Medford Mayor Vetoed Student Housing Amendment
Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn rejected a zoning measure after it passed in a late-night council vote.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in City Hall
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On September 23, Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn vetoed a City Council amendment that would have allowed for by-right student housing construction in the Hillside neighborhood. The measure had previously passed in a 4-3 vote following a motion to reconsider on September 15.
Why it matters
The mayor cited concerns regarding the late-night timing of the revote, which occurred around 11 p.m., arguing that it hindered public participation. Additionally, the veto highlighted frustrations over developer presence during the session and changes made to prior zoning agreements.
The zoning amendment passed by a 4-3 margin on September 15 after a motion to reconsider took place at 11 p.m. A supermajority of five or more council votes is required to override the mayor's veto.
The players
Breanna Lungo-Koehn
She is the Mayor of Medford who issued the veto against the controversial zoning amendment.
Matt Leming
He is a Medford City Councilor who defended himself against allegations of collusion with a developer.
Justin Tseng
He is a Medford City Councilor who cast a deciding vote to enable the amendment's passage.
John Walsh
He is a property owner at 200 Boston Ave whose development interests are tied to the proposed zoning changes.
Doug Carr
He is the chair of the Community Development Board who criticized the deviation from previous agreements.
The details
The controversy centers on a proposed amendment for the Hillside neighborhood, with specific focus on property at 200 Boston Ave owned by developer John Walsh. Community Development Board chair Doug Carr expressed disappointment, noting the amendment conflicted with consensus reached during a joint meeting on June 24.
Timeline
The City Council and Community Development Board reached a zoning consensus on June 24.
The City Council voted to pass the student housing amendment on September 15.
Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn officially announced her veto on September 23.
Political Context
Opposing council members and local stakeholders have questioned the sudden legislative pivot from the June 24 Boston Avenue zoning consensus. Critics of the mayor argue that the veto stifles necessary housing growth and disrupts standard development processes in the Hillside area.
Residents in the Hillside neighborhood will see current zoning standards remain in place while the veto stands, preventing immediate changes to by-right development rules. Future council action could still introduce new regulations if the veto is successfully overridden.
The takeaway
This standoff illustrates how late-night council sessions can trigger significant political pushback and executive intervention. Residents should monitor future meeting agendas to see if the council attempts a supermajority override vote.
Further reading
For more information on local legislation, visit the City Hall section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Tufts Daily.
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