Highlights this week (29 meetings!)…
- City Council …continuing on Walk, Roll, and Bike Network Plan; Newton Highlands Village Improvement Project; and Inclusionary Zoning. Then: parking minimums for businesses
- Land Use …Reviewing zoning and special permit for Riverside development
- Public Facilities …reviewing main drain extension for Chapin Road
- Public Safety and Transportation …reviewing Councilors’ appeals of two Traffic Council decisions
- Traffic Council …reviewing changes regarding the Newton Centre parking lot and plaza
- School Committee …reviewing MCAS results
- Newton Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership …discussing proposed development at 85 Dudley Rd.
- Economic Development Commission …reviewing Riverside project
- Zoning Board of Appeals …holding public hearing on Ch. 40B development on Court and Crafts Streets
- State Representatives …holding office hours in City Hall, Room 211: Rep. Greg Schwartz on Monday at 10AM, and Rep. Amy Sangiolo on Friday at 11AM
City Council
City Council will meet on Monday and is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket):
- Unfinished Council Business regarding:
- Walk, Roll, and Bike Network Plan
- Conceptual plan of the Newton Highlands Village Improvement Project
- Possible amendments to Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance
- Amending zoning to:
- Remove or reduce the parking minimums for commercial uses in commercial centers
- Create a new Adult Day Care use
- Allow additions to buildings with existing nonconforming height that increase the nonconforming height but do not go higher than the existing ridgeline
- Review and appropriate changes to the Rules of the City Council
- Appropriating $1,650,000 from Free Cash for Vehicle Replacement Program
- Grant of location for Eversource in Armory and Washington Street and authorization to provide access to electrical equipment at the West Newton Armory
- Modernize parking fines in line with surrounding communities and to deter unsafe parking
- Appropriating $1,997,000 in CPA Historic Resource funding to the West Newton Cinema Foundation for its Building Stabilization project
- Expending $17,290 for full and final settlement of Amica Ins. a/s/o Barbara Murphy v. City of Newton
- Expending $8,000 from H-P Fines to conduct Holiday Targeted Enforcement of the accessible parking violations, November 28 – December 26
- Reappointing Scott Friedman to the Newtonville Historic District Commission
- Correcting Council Order by $450 for the use of various Mitigation funds for inflow and infiltration projects
- Possible change to residential parking programs and fee structures
- Reappointing Shawn Murphy as a Constable
- No Action Necessary:
- Update on Short-term rental ordinance compliance and enforcement
- Possible amendments to policies for abutter notifications for proposed large projects
The New Docket includes the following:
- Special Permit Public Hearings scheduled for November 25 on requests to:
- Amend the previously approved special permit to allow a second parking stall in the front setback at 63 Hyde Street
- Construct an additional story and dormers within the existing footprints at 15 Clinton Place
- Construct a detached garage exceeding the maximum FAR at 12 Garden Road
- Request for Class 2 Auto Dealers Licenses: Newton Auto Group, Inc., Jacob and Associates, Robert’s Towing, Inc., West Newton Auto Service, Inc.
- Appeal of Traffic Council’s approval of petition to provide 15 permits for staff to park in the Austin Street Municipal Lot without paying during enforcement hours
- Appeal of Traffic Council’s denial of petition to consider restricting parking along one or both sides of Islington Road between Commonwealth Avenue and Ryder Terrace
- Auto License Renewal Requests: AB Inc., Om Sai Enterprises Inc., Boston Cool Ride Limo Inc., American Truck & Equipment Sales, LLC, and Limo Class, Inc.
Finance Committee will hold a special Tax Classification Hearing on Monday before the City Council meeting regarding the FY26 Municipal Property Tax distribution percentages among residential, open space, commercial and industrial classes of Real Property.
Land Use will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Class 2 Auto Dealers Licenses: Newton Auto Group, Jacob & Associates, Robert’s Towing, Inc. , West Newton Auto Service, Inc.
