Highlights this week…
- Zoning and Planning …considering various changes regarding Inclusionary Zoning, preservation of existing homes, the size of new buildings, preservation and renovation of existing housing stock, and Accessory Dwelling Units
- Traffic Council …considering removing right-turn-on-red at intersection of Chestnut and Oak Streets
- School Committee …discussing competency determination and graduation requirements
- Parks and Recreation Commission …reviewing kickoff of Albemarle Field Project
- Council on Aging …getting an update on GoGo Newton
- Conservation Commission …reviewing 40B development at 528 Boylston Street
City Council
The City Council is not scheduled to meet, and the Finance Committee‘s meeting has been canceled.
Zoning and Planning will meet on Monday to consider the following requests:
- Possible amendment to require developers and property managers to provide bias training toward residents of Inclusionary Zoning units
- Discussion with Planning Department and Newton Housing Partnership about possible amendments to the Inclusionary Zoning ordinance to include 4-6 units, including raising requirements for the number of affordable units in large developments
- Possible amendments to enhance the preservation of existing homes over their replacement by larger and more expensive structures
- Possible ordinance amendments to revise the metrics in multi-residence 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
- Possible zoning amendments regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in addition to those needed to comply with recent changes to the State’s Zoning Act
Land Use will meet on Tuesday to consider these requests:
- Class 2 Auto Dealers Licenses for Robert’s Towing and New England Motor Mart
- Amend a 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
- 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
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to demolish the existing dwelling and construct four single-family attached dwellings in two buildings at 51 Oak Avenue
Rules Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday to continue its review of City Council Rules, specifically:
- Developing a Code of Conduct for the City Council
- Developing a policy to honor longest-serving Councilors
- Scheduling regular Committee meetings so their times do not conflict
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday to consider these requests:
- Stop sign at the end of Sheridan Street (as it intersects with Derby Street, northbound
- Stop sign the T intersection of Prairie Avenue at Auburndale Avenue
- Stop sign on Owatonna Street at Chaske Avenue in the northbound direction, and on Bencliffe Circle at Chaske Avenue in the southbound direction
- Extend the existing Walnut Street safety zone to begin south of Mill Street to encourage slower driver speeds through the Walnut Street curve near Mill and Hull Streets
- Restrict an additional 80 feet of parking on the south side of Suffolk Road, east of the roadway curve near Kingsbury Road
- Update the TPR to reflect changes to the parking area on the Chestnut Street east of Oak Street
- Add No Turn on Red restrictions for all directions at intersection of Chestnut Street and Oak Street
School Committee
School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Monday for a strategy session regarding negotiation of the Superintendent’s contract.
School Committee will then meet on Monday with an agenda that includes:
- Update on Alumni Interviews, NPS Alumni Association, and outreach for alumni data verification
- Superintendent and District Mid-Year Goals
- Competency Determination and Graduation Requirements
Boards and Commissions
Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday to consider:
- Modification request from Newton Theater Company
- FY 2025 adjudication process, including scoring inconsistencies
- Planning for Spring Arts and Culture Summit (in lieu of Grantee Reception)
Newton Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Monday to review:
- Albemarle Field Project Kick-Off Update
- Newton Centre Clay Court Fees & Hours of Operation
- Recurring Outdoor Special Events
- Commissioner’s Report
- Committee Reports: Community Preservation Committee, Urban Tree Commission, Farm Commission, Commonwealth Golf Foundation
Newton Retirement Board will meet on Tuesday.
Newton Housing Partnership will meet on Tuesday to review:
- Update on Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Review
- Strategic Planning Status
- Summary of Discussion with Shelly Goehring, MHP Senior Program Manager
- Request from Walker Center JAPG
- Update on ADU reform
- FY26-FY30 Consolidated Plan and Citizen Participation Plan
Council on Aging will meet on Tuesday to review:
- GoGo Newton update from Planning Department
- Cooper Center update: Community Project Update Tuesday, February 4
- Department of Older Adult Services: Director’s Report
Newton Commonwealth Foundation, which manages the municipal golf course, will meet on Tuesday for updates on Capital Improvement project planning for 2025-2029 and a review of Foundation By-Laws.
Fair Housing Lottery Results and Lease Up Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday to consider:
- Data collection efforts
- Priorities for the coming year, including potential challenges to AFFH by the new administration
- Merging the subcommittee with the full Fair Housing committee
- Fair Housing Committee Priorities
Newton Citizens Commission on Energy will meet on Wednesday to consider:
- Update on sustainability hiring
- Further brainstorming on residential sector
- ZAP relationship & liaison
- Garland Street
- Case study updates
- BERDO write-up update and approval
- Public Facilities relationship
Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday to review Notices of Intent for:
- Repaving a parking lot at 300 Hammond Pond Parkway – Boston College
- Addition and fence at 23 Selwyn Road
- 40B development at 528 Boylston Street
- Stormwater infiltration for the subdivision at 85 Dudley Road
- (Informal discussion) a new single-family house with mitigation planting area at 240 Old Farm Road
Other
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.