Highlights this week…
- Land Use …considering a four-story building proposed for a vacant lot in Nonantum
- Zoning and Planning …holding a public hearing with Planning and Development Board on possible amendments to the Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance
- Real Property Reuse …considering sale or lease of eight parking spaces in West Newton
- Traffic Council …considering a pilot of a plaza on part of the Newton Centre triangle parking lot
- MassDOT …holding its second public meeting on Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study
- State Rep. Greg Schwartz …holding office hours Monday, 9:30AM-11AM at City Hall, Rm 205
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Finance will meet on Monday on the following requests:
- $35,000 state grant for Fire Department radios, gear, and eye shield protection
- $1,471,000 plus $204,000 in Community Preservation Act to rehabilitate the basement of the Jackson Homestead and Museum
- $50,000 state funds for sidewalk improvements around Underwood Elementary School
- $109,930 state grant for waste reduction
- $200,000 state funds to supplement funding for Nahanton Street Pedestrian Improvements
- Five-year contract for curbside collection and recycling processing
Land Use will meet on Tuesday:
- Reappointment of Kenneth Lyons and Karine Alexander to the Boston College Neighborhood Council
- Consistency ruling to allow a retaining wall at 2-6 Auburndale Avenue
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approvals for:
- System of walls exceeding four feet maximum height at 10 Nonantum Street. See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo.
- Addition to dwelling attaching a detached garage and allowing an oversized internal accessory apartment at 2077 Washington Street
- Four-story mixed-use building with 13 residential units and 14 at grade parking stalls at 386 – 394 Watertown Street
Zoning and Planning will meet on Wednesday:
- Public Hearing with the Planning & Development Board on possible amendments to Newton’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance
- Possible addition of a maximum residential facade build out ratio to Zoning ordinance to aid in new development being contextual to the surrounding neighborhood
- Possible amendments to ordinances to enhance the preservation of existing homes over their replacement by larger and more expensive structures
- Possible ordinance amendments to revise the metrics in the 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
Real Property Reuse will meet on Thursday to consider allowing the 8 parking spaces on City-owned property at 25 Chestnut Street to be sold or leased.
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday to consider requests for:
- Accessible parking spaces at 552 Commonwealth Avenue and 147 Arnold Road
- Long-term trial to change parking regulations and traffic circulation near Franklin Elementary School to facilitate its reconstruction
- Update to the TPR to reflect MassDOT changes around Exit 127 Eastbound Offramp in Newton Corner
- Trial of plaza on part of Langley Road (Triangle) Parking Lot in Newton Centre
School Committee
School Committee will meet twice on Wednesday — first, for a Workshop/Retreat for budget preparation, and then for its regular session, which includes these items:
- Vote to approve Superintendent’s Contract
- FY25 Fiscal & Operational Update – Q2
- Newton Community Education update
Boards and Commissions
Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday regarding grantee events and planning for Spring Arts and Culture Summit.
Newton Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Monday for:
- Public Hearing about Lions 5K race on May 18
- Presentations on Angier Playground proposal and Wellington sign
- Committee Reports: Community Preservation, Urban Tree, Farm, Farm Commission, Commonwealth Golf Foundation
Newton Commonwealth Foundation will on Tuesday regarding 2025 budget, 2025-2029 capital improvements, Maintenance Building renovation Phase I, and removal of cottonwood tree on hole #12.
Newton Housing Partnership will meet on Tuesday regarding West Newton Family Navigation Center, strategic plan, Fair Housing Committee, revisions to ADU Ordinance, and staff items.
Board of License Commissioners will meet on Tuesday to consider requests for:
- KENO license for Echo Bridge Restaurant at 1068 Chestnut Street
- One-day temporary entertainment license for choral concert on March 8 at Newton City Hall, War Memorial Auditorium
- One-day temporary wine and malt licenses:
- Community event/fundraiser on February 27 at the Scandinavian Living Center – Nordic Hall
- Soup/Chili/Bread Cookoff – Shrove Church Celebration on March 4 at the Church of the Redeemer
- Book signing on March 1 at the Church of the Redeemer
- 3 Figure Drawing Classes at the New Art Center on February 28, March 28, and April 11
- One-day temporary all-alcohol licenses:
- After-school program parent mystery cocktail hour on March 15 at the New Art Center
- Cocktail party fundraiser on March 15 at the Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds
- One-day temporary all-alcohol licenses and one-day temporary entertainment licenses:
- Zervas Elementary PTO annual gala/ fundraiser on March 22 at the Windsor Club
- Angier Elementary PTO Fundraiser on March 29 at the Windsor Club
- Change of on-site managers at Oak n’Barrel Wine, Spirits & MôR and Baramor
Council on Aging will meet on Tuesday for:
- Discussion with State Rep. Thomas Stanley of Waltham, former chair of Joint Committee on Elder Affairs
- Updates on GoGo Newton, Cooper Center, and ADU changes
Newton Retirement Board will meet on Wednesday to discuss the actuarial valuation of the Newton Retirement System with System Actuary Kathleen Riley of Segal.
Planning and Development Board will meet on Wednesday to hold a public hearing on possible amendments to Newton’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance.
Newton Citizens Commission on Energy will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- How the NCCE and the Climate and Sustainability office can work together
- Update on Climate and Sustainability hiring/BERDO Committee
- Docket #322-24 and a Smaller-Than-Large Building
- Council committee relationships with ZAP and Public Facilities
- Garland Road update
- BERDO write-up update and approval
- Multifamily case studies
Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Wednesday to consider an appeal of an Inspectional Services interpretation of the zoning ordinance to a change in grade at 9 Forest Street.
Newton Historical Commission will meet on Thursday to consider:
- Requests for Total Demolition: 312 Lake Avenue CTR, 268 Prince Street, 270 Derby Street, 233 California Street, 73 Clearwater Road, 42 Lindbergh Avenue, 28 Samoset Road
- Requests for Partial Demolition: 18 Pershing Road, 128 Jewett Street, 21 Moulton Street, 801 Saw Mill Brook Parkway, 268 Parker Street
- Requests for Waiver of Demolition Delay: 81 Avalon Road, 11 June Lane, 45 Bonnybrook Road, 5 Morseland Avenue, 790 Watertown Street
Sustainable Materials Management Commission will meet on Thursday:
- Discussion with Shin-Yi Lao, Commissioner of Health and Human Services regarding food establishment inspections, private hauler enforcement, an dshare tables in school cafeterias
- Update on visit to Black Earth facility in Manchester-by-the-Sea
- Green Newton Zero Waste Committee re: restaurants (composting, plastic ordinance compliance, recycling)
Newtonville Area Council will meet on Thursday.
Other
State Rep. Greg Schwartz will hold office hours on Monday, February 24, 9:30AM-11AM at City Hall, Room 205.
MassDOT’s second public meeting on the Newton Corner Long-Term Planning Study will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 6:30PM-8PM via Zoom. Register here.
Development Review Team (DRT) is scheduled to meet this week regarding:
- 113 Grove Street: Request to amend special permit to allow a parking stall
- 943 Boylston Street: MRT development
- 47-49 Ripley Street: Relief for second parking stall in front setback
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.
Ed. Note: We updated this post to include the agenda for the regular School Committee meeting, which was posted after our initial publication.
