by Sean Roche | Oct 27, 2021 | Newton |
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and challenger former City Councilor Amy Sangiolo met in a debate moderated by our old friend, Village 14 co-founder, and Charles River Regional Chamber President Greg Reibman. They devoted around a third of the just-over-an-hour-long debate to... by Sean Roche | Oct 26, 2021 | Newton |
Housing was the topic for last week’s “Let’s talk about … “ conversation, the latest in a series of community forums hosted by Newton mayoral candidate and former City Councilor Amy Sangiolo. It didn’t quite go the way you’d expect. The featured guest, Portsmouth,...
by Sean Roche | Oct 26, 2021 | Newton |
— Click through for the update — Interesting problem before the Land Use Committee tonight. The owner of the Dunkin on Boylston St. (Route 9) near the CVS plaza wants relief to allow them to convert the store to a drive-thru. Should the Land Use committee solve the property owner’s very real problem or consider the broader cost to Newton and the region?
by Sean Roche | Oct 6, 2021 | Newton |
I want to propose a slightly different way of thinking about, understanding, and discussing zoning questions. Let’s talk in terms of development potential. At the slight risk of over-simplification, zoning comprises the regulations that limit the size (and...
by Sean Roche | Oct 6, 2021 | Newton |
We give Councilor Emily Norton a bit of grief on this blog, because of her anti-green housing positions, but she’s doing some great work in her day job. From the Watertown News comes a report of Councilor Norton’s push, as head of the Charles River...
by Sean Roche | Oct 4, 2021 | Newton |
Back in the TAB blog days, there were periodic discussions about the wisdom of then aldermanic candidates running as a declared or implied slate. Lots of heated discussions. Now, it seems the question is settled. Candidates are highly aligned and local endorsements roughly follow the alignment. Even if not officially declared, slates are here.
by Sean Roche | Sep 28, 2021 | Newton |
The MBTA announced that it will build two platforms at each of Newton’s three commuter rail stations, in a shift from previous plans just to improve the existing single platforms. Terrific news. Will it cause any low-growth councilors and activists to embrace more housing along the corridor?
by Sean Roche | Sep 16, 2021 | Newton |
Newton’s mayoral candidates share a common problem: their positions — or perceived positions — on single-family-only zoning. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller will have to deal with opposition characterizing her as a threat to single-family zoning, despite her... by Sean Roche | Sep 14, 2021 | Newton |
What a thoroughly disappointing election. On all fronts. The numbers aren’t encouraging for anyone. by Sean Roche | Sep 2, 2021 | Newton |
Thanks to Jeremy’s comment on Meredith’s post, we now know that the three candidates for mayor — Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Amy Sangiolo, and Al Cecchinelli — participated in a League of Women Voters candidate forum. Click through for the video.
by Sean Roche | Aug 30, 2021 | Newton |
I was wrong. There is a property that satisfies the challenge to find a lot that had been or could conceivably be purchased for (around) $900K and converted to two $1.7 million “luxury” condos: 23 White Ave. Spoiler alert: the example proves that the concern as expressed misses the larger point.
by Sean Roche | Aug 27, 2021 | Newton |
A challenge to V14 readers: find a lot in Newton that’s currently zoned for single family homes only (SR1, SR2, or SR3) and is on the market for, was recently sold for, or could credibly be valued at $900K, on which a property owner could build and sell two $1.7 million luxury townhomes, imagining that zoning allowed a two-family building. Bonus points if it’s a lot within a half-mile of a T or commuter rail station.
