Article 80 Modernization Focus Group Recap
July 21, 2025
on Tuesday July 15 we convened an Article 80 Modernization Focus Group with Nupoor Monani and Kevin Crossley of the Boston Planning Department as they briefed members of A Better City on the latest changes in the Article 80 Development Review process. The changes include proposed zoning language changes, Early Action operational changes, and Long-Term changes.
You can review their slides here and a full recording here.
The language changes are:
- Updated Thresholds for review and procedures for the Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC)
- Support for residential conversions, sustainability, and reinvestment
- Modernized communications methods
- Adjusting the Zoning Code to harmonize with existing procedures
- Improvement of City-wide coordination
- Removal of language contradictions and improved usability
The basic approach is to learn lessons from experience to bring procedures, and threshold triggers up to date with current best practices. The BCDC will also be changing its bylaws to provide clarity for public participation in the review process. A new Article 81 in the Zoning Code will now cover BCDC procedures. Outdated language and methods will be replaced in the code, and new review procedures will facilitate coordination of review among the range of city agencies with jurisdiction on development.
Changes sought in the culture of the Planning Department and development review are a critical part of this approach, with three Early Action directions for:
- Effective engagement
- Consistent standards, and
- Coordinated review
The details of these Early Actions are consistent with comments received in previous public discussion. The changes will be implemented as they are ready and will be evaluated as part of a one-year pilot.
In the future, more Long-Term actions will be implemented following more discussion with the public and interested stakeholders.
Participants in the briefing offered helpful comments and generally supported the direction of the changes in the Zoning code and associated procedures.
If you have any follow up questions or comments, please reach out to Tom Nally.
