The Zoning and Planning (ZAP) Committee held its first meeting of 2024 on Monday, January 8 with its new chair, veteran City Councilor Lisle Baker, presiding. In a memo to the Committee, Councilor Baker proposed that the members engage “in a preliminary discussion about where the Committee might spend its time over the next few weeks before the budget discussion.” Before Monday’s meeting he told Fig City News that he “hope(d) the meeting is a fruitful opportunity to get to know each other, work through some issues and how to address them and build a plan for how we’ll go along.” Councilor Baker seemed determined to create a collaborative working environment.
Vice Chair John Oliver is new to ZAP, replacing Ward 1 Councilor Alison Leary. Among his goals is to be sure that the qualitative discussions about zoning and other matters be supported by quantitative evidence. “Our goals need to be measurable,” he said.
Among the topics on Monday’s agenda were:
- Modifications to residential zoning to reduce tear downs of older homes
- Manufacturing Zone study – its status and next steps
- Modifying Newton’s Inclusionary Zoning ordinance to require development of below- market rate units by reducing the requirement to less than six
- Adjustments to the recently passed MBTA Overlay Zoning plan
- Categories and frequency of data collection
- Use of Community Preservation and other funds so that Newton workers can live in Newton
- Zoning compliance
- Additional steps to promote Energy Conservation and Climate Control
Former City Council President Susan Albright and Councilor Andrea Kelley docketed an item to consider an ordinance that would provide assistance to small businesses impacted by development. They cited a plan developed by Somerville providing a range of resources to protect local small businesses.
Committee members Albright, Danberg, and Krintzman were joined by Councilor Leary to consider an ordinance that would amend the current requirements for multi-residence development to permit more options for development close to public transportation and promote preservation and reuse of older homes.
Docketed item proposals included initiatives to monitor the energy efficiency of larger businesses including college campuses, projects before the Planning Department under the new Village Center Overlay District, and periodic progress reports on establishing the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust. Chairman Baker also urged the Planning Department to show the Committee a zoning pamphlet it developed to help people understand the process.
ZAP includes one City Council member from each ward. Members include John Oliver (W1), Susan Albright (W2), Pam Wright (W3), Josh Krintzman (W4), new member Rena Getz (W5), Vicki Danberg (W6), Lisle Baker (W7), and City Council Vice President David Kalis (W8). The Planning Department and the Planning Board joined the meeting. (See NewTV video.)