The Zoning and Planning Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch the video on NewTV):
- Two reappointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals:
- Denise Chicoine
- Lei Reilley
- Reappointment of Daphne Romanoff to the Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission
The request for a review, discussion, and possible ordinance amendments relative to Chapter 30 zoning ordinances pertaining to Mixed Use, Business Districts, and Village Districts relative to the draft Zoning Ordinance (formerly #88-20) was held. There was in-depth presentation by consultant Tim Love of Utile and Deputy Director of Planning and Development, Jen Caira, on the preliminary text of the village center zoning. Councilors thanked the Planning Department for their work but raised the following concerns:
- Compliance with MBTA Communities Law
- Concern that this new zoning could incentivize teardowns
- Use of overlay district
- Use of “averaging” for setbacks to residential zones
The item was held, with the Chair noting that discussions concerning the zoning text will continue in the early months of 2023 and that there will be two informal public comment sessions available at the January 2023 ZAP meetings.
