Highlights this Week:
- Zoning and Planning considering changes to measure building heights from original grade instead of finished grade, to encourage preservation of existing homes and other buildings, and to require owners of larger properties to report energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (BERDO)
- Traffic Council considering changes to prepare for the Washington Street pilot project
- School Committee meeting in-person (no Zoom) to celebrate, reflect, and plan for the upcoming year
- Newton Housing Authority meeting for an Executive Director announcement
City Council
Zoning and Planning will meet on Monday to consider:
- Appointments of Timothy LeBlanc to the Newtonville Historic District Commission, Nancy Greenberg to the Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission, David Boronkay to the Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission, and Ed Olhava to the Community Preservation Committee
- Requests for:
- Changing zoning to measure building height original grade instead of finished grade
- Enhancing the preservation of existing homes over their replacement by larger and more expensive structures
- Amending setbacks in MR zones to encourage preservation of existing buildings, to regulate the size of new buildings, to enable a wider range of housing options close to public transit, and to better incentivize preservation and renovation of existing housing stock
- Requiring large property owners (campuses and large commercial buildings) to report energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions annually to the City (BERDO)
Land Use will meet on Tuesday to consider:
- Consistency ruling for 298-304 Elliot Street
- Special Permits/Site Plan Approvals for 44 Erie Avenue, 16 Braeland Avenue, 224 Adams Avenue, and 29 Trowbridge Avenue
- Amending Special Permit for 1188 Chestnut Street
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday to take public comment on:
- Removal of one metered parking space on Herrick Road
- Restrict parking on both sides of Lowell Avenue, beginning at Page Road
- Changed parking regulations on Woodbine Street to the north of Commonwealth Avenue
- Changed parking regulations as NewMo will no longer require reserved parking spaces in the Lexington Street Public Parking Lot in Auburndale
- Temporary and permanent changes in location and duration of public parking spaces along Washington Street between Lowell Avenue and Chestnut Street, to include abutting blocks of intersecting streets, to facilitate the Washington Street pilot project
- Rescind the 35mph regulatory speed limit along the section of Washington Street between Lowell Avenue and Chestnut Street, to facilitate the Washington Street pilot project
- Trial of parking regulations on streets near the Education Center to facilitate the solar canopy project in the Education Center parking lot
- Trial of parking regulations on streets near the Brown and Oak Hill Middle Schools to facilitate solar canopy projects
Schools
School Committee will meet in-person (no Zoom) on Wednesday for celebrations, reflections, and planning for the year, plus the Superintendent’s update.
Boards and Commissions
Newton Free Library Facilities Committee will meet on Monday to discuss items, ranking, and strategy for its Projects List.
Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday for:
- Presentation by Lily Weitzman, Manager of Programs and Communication, Newton Free Library
- Preparations for Community Survey
- Formation of Grantee Reception Committee
Sustainable Material Management Commission will meet on Monday to consider:
- High School Reusables Pilot
- Waste hauling contract
- Organics collection
- DEP’s Recycling Dividends Program Grant appeal to Mayor/ City Council
- Inclusion of waste reduction in revised Climate Action Plan
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday to consider:
- FY24 Financial Investment/Review
- FY25 priorities
Newton Housing Partnership will meet on Tuesday to consider:
- Priorities Group Update from David Rockwell and Ann Houston
- Mitigation Fees Update
- Partnership Discussion on Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance: Key Provisions, Resident Services
- Project Updates: 78 Crafts Street, 528 Boylston Street, 41 Washington Street, West Newton Armory, West Newton Family Navigation Center (FamilyAid Project), 136 Hancock St. and 169 Grove Street, Newton Thrive
Newton Retirement Board will meet on Wednesday to consider administrative agenda items, pending agenda items, Director’s report, and correspondence.
Design Review Committee will meet on Wednesday for an update on the Countryside School project.
Newton Commonwealth Foundation, which operates the municipal golf course, will meet on Wednesday to consider Sterling Golf Operator’s report, prioritizing capital projects, establishing committees for RFP reviews and By-laws review.
Newton Housing Authority will meet on Wednesday for several votes on capital improvements as well as an Executive Director announcement.
Newton Historic Commission will meet on Thursday to consider requests for:
- Local Landmark Review: 450 Winchester Street
- Total demolitions: 35 Haynes Road, 14 Rolling Lane, 5 Morseland Avenue, 20 Renee Terrace, 38 Park Lane, 8 Central Avenue, 136 Gordon Road, 101 Alban Road, 84-86 Pennsylvania Avenue, 208 Chapel Street, 127-129 Withington Road, 52 Elinor Road, 14 Rolling Lane
- Partial Demolitions: 961 Dedham Street, 32 Hickory Cliff Road
- Waivers of Demolition Delay: 712 Watertown Street, 544 Saw Mill Brook Parkway
Other
Development Review Team will meet regarding potential projects at 124 Neshobe Road and 145-149 California Street.
This week’s road construction schedule.