City Releases Overhauled Zoning Webpage

The City has released a completely overhauled zoning webpage through a collaborative effort between the Communications Office and City Council leadership, announced Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn. The new webpage is available at medfordma.org/zoning.  

As work on the citywide zoning review project continues, City Council leadership, the Communications Office, and the Office of Planning, Development, and Sustainability have rebuilt this page to better serve residents looking to learn more about current and upcoming zoning proposals.  

The updated webpage features summary information and status for each current zoning proposal; outlines the steps that each zoning proposal and amendment goes through, and public participation opportunities; and serves as a hub for timelines, FAQs, in-depth information, and visuals for each component of the citywide zoning review. The webpage will be frequently updated as more resources become available, and a short summary of information is below. 

Status of current zoning proposals: Salem Street Corridor District 

The Salem Street Corridor District (SSCD) is currently before the Community Development Board, where it was first presented on January 29, 2025, and the Public Hearing has been continued to March 5, 2025.  

Based on ongoing community feedback, including questions and suggestions raised at the February 10 Public Q&A at the Roberts Elementary, the City’s zoning consultant, Innes Associates, is preparing recommended amendments to be presented at the March 5 CDB Public Hearing. More information about the SSCD is available online, and a synthesis of the Q&A session will be added to the webpage soon.  

Status of current zoning proposals: Neighborhood and Urban Residential Districts 

The Neighborhood and Urban Residential zoning proposal is a framework for updating zoning rules for residential areas of the City. Major corridors are not included in this proposal and will be addressed separately later in the spring. 

The Neighborhood and Urban Residential zoning proposal is ready for referral to the Community Development Board, having been developed by the City Council Planning & Permitting Committee, City staff, and zoning consultant over the course of four public Committee meetings in January and February. Meeting materials, recordings, and the zoning proposal are linked under “Neighborhood and Urban Residential” on the zoning webpage.  

Upcoming meetings on this topic, including a public Q&A and Community Development Board Public Hearings, will be advertised. 

Status of current zoning proposals: Green Score 

“Green Score” is a rubric that Cities use to provide developers with requirements and incentives to meet environmental standards in their building projects.  

The Green Score proposed zoning will document many of the City’s existing environmental standards for developers, creates additional and flexible ways for developers to meet environmental standards, and updates the rubric for what development waivers or bonuses developers may earn by meeting environmental goals. It was reviewed by the Community Development Board at their January 22 and February 5, 2025 Public Hearings and will be referred back to the City Council for a vote in a regular meeting. More information about Green Score is available online. 

Upcoming zoning topics 

Comprehensive, citywide zoning review and updates will continue throughout spring 2025. In March, the Council plans to begin its review and discussion of commercial and mixed-use zones, including Medford Square and key corridors including Main Street and Boston Avenue. In April, the Council plans to begin its discussion of West Medford Square zoning, and in May, discuss zoning for the Wellington/Glenwood area. Dates for additional public Q&As and CDB Public Hearings for each zoning proposal will be advertised. The timeline for zoning topics and meetings is available at medfordma.org/zoning.