ZBA still believes Newton is at the affordable housing threshold

by | Jan 28, 2016 | Newton | 3 comments

The Zoning Board of Appeals is continuing to assert the city has met a key 40B threshold under the state’s affordable housing law, despite recent rulings to the contrary from a state panel, the TAB’s Jonathan Dame reports. 

The ZBA Tuesday night voted 3-2 to invoke the state law’s “Safe Harbor” threshold in response to an application to build a 48-unit affordable housing development on the site of the former St. Philip Neri church in Waban, according to ZBA Chairwoman Brooke Lipsitt.

3 Comments

  1. Mike Striar
    Mike Striar on January 29, 2016 at 1:15 am

    I believe this was the correct move by the ZBA. The City should hold firm to its contention that we have met the 40B threshold. However, in my opinion this particular project would be good for Newton. I think the mayor should move swiftly to negotiate a deal with the developer that allows the project to move forward. I believe the negotiations should center on the number of affordable units, which should be higher than required by 40B.

  2. Joanne
    Joanne on January 29, 2016 at 8:13 am

    It is in Waban – it will never happen. You really think the Mayor would negotiate MORE affordable Housing at this location in Waban? I hope I am wrong and Mike is right – we shall see.

  3. Marti
    Marti on January 29, 2016 at 8:52 am

    Have the city planners come up with a new way to calculate developable land? They say the city is at 1.6% now but Lipsitt said that her calculations said it was below so she voted against it.
    “But they [city planners] acknowledged the city could still fall short of the threshold (1.5 percent) using the HAC’s methodology. The officials estimated the HAC would likely calculate the figure at 1.39 percent.”

    I understand choosing to hold the option of appealing the previous decision since this percentage changes but not starting all over again with a new development when it seems even the planners think the city will lose. Is it just in hope that the developer with come back to the table with more concessions and affordable housing rather than appeal the decision by the ZBA? I think this proposal has merit if tweeked a bit. Better to work with the good ones rather than be hit with one that is humongous, out of place and truly unwanted by everyone.