As reported in last week’s Fig City News, the Programs and Services Committee held a public hearing on a petition filed by Peter Harrington and more than fifty Newton residents, asking to place a non-binding question on the November ballot dealing with several aspects of Newton’s Village Center Zoning Redesign project. In advance of the meeting, the Newton Planning Department issued a memo refuting several of the assertions in the ballot question, concluding that “This proposed ballot question misrepresents the current VCOD (Village Center Overlay Design) proposal and conflates several distinct issues into one question. As a result, the proposed query may increase confusion regarding the VCOD.” The Planning Department recommended that the Committee vote “No Action Necessary.”
More than 100 people attended the virtual meeting on June 8, moderated by Programs and Services Chair Josh Krintzman. Peter Harrington and three ballot supporters — Peter Bruce, Diane Pruente, and Sarah Quigley — introduced the ballot proposal, underscoring the proposed changes to village centers and saying there was need for more resident information and input. They argued that having the non-binding question about support for the zoning changes would encourage people to become more informed and engaged.
In introducing the petition, Mr. Harrington, a former Vice President of the Board of Aldermen, offered to “tweak” the ballot language to address the concerns of the Planning Department. He and others complained that the Council and the Planning Department have not engaged in sufficient outreach. He was critical of the MBTA Communities Act in dictating local requirements, and he urged the Council “to allow the voters to express their opinion, then you can do what you will.”
Howard Rosenof, a ballot supporter, said, “I was disappointed that the Planning Department is expressing its opposition to the ballot question, but I note that the objections are largely technical, having to do with the way the ballot question is worded. In my opinion, the benefit of using an even imperfect non-binding measure to help promote a discussion of the voting proposal far outweighs any possible downside.” Many who spoke in favor of the ballot proposal expressed similar views.
Russel Feldman echoed the concerns of Mr. Harrington and others about over-development, the impact on infrastructure, lack of City oversight, gentrification, loss of trees, “but none of these relate to Mr. Harrington’s proposal.” Noting that ballot initiative does deal with “building heights, lot size, parking, affordable housing and these are also very important. In fact, too important to be considered in isolation as is unfortunately characteristic of a referendum process. I believe the Council should pursue its comprehensive zoning process, including continuing outreach and communication to the community relating to this petition.” He recommended that the Committee vote No Action Necessary, “so we can better consider Mr. Harrington’s concerns as part of bigger picture. It’s too important to pick apart.”
Lisa Monahan, an architect and proponent of the Village Center Zoning Redesign, commended the Planning Department “for their long and hard work.” She described its community outreach as “incredible and unprecedented in the city” and said, “I think that the City has been very open to any attendance and participation by citizens. …I think this ballot proposal minimizes the work that’s been done.”
After the last member of the public spoke, members of the Committee and the City Council offered comments. Deb Crossley, Chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee, noted that the committee would be conducting a public hearing on June 26 (Zoom link) and that 6,000 postcards had been sent to residents in the VCOD areas and abutters and abutters of abutters. Moreover, people will be able to comment throughout the summer. Council President Albright reiterated this promise.
In rejecting the ballot proposal, Councilor Humphrey wondered how it would be possible for people to vote on a ballot question with four unrelated points. Noting that Mr. Harrington did not object to adjusting the wording, Ward 3 Councilor Pam Wright said she would like “to be part of a team (of Councilors) to put together something that would go onto the ballot that is non-binding,” as a docket item and would be widely disseminated. Councilor Lisle Baker, City Council President Emeritus, agreed: “I think it may be valuable ……to try to make sure that the information at least gives the full picture of what we’re being asked to do so that people really understand and then we have the benefit of their advice.”
Chairman Krintzman asked Attorney Jonah Temple, representing Newton’s Law Department at the hearing, what the Councilors’ options were for making changes. Mr. Temple advised that the Councilors could revise the language of the petition and submit it under a separate docket item, but they could not alter the current ballot question.
Before asking for a vote from the members of Programs and Services, Councilor Krintzman suggested that the many people who had not known about VCOD were now engaged, and he urged them to “stay involved.” Five members voted No Action Necessary; two abstained. It is unlikely that the proposal will be taken up by the whole City Council.
In a follow-up conversation with Fig City News, Lisa Monahan, who has been involved in the Zoning Redesign proposal for about three years, said that at the June 11th Newton Highlands Village Day, she had many conversations with people — especially the 30-somethings — who wanted to know more about Zoning Redesign.
In another conversation with Fig City News, Councilor Crossley explained that people could write to her about village zoning (dbcrossley@newtonma.gov) or to the Planning Department Clerk, Jaclyn Norton (jnorton@newtonma.gov). And people could access the weekly Friday Packet, which includes schedules and relevant documents for all upcoming Zoning and Planning Committee meetings, and the Planning Departments Friday Report. The Planning Department’s website also offers comprehensive information about Village Center Zoning Redesign.
