Board and Commission Meetings – Week of 5/5/2024

Planning and Development Board will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, May 6 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Site Plan Review Exercise with Planning Team and Utile
• Planning Board Discussion of request for possible amendments to Chapter 30, Zoning to require that building height is measured from original grade instead of finished grade.
• Approval of Minutes: April 1, 2024; April 8. 2024
• Staff Updates
• Upcoming Meetings: Monday, June 3rd Planning Board Regular Monthly Meeting

Youth Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, May 6 at 7:30PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Discuss June Youth Commission Advisory Board Celebration
• Debrief March 25, 2024 YC meeting with City of Newton’s Assistant City Solicitor and the Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion

Newton Affordable Housing Trust will meet in person (Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, May 7 at 4PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Staff presentation and discussion on CIVICO buy-out status on City-owned former Walker Center site
• Project Updates: prospective new projects, status of pending projects, and other information that affects housing
• Potential New Application Requirements – Updated Underwriting and Subsidy Analysis
• Report on the Housing Priorities Review
• Brainstorm Ideas for marketing Newton Housing Opportunities
• Discussion on FY25 CPA funding request

Newton Human Rights Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, May 7 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Celebration of Queer Culture – Julia & Rhiannon
• Approve minutes for April meetings
• Student Reports
• Newton Police Department Reports
• Complaints Received
• Approve Meeting Dates for September – December 2024
• Programming for 2024
  • Pride Flag Raising Event – Honoree
  • Book Banning Event
  • Days of Remembrance Honoring Victims of Genocide – Slides for April 2025
  • Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration – War Memorial Friday May 10th
  • Arlington HRC Listening Sessions
  • Juneteenth Celebration

Transportation Advisory Group will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, May 8 at 4PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Welcome and introductions
• Agenda additions, announcements, and updates
• Washington Street Pilot discussion: goals, process and metrics
  NOTE: The agenda states that they will continue their discussion about the Washington Street Pilot during the meeting. The discussion will include building consensus on the goals of the project, suggestions regarding the public process by which the city can improve safety and operations during the pilot, and consideration of the tupes of tools and metrics that can be used to accomplish these goals.
• Newton Transit and MBTA Commuter Rail Discussion with TransitMatters
  NOTE: The agenda states that they will get an outside viewpoint regarding the MBTA’s proposal to reconstruct the Newtonville Commuter Rail station for accessibility with Jackson Moore Otto, Regional Rail Project Manager with TransitMatters.
• Next meeting plans.

Urban Design Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, May 8 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following (see Staff Memo):

• Sign Permits:
  • 2086-2098 Commonwealth Avenue – Mayani Dental
  • 309-321 Walnut Street – George Howell Coffee
  • 417-427 Lexington Street – Milano Jewelry
  • 188-192 Needham Street – Great Hill Dental
  • 761-771 Beacon Street – Gibson Sotheby’s
  • 899 Washington Street – Eigen Nails & Spa
  • 1391-1397 Washington Street – Ninebark
  • 1197-1203 Walnut Street – Walnut Dental
  • 200-220 Boylston Street – Starbucks
  • 1-27 Boylston Street – Pink Carrot
• Design Review
  • 41 Washington Street
• Old/New Business
  • Approval of meeting minutes

Zoning Board of Appeals will meet in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, May 8 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Discussion/Vote on a request for a Comprehensive Permit, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40B, to construct a six-story all-residential development with 244 residential units on 5.82 acres of land located at 528 Boylston Street; 0, 502-504, 516 Boylston Street; 0 Hagan Road; and 24-26, 32-34 Hurley Place. The proposal includes 61 affordable units and 385 parking stalls. (See Planning Memo.)
  NOTE: The public hearing on this petition was closed on May 1, 2024 and no further public comment will be taken. The Board will be meeting to deliberate on the petition.

Meeting Packet was not available at time of posting.

Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, May 9 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following (see Staff Memo and Materials):

• Violation of the Historic District Ordinance for work done to install a greenhouse and shed that were not granted any Certificates of Appropriateness at 7 Lucille Place
• Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace bulkheads at 1036-1038 Chesnut Street.
• Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to make changes to the front steps and patio at 1036-1038 Chestnut Street.
• Update on the chimney rebuild at 1036-1038 Chestnut Street.
• Request for feedback on project to renovate the existing house, build an addition on the right side, and make changes to the driveways and hardscaping at 16-20 Winter Street – Working Session.