Nonantum residents and business owners will get to review plans to improve the economic vitality and pedestrian environment of Watertown Street–and that’s the biggest single item in the Aldermen’s docket this week. And it doesn’t need to include any aldermen!
Other items are of interest to finance wonks–risk assessment will further explore any exposure the City might have via an affiliated group, like Angino Farm or Newton Serves.
Then there’s Land Use, which is probably the hardest-working committee this summer. If you’re interested in private school enrollments, resulting traffic and extra off-street parking stalls (or waiving them), this is the committee to visit Tuesday night.
The rest of the week you can enjoy Crystal Lake or an outside band performance, or even just a little BBQ with the neighbors!
Land Use is the hardest working committee all year, not just in the summer.
Usually, we hold public hearings on around 40 applications for special permits each year, but very few over the summer and generally do not meet in August. This year, we have had almost 50 special permits so far and have had public hearings on 10 applications in July, and will hold public hearings on another 10 applications in August alone, followed by working sessions on each and every one. And we have met for public hearings and/or working sessions virtually every week so far this summer, which included a number of projects not the least of which is Riverside Station and the Hotel Indigo. The good news is the uptick in special permit applications usually reflects an upturn in the economy.
Your tax dollars at work.
Ted’s right.
This committee works through more items over more meetings…. it’s overwhelming. Perhaps it’s a flaw with our Zoning Code, that common-sense items like less parking near T-stops and other stores has to go before the Aldermen. Or perhaps it’s Newton residents wanting more control. Either way, getting something built around here appears to be a lengthy, expensive process–at least according to the LWVN’s study of the city’s land use process. I’m thankful to have no personal experience here.