Among the most discussions was the board’s plan to address stormwater management issues. The board has established a framework that will be refined in the upcoming meetings, focusing on recommendations to present to the council. The planning board aims to finalize these details in the next meeting, which will also include input from the environmental commission.

Additionally, the board plans to review and potentially expand the East Central Business District (ECBD) to incorporate county properties. This expansion is seen as a strategic move to align with the board’s long-term vision for Somerville’s development. Detailed discussions on bulk standards for the East Main Street project and redevelopment zones will be revisited, with particular attention to ensuring these areas meet current needs and future growth.

The board also touched on the timeline for updating the master plan, emphasizing the need for input from various committees. This process is set to begin in February, with an organized review and collection of comments from different stakeholders to guide planning efforts. The review will ensure that all relevant perspectives are considered as the board moves forward with its agenda.

Finally, the board briefly discussed the tree ordinance, which will follow the completion of stormwater management discussions. This ordinance is part of the board’s broader environmental focus and will be revisited in the coming months. The council has also tasked the planning board with preparing details for new areas of need, particularly in the West End, which will be addressed promptly.