The purpose of this article is to establish the Boston Civic Design Commission ("Design Commission"), an advisory body to the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) composed of individuals with a demonstrated expertise in urban design and its related fields. The Design Commission provides expert advice to project proponents, consultants, and the BRA on design decisions, with particular attention to the public realm, and establishes a forum for the general public and the professional design community to participate actively in the shaping of the city's physical form and natural environment.

(Text Amd. No. 484, § 1, 8-18-2025)

Article 81 establishes the Boston Civic Design Commission and supersedes former Article 28 - Boston Civic Design Commission.

(Text Amd. No. 484, § 1, 8-18-2025)

The Design Commission has the authority to review projects subject to Article 80 Development Review and Approval in which it is proposed to erect a building or structure having a Gross Floor Area in excess of two hundred thousand (200,000) square feet or to enlarge or extend a building or structure so as to increase its Gross Floor Area by more than two hundred thousand square feet, and those projects, regardless of scale, identified by the Director of the BRA to be of special significance. Projects of special significance may include projects that are:

1.

Located on a significant site. These sites may located in or visually prominent from an area of special historic or cultural interest, or visually prominent from a significant open space area or public right of way, or may be greater in size than one acre.

2.

Of a significant form. These buildings may establish a visual landmark or gateway, or bridge different spatial scales within an area.

3.

Of a significant program. These uses may include museums and galleries, theaters and performing arts centers, religious and spiritual sites, libraries and archives, and community and cultural centers.

In all cases, the projects reviewed by the Design Commission shall be reviewed for the purposes stated in Section 81-1.

(Text Amd. No. 484, § 1, 8-18-2025)

A.

Composition. There shall be fifteen members of the Design Commission, thirteen of which shall be appointed by the Mayor. Members shall have a demonstrated interest in the design of the City of Boston; at least nine members shall be professionals in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, urban planning, natural resource management, sustainable building practices, engineering, financing, construction, or land development. At least one of the members of the Design Commission shall have expertise in historic preservation or architectural history. The Mayor shall strive to appoint individuals who reflect the ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic diversity of the city of Boston. No more than three members may be appointed from any one of these areas of expertise. At the discretion of the Mayor, a youth member may be appointed as a member of the Design Commission for a term of one year.

The Chief of Planning shall designate two representatives of the Planning Department with expertise and oversight of planning and urban design to serve on the Design Commission in a non-votingcapacity, ex officio and without additional compensation.

B.

Terms of Office. Design Commission members shall serve a term of three years. No more than ⅓ of the members of the Design Commission shall be replaced at one time. As the term of any Design Commission member initially appointed, or of any subsequent Design Commission member, expires, their successor shall be appointed for a term of three years by the Mayor. Members shall serve until their successors are duly appointed. Vacancies, other than by reason of expiration of terms, shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term. Members shall serve for no more than two consecutive three-year terms.

C.

Removal. The Mayor may remove a member for just cause. Reasons for just cause shall include but not be limited to a pattern of nonattendance, noncompliance with procedures established by the Design Commission, failure to disclose conflicts of interest, incapacity due to illness, or conviction of a crime. The Mayor's determination that just cause for removal exists shall be conclusive.

D.

Compensation. The Mayor shall determine whether or not Design Commission members shall be compensated and the amount and timing of such compensation.

E.

Selection of Chairperson. The Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Design Commission shall be appointed by the Mayor and shall serve terms of three years.

F.

Staffing. The Boston Redevelopment Authority shall staff the Design Commission with Planning Department personnel in a manner consistent with the Design Commission's mission and purpose.

(Text Amd. No. 484, § 1, 8-18-2025)

The Design Commission may make advisory recommendations to the Boston Redevelopment Authority, including any need for modification. The review timeline for each development project shall be coordinated with the Article 80 process. If and when submitted, recommendations shall be in the form of the applicable meeting minutes.

A.

Basis for Advisory Recommendations. Advisory recommendations shall be made on the basis of established urban design guidelines, and where the Boston Redevelopment Authority deems it appropriate and applicable, recommendations shall be made on the basis of design criteria established by the Planning Department, either in its planning reports and studies or in specific requests for proposals (e.g., competitions).

B.

Method. Advisory recommendations shall be reached through discussion among the members at a public meeting. Unanimity is not required for a recommendation to be made. Members will vote on a simple majority basis (of nonrecused members present at the meeting) to make specific recommendations.

C.

Public Meetings. A public meeting on every matter submitted to the Design Commission for its review shall be held before the Design Commission submits its final recommendation. All such public meetings require at least seven (7) calendar days' notice to the general public online via the City of Boston Planning Department website and via an electronic distribution list.

(Text Amd. No. 484, § 1, 8-18-2025)

The Design Commission shall record: the time and place of each meeting; the topic(s) discussed at each meeting; members in attendance at each meeting; any votes taken; and any disclosures by members of conflicts of interest. Such record shall be maintained in good and legible condition by Planning Department staff, and be available for inspection by any member of the public upon seven (7) calendar days' written notice.

(Text Amd. No. 484, § 1, 8-18-2025)

The members of the Design Commission shall be subject to M.G.L. c. 268A.

(Text Amd. No. 484, § 1, 8-18-2025)

The Design Commission shall adopt rules, bylaws, or the procedures for the conduct of its meetings, which shall include such issues as are integral to the operation of the commission.

(Text Amd. No. 484, § 1, 8-18-2025)

The provisions of this article are severable, and if any provision shall be held invalid or unconstitutional by a decision of any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not impair, or otherwise affect, any other provisions of this article.

(Text Amd. No. 484, § 1, 8-18-2025)