The Public Safety & Transportation Committee voted to hold the following (read the report and watch the meeting video):
- Discussion and Public Hearing on Proposed Plaza in Newton Centre Parking Lot (7-0) The Director of Planning presented a “substantially” modified proposal that displaces 8 instead of 52 parking spaces and reduced the plaza trial length from 1 year to 5 months. Zipcar, Blue Bike, and employee parking will be moved from the lot. The project is part of a larger project to repave the lot, improve lighting and accessibilit,y and do some “minor landscaping.” The City is hoping to start the pilot plaza in a parking lot project this summer. Newton Centre Green was chosen over the Newton Playground area because it is more accessible (level), adaptable, closer to businesses, and less overused. 2,200 parking spaces are within a quarter of a mile of the Newton Centre Green (NCG) (1,000 private parking spots). Studies at various times and days found between 40 to 100 empty spots in NCG with the exception of Valentine’s Day afternoon, when there were only 2. On Valentine’s Day evening there were 49 open spots in NCG. Councilor Farrell, who docketed the item, expressed his desire for a larger, longer-term vision for improving NCG and other village centers. The City “answered that they don’t disagree.”
The City said Lyman Street will be made one-way and that local businesses were positive on the new plan. The budget is still $300,000 from COVID ARPA funds, plus the separate repaving budget.
Eight people spoke at the Public Hearing with mixed opinions; many supported Councilor Farrell’s call for a larger vision.
Present: Councilors Grossman (Chair), Downs, Lucas, Block, Bixby, Greenberg, and Wright
Absent: Councilor Lipof
Also Present: Councilors Malakie, Oliver, Farrell, and Kelley
City Staff: Barney Heath, Director of Planning and Development; Zachery LeMel, Long Range
Planner; Luis Perez Demorizi, Director of Parks and Open Space and Ned Codd, Director,
Transportation Division DPW
