Where in Ward 5 would it be appropriate to add more housing? Specifically, where would it be appropriate to add large developments? Small apartment buildings? Duplexes and triplexs?
Bill Humphrey
Due to some unfortunate recent choices with potential sites, Ward 5 does not have too much land left (except along Needham St and perhaps a couple parking lots here and there) that could easily fit larger-scale developments or even relatively modest apartment complexes. Most of our options for increasing housing supply in Ward 5 at this point would come down to zoning reforms to allow for or actively encourage more duplex and triplex housing in currently primarily single-family areas, particularly close to our transit stops and our village centers, and especially in lieu of oversized single-family home reconstructions. But we certainly do need to do our fair share for the distribution of housing density relative to the rest of the city.
Kathy Winters
As a general matter, I think it is appropriate to add more housing throughout the city (both as a means to address the region’s housing shortage and to promote environmentally sustainable living). I am supportive of developing a context-based zoning code that would provide clear rules to add incremental density in a way that relates to the existing environment. Larger developments are appropriate where larger parcels are available, but we should balance the need for more housing with the need to maintain and expand our commercial tax base, and our zoning code should encourage mixed-use development wherever possible. Small and mid-size apartment/condo buildings are appropriate near village centers and commercial areas, especially where close to transit. It is important that we maintain dimensional requirements that relate to the existing context, and for environmental purposes, a new zoning code should reduce teardown vulnerability and encourage rehabilitation of existing structures.
Who says we, as current Newton residents, must supplant our current quality of life for more housing at all, be it large developments, small apartment buildings, duplexes or triplexes.
If there is a regional housing shortage, address it in a regional, not Newton context. There are plenty of areas in the region — outside of Newton — which are far more amenable and desirous of large developments, small apartment buildings, duplexes and triplexes.
Jim,
Fact: nobody in the region is “amenable” to enough housing. “Since 2010, the 15 cities and towns of the Metro Mayors Coalition have added nearly 110,000 residents and 148,000 new jobs, while permitting only 32,500 new housing units.” Not only is it creating an economic crisis, single-family-only zoning is an environmental disaster and a tool steeped in a long history of racial segregation.
Sean, so therefore you are asking Newton homeowners to downgrade their neighborhood zoning to allowing dense multifamily housing abutting or near their homes?
Fact, some prefer to live in neighborhoods like in Newton, and some prefer or can only afford to live in denser, higher housing units which ARE being built in the immediate region, but happen to be over the (arbitrary) Newton line. Just drive around areas of Watertown, Waltham or Brighton, or further out in Metrowest or in formerly industrial/commercial areas.
On the surface, creating more affordable housing is an admirable goal… but it’s a mirage, created by profit driven developers.
At Needham Street, Riverside, Washington and Austin Streets, they are building apartments – not condos, where people can truly plant themselves and take root in a community (village) and have an opportunity at home ownership. And most are market rate apartments which are as much if not more than the monthly mortgage payments. Only 10-20% of these units would marketed as affordable, in a system that can be easily abused where the affordable units are not going to those most deserving or in need. The benefits for the Developers far outweigh those who already live in Newton today.
And per the “racial segregation” comment…I recall growing up in the area in the 80’s and not seeing another Asian face for days on end. Today, as I ride the MBTA into work and back, 20 if not 35% of fellow passengers are of Asian decent. In my immediate neighborhood, 5 Asian families have moved in within the past 5 years (and almost all with young or newborn children for those who think a survey about declining school enrollments are the future). Does Newton really have a segregation problem, or do we Asians not count as racial diversity? Or are Developers race baiting to get their apartments built?
Don’t let Big Development confuse what’s right and beneficial for THEM with what’s right for Newton, it’s current residents and the region as a whole. This has truly become a fight of David vs Goliath, and we cannot let Developers take over Newton.
Large companies get tax breaks to move to Boston, and it’s Newton’s responsibility to provide them with workforce housing? Corporate welfare anyone?