City Council Chairs will meet in person (Room 205) virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, October 7 at 6:30PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Discussion and Review of draft policy on Council communications and posting on City website best practices.
- Discussion and Review of draft policy on how Councilors on working/task force groups convey information to full City Council.
- Other topics that may be raised by Councilors
City Council will meet in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, October 7 at 7:45PM. See Reports Docket and New Docket. Watch a live broadcast of the meeting on NewTV’s government channel (Comcast 9, RCN 13, 614(HD), Verizon 33) or NewTV’s Youtube Channel.
Financial Audit Advisory Committee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, October 8 at 8AM. The agenda includes the following:
- Preliminary Audit Work Performed To-Date
- Update on Year-End Phase of the Audit
- Special Projects Update
- Single Audit/ Federal Grants Status
- Timing of Final Reports/ Meeting schedule
- Questions/Concerns
Public Safety and Transportation will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, October 9 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Recommendation from the Mayor for the following individuals to be appointed to the Police Chief Selection Committee:
- Karl O’Hara, business executive of the city of Newton
- Michelle Leung, attorney
- Judge Nancy Holtz, member of the Judiciary
- Chief Kevin O’Connell, Massachusetts Police Chiefs Association
- Derege B. Demissie, citizen of the city of Newton
- Rabbi Keith Stern, citizen of the city of Newton
- Officer John Panica, Newton Police Association.
- Recommendation from the Council President that the following individuals be appointed to the Police Chief Selection Committee:
- Councilor Tarik Lucas
- Dr. Lauren Solotar
- Request for discussion and possible ordinance change on the categories and levels of parking fines and whether adjustments are needed
- Request for discussion and possible ordinance change on residential parking programs and fee structures and whether adjustments are needed
Public Facilities will meet in person (Room 205) and virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, October 9 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following requests:
- Grant of location in a manhole in Wells Avenue south of Nahanton Street
- Grant of location to install and maintain one new jointly owned pole on the north side of Christina Street, west of Bernard Street
- Discussion with DPW for an update on Newton’s water, sewer, stormwater infrastructure, cost savings from these upgrades, present position, and future work planned to upgrade the infrastructure including a timeline
- Discussion on private ways; methods for them to become public ways if requested, problems related to private ways; and any possible ordinance changes needed.
Programs and Services regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled. See Meeting Cancellation Notice.
Zoning and Planning will meet in person (Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, October 10 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
Chair’s Note: The Chair will entertain a motion to set a public hearing for Thursday, November 14 for the following two requests:
- Discussion and possible amendments to dormer regulations for Residential Building to clarify language regarding overall dormer-length calculations. See Planning Memo.
- Discussion and possible amendments to retaining wall regulations for Multi Family/Commercial/Industrial/Civic Buildings. See Planning Memo.
Chair’s Note: Landwise will join the Committee and provide an economic analysis of the current zoning and the factors that can lead to teardowns. Councilors Wright and Oliver will also present potential amendments to the zoning ordinance.
- Discussion and possible amendments to enhance the preservation of existing homes. See Planning Memo.
- Discussion to consider ordinance amendments that would revise the metrics in the multi-residence (MR1, MR2 and MR3) zones to regulate the size of new buildings better, enable a wider range of housing options close to public transit, and better incentivize preservation and renovation of existing housing stock. See Planning Memo.
- Discussion and possible zoning ordinance changes to align zoning to the proposed use for by right or special permit projects for new build or major renovations. The goal would be to further improve consistency in lot utilization (e.g., setbacks, open space) and structure (e.g., massing, height FAR) within a neighborhood. See Planning Memo.
- Discussion and amendments to Newton’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance, so it complies with the State’s Zoning Act (Ch. 40A). See Planning Memo.