The Land Use Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- President’s Appointment of Craig McPherson to the Boston College Neighborhood Council (8-0) as the Boston College Law School Campus neighborhood Representative to the Boston College Neighborhood Council for a term ending on December 31, 2025.
- Class 1 Auto Dealers License for Village Motors Group Inc., d/b/a Honda Village (8-0) at 371 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02458. License details here.
- Class 2 Auto Dealers License for KG Motors LLC, d/b/a KG Motors LLC (8-0) at 1235 Washington Street, Newton MA 02465. License details here.
- Request to exceed FAR at 29 Walter Street (#482-24) (7-0, Councilor Leary Not Voting); Public Hearing Closed. 2 people and councilors spoke in favor. The proposal involves constructing a two-story rear addition exceeding the maximum FAR. Petition Documents Draft Order
- Request to exceed FAR and to allow three stories within a single-family dwelling at 48 Lantern Lane (#484-24) (8-0). The proposal involves constructing an addition within the existing footprint, exceeding the maximum FAR, and creating a three-story building. No one spoke at the public hearing. Petition Documents Draft Order
The Land Use Committee voted to hold the following:
- Request to Rezone 1 parcel to Mixed Use 4 (#480-24) (8-0) from BUSINESS1 to MIXED USE 4. To be discussed in a joint meeting with the Planning & Development Board. Petition Documents
- Request to construct a four-story mixed-use building with 13 residential units at 386-394 Watertown Street (#481-24) (8-0) Public Hearing Opened. 8 people spoke with concerns about the project from building height and its shadow, opposition to spot zoning, the need for more commercial development, and traffic. 1 spoke in favor. The proposal includes constructing a building with 13 residential units and 14 at-grade parking stalls with various zoning relief for parking and site and building plans. The petitioner wants to continue to work with the community on the project. He said the previous proposal for the site was not financially feasible. Petition Documents
- Request to extend a nonconforming two-family dwelling use at 52-54 Hatfield Road (#341-24) (8-0) Public Hearing Continued. The proposal includes various modifications, including enclosing rear porches, constructing a covered front porch, raising the roof, and constructing dormers. Public Hearing Opened. 2 neighbors stated approval at the removal of the second driveway but concern about a third-floor balcony. The proposal involves razing the existing dwelling and constructing four attached single-family dwellings with dimensional and parking relief. Councilors were concerned about tree removal and “too much” on the lot. Petition Documents
- Request for a special permit to allow four attached single-family dwellings in two buildings at 49 Dalby Street (#483-24) (8-0) 3 neighbors spoke in opposition at the Public Hearing regarding loss of trees and parking. 1 spoke in favor. “Councilors noted the proposal seems too big for the lot, and needs to be reduced.” Petition Documents
Present: Councilors Kelley (Chair), Block, Downs, Farrell, Kelley, Laredo, Leary, and Lobovits
Also Present: Councilors Albright, Getz, Greenberg, Malakie, Oliver, and Wright
City Staff Present: Deputy Chief Planner Alyssa Sandoval, Assistant City Solicitor Jonah Temple,
Senior Planner Cat Kemmett, Director of Planning, Barney Heath, Planning Associate Nora Masler