The Zoning and Planning Committee of the City Council has approved new zoning for business districts after a long and thoughtful process, ably assisted by the Planning Department. The Committee and the planners sought out, and benefited from, extensive public input.
The committee began work several years ago with the intent of revitalizing business districts – a timely undertaking because of economic damage caused by the COVID epidemic. Most committee members were guided by the belief that the old zoning rules, which limited building height to two stories, were inadequate to encourage commercial and social vitality in the Newton of today. Councilors were also mindful of the need to allow more housing by right to encourage diversity in the city’s population and address the regional housing shortage.
From the early stages of the process, the Planning Department sought out the views of Newton residents. And when the first effort proved inadequate, planners broadened their reach to include a diverse number of groups for extended discussions on residents’ perspectives. The Department also enlisted expert consultants to offer guidance on the complexities of new zoning.
After the state legislature approved the MBTA Communities Law in 2021, the committee and planners embraced its goal of mandating new zoning to promote the construction of housing near MBTA stations. The committee did a neighborhood-by-neighborhood examination of the ideas offered by the planners and adjusted them to meet residents’ concerns.
The full City Council will take up the proposal in November, and time is a short. The MBTA Communities Law requires that Newton adopt new zoning by December 31. After all the good work already done, debate need not be prolonged. The Zoning and Planning Committee has produced a solid plan that deserves to be passed overwhelmingly.
Tom Gagen
Engine 6 Newton Housing Advocates