- Petitions requested to be withdrawn for 28-30 Riverdale Avenue and 60 Needham Street
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to create a parking area on the side of the existing driveway to accommodate two parking stalls in the front setbacks at 47-49 Ripley Street
- Amend a special permit to construct an addition of one-garage bay at 84 Eldredge Street
- Rezone 399 Grove Street to Mixed Use 3 and to amend the Mixed Use 3/Transit Oriented Development District of the Newton Zoning Ordinance – Riverside
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a mixed-use development consisting of six primarily residential buildings at 355,399, 0 Grove Street (Riverside)
Public Safety and Transportation will meet on Wednesday regarding City Councilors’ appeals of two Traffic Council decisions:
- Approval to provide 15 permits for staff to park in the Austin Street Municipal Lot without paying during enforcement hours
- Denial to consider restricting parking along one or both sides of Islington Road between Commonwealth Avenue and Ryder Terrace
Public Facilities will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Public hearing and approval to rename 18 roadways in Oak Hill Park to commemorate fallen veterans who have served during military conflicts
- Major temporary repairs to Hamlet Street, from Langley Road to End in Newton Center.
- Appropriating $325,000 for a comprehensive stormwater infrastructure analysis and plan for the Cheesecake Brook subbasin
- Main drain extension from manhole near 16 & 17 Chapin Road and to end of Chapin Road
Programs and Services will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Appointment of Ellen Penso to the Council on Aging
- Home Rule Petition to allow the City of Newton to post legal notice of public hearings online in lieu of publishing legal notice in a newspaper
- Creating an Older Adult Services gift account for up to $1,000,000 to fund affordable programs, events, scholarships and critical social services to help older residents continue to thrive
- Development of a code of conduct for Newton City Councilors
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday regarding requests to consider:
- Stop or yield sign at the T intersection where Jacobs Terrace intersects with Hartman Road, to establish right-of-way
- Eliminating four parking meters and prohibiting parking on the north side of Beacon Street between the Saint Jude Gate and Hammond Street
- A “no parking” zone on the west side of Bristol Road, between the last driveway and Commonwealth Avenue
- Extending the trial of the Langley Road (Triangle) Municipal Parking Lot in Newton Centre,
- Extending and modifying existing public parking spaces along the north side of Lyman Street, including making Lyman Street one-way westbound, locating employee and public parking spaces along the north side of Lyman Street, and installing parking payment kiosks
- Relocating the 12 reserved spots for employee parking within the Langley Road (Triangle) Municipal Parking Lot in Newton Centre
- Official parking regulations on Dalton Road, where parking regulations were part of a Traffic Council trial
- Update parking regulations for Centre Street in the area south of Bowen Street, southbound
- Trial to remove a portion parking within the Langley Road (Triangle) Municipal Parking Lot in Newton Centre and relocate reserved spots for employee parking, Zip Car and BlueBikes for a temporary public plaza in the heart of Newton Centre
- Eliminating the left-turn prohibition from Beacon Street eastbound into the Langley Road municipal parking lot.
School Committee
School Committee will meet in a Leadership Caucus on Monday.
School Committee will hold its regular meeting on Monday to discuss:
- MCAS Results Presentation (with Teaching & Learning)
- Policies: Buildings and Grounds Access, Visitors to Schools, Student Fundraising Activities, School Food and Nutrition – Meal Modifications
Boards and Commissions
Commission on Disability will meet on Monday regarding:
- AAB Variance – 60 Highland Street-Second Church
- Winter Event – Understanding Our Differences
Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday for adjudication of grants.
Youth Commission will meet on Monday for a presentation by the City’s Cultural Development Department.
Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Monday regarding the Tom Cahill plaque for Gath Pool and Upper Falls Greenway / Riverwalk improvements:
Planning and Development Board will meet on Monday regarding public Hearings on demolition of rear single-story garage building and its replacement with a three-unit, 2½ story residential building and to remodel the existing residential building to allow for a three-unit residential building at 312 Lake Avenue, 331-333 Lake Avenue, and 50 Hartford Street.
Newton Affordable Housing Trust will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Housing Priorities Task Force Draft Final Report
- New Trust Funding Application from Beacon Communities for 793 Washington Street Affordable Housing Development
- Dream Collaborative’s Final Report for the Site Feasibility Project
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees – Nominating and Governance Committee will meet on Tuesday to elect Committee Chair and plan for next meeting.
Newton Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Project Update Chart
- 85 Dudley Rd.
- Vote on Project Review Criteria
- Lottery and Lease Up Data Discussion
- Debrief Fair Housing Listening Session
- Fair Housing Real Estate Training on December 10
- Mitigation Fee Presentation
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding proposed demolition or building relocation on same lot at 30 Cheswick Road.
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding the proposed Riverside project.
