The purpose of this Article 28 is to establish urban design requirements and review procedures for certain Projects that are not otherwise subject to Article 80, Development Review and Approval. This article is applicable to any Project that meets the standards of Section 28-4 or Section 28-5.

(Text Amd. No. 485, § 2, 8-18-2025)

If a Proposed Project is subject urban design review under this Article 28, the proponent shall submit a design review application to the Planning Department that shall include such plans, drawings, and specifications as are necessary for the Planning Department to determine that the Proposed Project is consistent with the standards set forth in Section 28-3 (Standards for Design Review Approval). Such materials shall set forth, for the existing conditions and for the Proposed Project:

(a)

Vehicular and pedestrian access and egress to and from the site and traffic impacts in the vicinity of the site;

(b)

Location and dimensions of all buildings, structures, and parking and loading areas;

(c)

Relationships of primary buildings to secondary buildings;

(d)

Landscaping and screening;

(e)

Roof shapes, cornice lines, and roof structures;

(f)

Exterior wall articulation, fenestration, and other architectural features; and

(g)

Proposed sign locations.

(Text Amd. No. 485, § 2, 8-18-2025)

Any Proposed Project that is subject to design review under this Article 28 shall be consistent with any design guidelines established for the location of the Proposed Project, as set forth in the underlying zoning or as adopted by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

If the Proposed Project is located in a Planned Development Area, Urban Renewal Area or Institutional Master Plan Area, as set forth in the PDA Development Plan, PDA Master Plan, land assembly and redevelopment plan, urban renewal plan, or Institutional Master Plan applicable to such area.

Such design guidelines may relate to any planning area or district and may include, but need not be limited to, particular architectural requirements, including building massing, proportions, setbacks, materials, fenestration, ground level treatment, and other related architectural characteristics.

(Text Amd. No. 485, § 2, 8-18-2025)

Design review under this Article 28 is applicable when:

(a)

Design Review Required by Applicable Zoning. Any Proposed Project for which the underlying zoning or other provisions of this Code requires design review by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

(b)

Design Review Required by the Board of Appeal. Any Proposed Project for which a decision of the Board of Appeal requires design review by the Planning Department as a condition for Zoning Relief.

(c)

For Certain Wireless Communications Equipment. Any Proposed Installation for which design review by the Boston Redevelopment Authority is required pursuant to Article 86 (Wireless Communications Equipment).

(d)

For Urban Agriculture. Any Proposed Project for which design review by the Boston Redevelopment Authority is required pursuant to Article 89 (Urban Agriculture).

(Text Amd. No. 485, § 2, 8-18-2025)

Design review under this Article 28 is applicable when:

(a)

Within a Neighborhood Design Overlay District. Within any Neighborhood Design Overlay District (NDOD), any of the following Proposed Projects and exterior alterations, provided that such Proposed Project or exterior alteration is visible from a public street or public open space, shall be subject to Design Review:

i.

Any exterior alteration changing the roof shape, cornice line, Street Wall height, or building height of an existing building; and

ii.

Any Proposed Project for the erection or extension of a building with a gross floor area of three hundred (300) or more square feet; and

iii.

Any exterior alteration to change the building massing or the size or location of door or window openings, where such alteration affects three hundred (300) or more square feet of exterior wall area, or a smaller exterior wall area if expressly provided in the underlying zoning.

(b)

Within a Planned Development Area. Any Proposed Project located in a Planned Development Area.

(c)

Within a CPS District or GPOD Overlay. The Site Plan CPS and GPOD Component of Article 80 Small Project Review shall apply to any Proposed Project in a Conservation Protection Subdistrict (CPS) or a Greenbelt Protection Overlay District (GPOD) if such Proposed Project, together with previous projects:

i.

adds twenty-five hundred (2,500) or more square feet of gross floor area; or

ii.

moves one hundred (100) or more cubic yards of earth; or

iii.

increases the impervious surface of the site by four hundred (400) or more square feet; or

iv.

is located on a Lot containing less than one (1) acre of land. For purposes of this Section 28-4.3, "Previous Project," in relation to a Proposed Project, means any other project by the same Applicant, or any predecessor in interest of the Applicant, within the same CPS or GPOD, if, within the three (3) years preceding the application date for a building permit for the Proposed Project, such other project was substantially completed, under construction, or the subject of a pending building permit application.

(Text Amd. No. 485, § 2, 8-18-2025)

Notwithstanding Section 28-4 and Section 28-5, design review under this Article 28 shall not apply to any Proposed Project that is subject to the jurisdiction of the Boston Landmarks Commission or any other architectural board or commission having design review authority established pursuant to a general or special law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

(Text Amd. No. 485, § 2, 8-18-2025)