Finance will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, March 25 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following requests:
- Accept and expend a $25,000 reimbursement grant from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) for an Emergency Management Preparedness Grant (EMPG) to improve operations of Newton’s Emergency Operations Center.
- Discussion and possible ordinance amendments to update fees related to special permit, zone change and site plan reviews requested by the Planning Department, City Clerk’s Office, and Law Department.
- Update from the Mayor’s Office on plans for utilizing remaining ARPA funds, opportunity for new public input and potential changes in anticipated uses, and the plan for the December 31, 2024 contracting deadline, including how subsequent cost overruns or underruns will be handled.
- From Ward 4 Councilors and President Marc Laredo to the Mayor through the Law Department to solicit proposals from outside special counsel to assist the City in the analysis of the City’s rights and remedies to ensure compliance with, and enforcement of, applicable permits and approvals at the Turtle Lane site in Auburndale.
- Discussion about change and/or policy change to include renters and tenants in addition to property owners when notification is required for special permits, Traffic Council items, and other proposed changes.
Zoning and Planning will meet in person (Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, March 25 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Appointment of Ramzi Elfekih and Hedy Jarras to the Economic Development Commission.
- Request for regular updates on potential projects brought to the Planning Department under the new Village Center Overlay District (VCOD). See Planning Memo. Chair’s Note: Discussion will also focus on the recent memo from the Planning Department regarding the VCOD Economic Feasibility Analysis. The memo can be found here and see VCOD Economic Feasibility Analysis Excel Workbook.
- Request for the Planning Department, with the assistance of the Economic Development Commission, regarding research and develop mechanisms including ordinance changes or other means to assist local businesses impacted by development similar to the Somerville work. The goal of this docket item will be to help small commercial/retail/independent and locally-owned businesses remain in Newton as development occurs.
- Request for periodic progress reports on establishing the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust. See Planning Memo.
- Request for a discussion with the Planning and Development Department and the Newton Housing Partnership about the City’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance and possible amendments to the ordinance to include 4-6 units, including raising the requirements for the number of affordable units in large developments. See Planning Memo.
- Request for a discussion and possible amendment to require that developers and property managers provide training for their employees regarding bias toward residents of the IZ units and how to mitigate this bias. See Planning Memo.
- Reappointment of Charles Tanowitz to the Economic Development Commission
City Council will meet in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, March 27 at 7PM as a Committee of the Whole. The agenda includes the following:
- Discussion on the findings from the Community Dialogue Working Group: Councilors Bixby, Krintzman, Micley, Lobovits and Oliver, acting as the Community Dialogue Working Group, requesting time to present and discuss findings from the responses to the survey and public comment session. The conversation will include recommended actions for the Council to evaluate, approve, and act on.
Real Property Reuse will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, March 28 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Submission from the Planning Director to make available City owned parcel of land known as 169 Grove Street and 136 Hancock Street, for sale or lease, pursuant to the City of Newton Ordinances Section 2-7. The committee will be taking public comment on this item. Please click the raise your hand button on the bottom of your screen if you would like to speak. There is a 5-second delay after you are promoted to panelist. After you’re done speaking, the clerk will change you back to an attendee.