Somerville ZBA Approves Morrison Avenue Permit, Defers Linden Street Curb-Cut Vote

Zoning Board · Meeting of February 18, 2026

Somerville's Zoning Board of Appeals approved a special permit for a historic row house renovation and a technical front-door variance, then continued a contested curb-cut case to March. Acting Chair Anne Brockelman led the four-member panel through three cases February 18, with board members Ann Fullerton, Olivia Moubade, and Brian Cook joining her. The board voted 4-0 to approve a special permit for 148 Morrison Avenue, where homeowners Layton and Kathy Collis plan to demolish a three-car garage and 1980s additions from a mansard row house, add a two-story rear addition, and create three total units including a backyard cottage; the permit carries a condition that a shadow study be submitted to planning staff and shared with neighbors after abutter John Golson, of 146 Morrison Avenue, raised concerns about a proposed second-story wall three feet from his bedroom window.

The board also voted 4-0 to approve a hardship variance at 307-309 Highland Avenue, allowing Silva Realty 9 LLC to proceed with a lot split without relocating the existing structure's front door. Attorney Mike Ross's curb-cut variance request for 12 Linden Street was continued to March 18 after a straw poll showed the shorthanded board could not reach the unanimous four-vote threshold required, with Moubade questioning whether losing access to on-street parking in a transit zone met the standard of substantial hardship.

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Source: the Zoning Board meeting of February 18, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.