Finance Committee‘s regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled. See Meeting Cancellation Notice.
Zoning and Planning will meet in person (Room 205) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, January 27 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Request for discussion and possible amendment to require developers and property managers to provide bias training toward residents of Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) units. See Planning Memo.
- Request for discussion with the Planning Department and the Newton Housing Partnership about the City’s Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) 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 amendments to Chapter 30 Zoning or other City Ordinances to enhance the preservation of existing homes over their replacement by larger and more expensive structures. See Planning Memo.
- Request for a discussion with the Planninng Department 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.
- Request for discussion and possible amendments to Chapter 30, Zoning regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) in addition to those needed to comply with recent changes to the State’s Zoning Act (Chapter 40A).
Land Use will meet in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, January 28 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Two Requests for Class 2 Auto Dealers Licenses
- Robert’s Towing, Inc., 926r Boylston Street
- New England Motor Mart, Inc., 1211 Washington Street
- Chair’s Note: Please see the attached request to withdraw the following petition without
prejudice: Request to amend a previously approved special permit to allow both a free-standing sign and advertisement of the on-site cafe at 269-287 Grove Street - Request to amend a previously approved special permit to allow advertisement of the on-site cafe, additional signage on a stone wall at the front of the property and to allow a third secondary wall sign on the building at 269-287 Grove Street. See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo.
- Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to raze the existing nonconforming two-family dwelling and construct a new two-family dwelling at 273-275 Webster Street. See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo.
- Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to demolish the existing dwelling and construct four single-family attached dwellings in two buildings, resulting in a reduced side setback, a driveway within 10 feet of the side lot line, and parking within 20 feet of a boundary line at 51 Oak Avenue. See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo.
Rules Subcommittee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, January 29 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
Chair’s Note: The Rules Subcommittee will continue its review of City Council Rules. The focus of the meeting will be on the following items:
- Development of a Code of Conduct for the City Council
- Development of a policy to honor longest serving Councilors
- Re-work of scheduling regular Committee meetings so that no two Committees meet at the
same time
Traffic Council will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, January 30 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Request for a stop sign at the end of Sheridan Street (not on Derby Street) as it intersects with Derby Street, northbound.
- Request to add a stop sign the T intersection of Prairie Avenue at Auburndale Avenue (not on Auburndale Avenue).
- Request to add a stop sign on Owatonna Street at Chaske Avenue in the northbound direction, and on Bencliffe Circle at Chaske Avenue in the southbound direction, to clarify right-of-way.
- Request to re-evaluate and extend the existing Walnut Street safety zone to begin south of Mill Street. This will help encourage slower driver speeds through the Walnut Street roadway curve near Mill and Hull Streets.
- Request to restrict an additional 80 feet of parking on the south side of Suffolk Road, east of the roadway curve near Kingsbury Road. This docket aims to add to the previously approved parking restriction in January 2023 to better facilitate safe maneuvering for emergency vehicles.
- Request to update the TPR to reflect changes made to the parking area on the Chestnut Street east of Oak Street.
- Request to add No Turn on Red restrictions at the intersection of Chestnut Street and Oak Street, in all directions.