions
Term: Five years
Availability: Immediate

The City of Somerville seeks residents with interest or experience in urban design, community planning, landscape design, or architecture to serve on the Urban Design Commission (UDC). The UDC provides guidance to applicants during the schematic design phase of a development project and assists in the selection of a preferred design for further design development.

The UDC has full members and alternate members. Alternate members participate in all discussion on items before the Commission and vote in the place of full members when full members are absent from a meeting.T

he UDC typically meets twice monthly on Tuesday evening.

The City of Somerville does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability, or any other protected category. Auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures will be provided to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities free of charge, upon request.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Nancy Bacci at 617-625-6600 x 2250 or nbacci@somervillema.gov.