Joint Zoning & Planning Committee

On Monday, June 25th, tonight, the Committee will meet ‪at 7:00 p.m.‬ in Room 205/Council Chamber. The below will be discussed.

Zoning and Planning
Chair: Councilor Albright
Vice-Chair: Councilor Danberg
Members: Councilors Leary, Brousal-Glaser, Krintzman, Downs, Baker and Kalis

Committee Clerk: Karyn Dean, [email protected]

#201-18,
Zoning amendment to limit residential portion of business zone developments COUNCILOR GENTILE, MARKIEWICZ, COTE AND NORTON requesting amendments to Chapter 30, Newton Zoning Ordinance, to require that any development in a business zone, limit the residential portion of the project to 50% of the total development. Public Hearing Closed 5/29/18

#202-18
Zoning amendment to Mixed Used 4 district
COUNCILOR GENTILE MARKIEWICZ, COTE AND NORTON requesting amendments to Chapter 30, Newton Zoning Ordinance, so that the Mixed Used 4 (MU4) zone is either eliminated; or the dimensional controls are a reduced; or a moratorium of two years be placed on any new MU4 development; or any combination of these three action. Public Hearing Closed 5/29/18

#203-18
Zoning amendment for moratorium on zone changes/construction on Washington St.
COUNCILOR GENTILE AND NORTON requesting amendments to Chapter 30,
Newton Zoning Ordinance, to adopt an immediate moratorium on any zone changes and/or construction/development along both sides of Washington Street, including abutting properties, from the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue Washington Street in Auburndale/West Newton, to the intersection of Washington Street and Centre Street in Newton Corner. This moratorium shall remain in place until Zoning Redesign and the proposed “actionable plan for the Washington Street Corridor” are completed. This moratorium does not apply to by right construction/development that is currently allowed by the Newton Zoning Ordinances. This moratorium shall expire on September 30, 2019. Public Hearing Closed 5/29/18

In summary, 

#201-18 would require development in a business zone limit the residential portion to no more than 50%.

#202-18 would require that the zone

1. Mixed Use 4 (MU-4) is eliminated or 

2. It’s dimensional controls are reduced or  

3. A moratorium of two years be placed on any new MU4 development or

4. Any combination of these three actions

203-18 would require an immediate moratorium on any zone changes and/or construction/development along both sides of Washington Street, including abutting properties, from the intersection of Commonwealth Avenue Washington Street in Auburndale/West Newton, to the intersection of Washington Street and Centre Street in Newton Corner.

Thoughts:

All of these amendments would be detrimental to the economic sustainability and vitality of Newton.

Total misconceptions and misrepresentations of the MU 4 zone being are being circulated by blast emails and on various listservs and Facebook pages. This zone provides both commercial businesses and their patrons. The height of these building is 4 to 5 stories.

Washington Street, and it’s side streets have many plans for development being discussed that are over the top of what should be legitimately built there. 14 story apartment buildings, inappropriate additions to historical buildings, removal of the park in West Newton Square and bland buildings that incorporate none of the historical character of Newton. There are proven ways to add new buildings that accentuate and blend well into their surroundings  

Preservation Brief on https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/14-exterior-additions.htm shows 14 buildings where new exterior additions to old buildings are done while preserving its character and style. Bad ones are shown too.

Main Street America has tools for planning for both towns and cities. https://www.mainstreet.org/howwecanhelp/resourcecenter

Livibility incorporates more that safer streets, walkability, housing and retail.