The City Council met as a Committee of the Whole (with the Zoning and Planning Committee presiding) and voted to approve the following (see Draft Report and watch the video on NewTV):
- Request for a discussion with the Sustainability Team and Planning Department about the new Massachusetts Building Energy Code amendments (Base code and Stretch code), and to consider adopting the Specialized Energy Code pursuant to the entirety of 225 CMR 22 and 23 including Appendices RC and CC.
After an introduction and background offered by the Chair of ZAP, she explained that “the purpose of the meeting was to inform the City Council and the public of the key differences between the Stretch Code that is currently in effect, and the Specialized Code that Newton may adopt. She noted that if Council decides to adopt the Specialized code, it must then decide when to set the effective date. Eight residents testified: Seven spoke in support of the adoption of the Specialized Code, and one resident expressed concern regarding notice of the public hearing. With regard to the public hearing notice, the Chair reported that notices were posted in the Boston Herald and on the City’s website and “email notices were sent out to all building professionals who do business with the City via ISD’s list, and the Planning Department’s list.” The Committee voted to approve 6-0-2 (Baker and Wright abstaining). The Committee report notes that a complete report is expected on February 21. The current report does not include the details on what the Committee voted to approve.