The Zoning & Planning Committee voted to hold the following item (see Report, watch NewTV video, and see Fig City News article):
- Discussions on Zoning Ordinance and Map Regarding the Village Center Districts and on State Guidance for Implementing the Housing Choice Bill. According to the report, the MBTA Communities Law mandates that Newton adopt zoning that allows for by-right multi-family housing near transit by December 31, 2023. Changes to draft ordinance: VC1 districts have been removed from the maps, reducing the number of Village Center Overlay District housing units; a minimum open space in MRT districts was added; setbacks have been increased; and maximum height of new by-right development reduced. The public hearing continued with a full chamber and roughly 300 residents on Zoom. Many asked that Nonantum be removed from VCOD, some suggested Chestnut Hill be added to VCOD. Concerns were expressed about increased traffic, negative impact on local small businesses, poor quality of MBTA service, need for parking minimums, and trees being cut down. Supporters of the draft zoning spoke of a need to keep Newton competitive, stating that only 3.5% of Newton falls under draft zoning, enumerating the environmental benefits of denser development, business/economic benefits, housing for residents who wish to downsize. Comments were roughly two-thirds opposed, one-third for the draft zoning ordinance.