Energy Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- GSEP/Electrification
- State Legislation regarding pulling back from 2030 goals
- Smaller Buildings – Update
- Council/Committee Relationships – Post-Election Analysis
Board of License Commissioners will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- One-day temporary entertainment license: Concert on Tuesday, December 30 at Newton Community Stage, 15 Walnut Park
- One-day temporary wine and malt licenses:
- Annual holiday party on Thursday, December 11 at the Windsor Club
- University-sponsored event for students on Friday, November 21 at the de Witt Hall/Winslow Academic Center, 80 Maple Street
- Two one-day temporary wine-malt licenses and two one-day temporary entertainment licenses: Winter Market at 275 Grove Street
- Corrected hours of operation for a new all alcohol restaurant license, a common victualler license, and an annual entertainment license for CircleBack Kitchen & Bar, 292 Centre Street
- New common victualler license and annual entertainment license for Wonder, 170 Needham Street
- New common victualler license for The Halal Guys, 71 Needham Street
- Change of ownership interest at Thistle & Leek, 105 Union Street
- Change of manager for Crowne Plaza Hotel, 320 Washington Street
- Change of manager for The Friendly Toast, 199 Boylston St Chestnut Hill
Board of Assessors will meet on Wednesday for approval of September 2025 Exemption and Abatement Reports.
Library Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Director’s Annual Review
- Development Director Search
- Appeal/Impact Report Status
- Library and Building Updates
- Wayfinding/Signage Study
- 2025 Action Plan Update: Friends of Newton Free Library
Newton Community Education Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- October finances
- ASAP, new registration system and program highlights
- Next steps for Community Specialist
- City of Newton program lanes and coordination
Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Appeal of Commissioner of Inspectional Services decision on the legal use of the residence as a two-family dwelling at 158 Adams Street
- Public hearing on a request to construct, under M.G.L. Chapter 40B, a 234-unit residential development on properties on Court Street and Crafts Street
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday regarding requests for Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) to:
- Renew the previously issued COA with no changes to plan at 24 Essex Road
- Replace various windows and doors at 46 Malia Terrace
- Replace existing fence with similar design at 12 Chestnut Hill Terrace
- Replace painted wood shingles and siding, replace front door, install cedar wood fence, and replace garage door at 6 Reservoir Avenue
- Install two gates across the driveway at 27 Suffolk Road
- Build second-story addition onto one-story wing at 26 Beacon Street
Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Request for Determination of Applicability for 192-194, 196-198, and 200-204 Sumner Street
- Request for an Order of Conditions extension for 212 Kenrick Street.
- Request for a Certificate of Compliance for a single-family home addition and renovation at 24 Williams Street
- Informal discussion regarding minor plan change at 152 Suffolk Road
Newton Historical Commission will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Violation of Demolition Delay Ordinance at 64 Royce Road
- Local Landmark Nomination – Vote to Accept Nomination at 21 Waterston Road
- Total Demolition Requests: 27 Fairway Drive, 34 Palmer Road, 56 Hartford Street (Carriage House)
- Partial Demolition of House and Total Demolition of Garage: 14 Clements Street, 25 St. Mary’s Street
- Partial Demolition Requests: 16 Dudley Road, 63 Oakdale Road
- Waiver of Demolition Delay Request: 38 Wetherell
Newtonville Area Council will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Presentation and Q&A with John Sisson, City of Newton, Director of Economic Development
- Cooper Center Ribbon Cutting
- Window Clings for Empty Businesses
- Village Council Membership & Exec Elections Proposed Timeline
- Parking Considerations for Newtonville
- Website and Communications Next Steps
Urban Tree Commission will meet on Friday regarding Forestry Department update, tree removal requests, and a grant of $50,000 for trees in Ward 1.
Other
State Rep. Greg Schwartz will hold office hours on Monday, November 17, 10AM-11:30AM at Newton City Hall, Room 211.
State Rep. Amy Sangiolo will hold office hours on Friday, November 21, 11AM-12:30PM at Newton City Hall, Room 211.
Development Review Team (DRT) will meet this week regarding the following potential projects/proposals (see DRT Snapshot):
- 20 Willow Street: MRT site plan review with adaptive reuse, 7 units
- 25-27 Lewis Street: Special permit for an oversized dormer
- 1 Ridge Road: After-the-fact, corner lot, single-family residence — series of retaining walls over four feet in height
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.
Ed. Note: This post has been updated to include the School Committee’s Leadership Caucus.
