Building Height Definition

At a glance

What: Resolution 26-159 by Councilor Scarpelli asking the Administration whether the zoning definition of "Building Height" (Section 94-12.0) was formally changed, after residents with Zoning Board of Appeals variance hearings were reportedly told it had.
Where it stands: Director Hunt answered in a September 14, 2026 letter that the new definition (measured from finished grade, or average grade on sloped land, instead of the curb) was presented at the March 25 joint hearing and adopted in the April 28, 2026 vote, as a city-wide definition in the Medford Square rezoning.
Next: The resolution also directs the acting legal representation to advise in writing whether any use of an unadopted definition occurred. No written advice is recorded.

Her letter says that at the January Medford Square hearing it became clear some people measured height from the ground and others from the curb; the curb method is unusual, so the Council and the Community Development Board asked the consultants for a standard definition.
Councilor Scarpelli moved to approve and attach her response to the minutes, seconded by Councilor Tseng. Voice vote 6-0, Councilor Leming recorded absent. Nick Giurleo spoke.
The minutes do not record the Council reacting to whether the answer settles the question.

Director Hunt's response attached to the minutes (6-0).