Nonantum/Newton Corner Village Center Zoning Input Session draws 100 participants

One hundred people attended the seventh and final virtual information session of the Planning Department’s Village Center Zoning Redesign. The presentation demonstrated proposed changes to current zoning with maps highlighting the new designations in Newton Corner and Nonantum. In addition to the villages’ three City Councilors — John Oliver, Alison Leary and Maria Scibelli Greenberg — City Council President Susan Albright, Zoning and Planning Committee Chair Deb Crossley, and City Councilors Tarik Lucas, Pam Wright, Julia Anne Malakie, Andrea Downes, and Chris Markiewicz were on hand for the presentation and comments.

Following the pattern of the previous presentations, Planning Department Director Barney Heath assured the public that the current proposed zoning was “Version 1.0” and that there would be changes to the boundaries and up-zoning designations based on local responses. He invited residents and business owners to fill out the online form with their comments and concerns. Mr. Heath assured the gathering that the Zoning and Planning Committee will be holding additional opportunities for public comment — on January 9 and January 23.

Planning Department Deputy Director Jen Caira said that Version 1.0 is based on the Planning Department’s work over the last two years and is built on what people wanted and has been incorporated into the proposed framework. “That’s what we’re discussing. People wanted vibrant centers, more affordable housing and accessibility in village centers,” she said. Although no businesses were specifically notified about any of the meetings, the Planning Department always invites business owners to speak at the meetings.

Ms. Caira described the three new proposed zoning changes: VC1 allows for 2.5 stories, 45 feet tall, and a maximum of 4,000 square feet to be residential; VC2 may be 3.5 stories, 62 feet tall, and a maximum of 10,000 square feet and may be mixed use; and VC3 is also designated mixed use and may be 4.5 stories and 15,000 square feet. However, the Planning Department is considering an additional story to incentivize affordable housing, she said.

All of the new designations are “by right” although the Planning Department would subject anything over 20,000 square feet to additional review — but what that means in a ‘by right” designation was unclear. Anything over 30,000 square feet would require a special permit. Ms. Caira said there would be incentives for amenities like open space and awnings, although it is not clear what those incentives might be. Developments of seven units or more require that 15% be “affordable.” And new construction must be “accessible.” She concluded by underscoring that the current plan is not the finished product, which will be based on further discussion at the Zoning and Planning Committee meetings on January 9 and 23.

Greg Klein voiced the concern of many asking why the Planning Department wanted to extend Washington Street development into the residential district. “Why destroy the neighborhood?,” he asked, noting that Newton Corner was no longer a village, having been destroyed by development thirty years ago. Similarly, Robin Boger, representing the Newton Corner Neighborhood Association, expressed concern that there has been little involvement of Newton Corner. “We are a pass-through,” she said, noting that the “Circle of Death” (Centre Street, to the bridge over the turnpike, to Washington Street, to the overpass leading to Centre Street and the turnpike east entrance). “We want no more Gateway Center. We want no more construction without a safe way over the Mass Turnpike.” Jodi Vito voiced the concern of many about the lack of safety in crossing Washington Street in Newton Corner, noting many collisions and unsafe crosswalks, which she said had a negative impact on the quality of life. Nate Gibson also cited the impact of traffic on the neighborhood and told the Planning Department not to put any VC3 zoning in a local neighborhood.

Andy Gluck, a 33-year resident who taught at Underwood and whose children went there, said it should be removed from VC2 zoning. Newton Corner’s two neighborhoods have been dissected by the turnpike, Mr. Gluck noted, and Underwood is the heart of the surrounding community. “It’s vital to hold on to the essence of the community,” he concluded. Ms. Caira said the Planning Department did not intend to rezone public buildings like schools, and they are looking closely at churches.

Terry Sauro, representing the Nonantum Neighborhood Association, was concerned that some of the older people in the area did not have computer access or could not manage Zoom meetings but are concerned about proposed development on Crafts behind Whole Foods. Agi Sardi described the lack of green space in the area around Hovey Street, where they were promised there would be no building, but it is zoned as VC2 and it is an area already impacted by heavy traffic. Pat Irwin asked why the Planning Department had not put sandwich boards about the meetings around the city “to inform people of something so important.” She and others questioned the reason so much development was focused on the north side of Newton, especially in Nonantum, where there is relatively affordable housing. Her neighborhood is undergoing development and gentrification, which is driving up housing costs and displacing middle class home owners. Meg Ward urged a regional approach to development, noting construction on Border and Arsenal Streets. People are using the north side as a cut-through, she said. The north side is “bearing the brunt of development while the south side is buffered by green space and golf courses.”

Both Sue Parsons and Peter Smith, who live on Washington Street, spoke in favor of multi-unit development as a way to increase affordability and preserve the environment. Ms. Parsons said she looked forward to the advent of the MBTA Communities Act because “it is pushing us to develop.” Peter Smith said his is a neighborhood of two-family houses and the residents are “wonderful neighbors.” Demi Stathoplos, describing herself as a climate activist, urged development around public transportation and more density because “we are zoning for the next 30-50 years.”

Dan Shaw, a founder and former president of the Newton Corner Neighborhood Association, felt there was no solution to the traffic and the “Circle of Death.” He said there is a lack of understanding about the impact of One Newton Place and Gateway Center (the large commercial buildings on the Washington Street exit of the Mass Pike). Zoning should be directed by urban planners and not determined in a vacuum, he said. Jim Lee suggested that there be a study of air rights over the turnpike as a way of uniting both sides of Newton Corner.

Richard Rasala referred to an analysis of zoning redesign that he prepared on behalf of the Newton Corner Neighborhood Association, of which he is a member.

City Councilor Maria Scibelli Greenberg, an Adams Street resident, assured people that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is working with the planners and there has been discussion about air rights. She noted that individual property owners did not have to adopt the new zoning designations. City Council member Pam Wright expressed concern that the meetings (5:30PM-7PM) is too early for many people.

Andrea Hauser, who lives on Mt. Ida Hill, said that with Boston College’s ongoing growth, traffic is increasing. She suggested that development should start in Waban, where there is free parking and less development, to which Barney Heath responded that the first meeting was in Waban.

Attorney Peter Harrington, who lives in Newtonville and whose law office is in West Newton, complained that the Planning Department failed to notify neighbors and abutters about the meetings. He noted that current two-family houses will be replaced by large, expensive development. “Dropping special permits are a developers’ dream,” he said. He recommended that people consult Fig City News and the Planning Department website to hear the concerns expressed at the seven village meetings.

Kathy Pillsbury, who lives on Carver Road in Newton Highlands and is a frequent participant in these Village Center meetings, said her son was able to find a less expensive place to live in Nonantum (on Faxon Street) because of the number of units in the building, and she wants more property designated VC1. Sean Roche, a resident of Daniel Street in Newton Center and regular participant in village center information sessions, said density is better for the climate and makes housing more affordable.

Deb Crossley, Chair of the City Council’s Zoning and Planning Committee, concluded the session, saying she felt she knew Newton Corner much better as a result of the meeting. She complimented the work of the Newton Corner Neighborhood Association and will include its analysis of zoning redesign in the Friday packets sent to city councilors. Councilor Crossley explained that the village center meetings were not public hearings, which occur only when the Council considers a “finished product,” whereas they have many more months ahead in producing a final version, possibly by May.