City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Zoning & Planning Committee will meet in person (Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, December 8 at 7PM. The agenda includes:
- Update from the Sustainability Team and staff on the status of implementation of Newton’s Climate Action Plan, including energy efficiency, renewable energy programs, and related zoning measures.
- Discussion with Public Works and Planning on climate resiliency efforts and plans to address flooding, heat waves, severe storms, and follow-up to the 2018 Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan.
- Discussion of possible zoning ordinance changes to better align zoning with proposed uses in new construction and major renovations, aiming for more consistent lot utilization and building massing within a neighborhood.
Chair’s Note: The following items will not be discussed substantively; the Chair intends to seek “No Action Necessary” and recommends refiling next term:
- Removal of minimum parking requirements in the MRT zone, including analysis of benefits, detriments, and state guidance.
- Discussion of Newton’s commercial office space—recent leases, vacancies, tenant changes, and strategies for recruiting new office tenants.
- Parking needs in commercial village centers, past parking studies, comparisons with neighboring communities, and best practices.
- Proposed amendment to the definition of “Two-Family Detached.”
- Review and possible amendments to zoning in the Manufacturing district in Nonantum, drawing on the California Street manufacturing zone study.
- Possible zoning changes to enhance preservation of existing homes and discourage replacement with larger, more expensive structures.
- Consideration of changing setbacks and other dimensional metrics in MR1, MR2, and MR3 zones to better regulate building size, support more housing options near transit, and encourage preservation.
- Quarterly update on potential projects using the Village Center Overlay District, including filings, locations, and project characteristics.
Finance Committee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, December 8 at 7PM. The agenda includes:
- Acceptance and expenditure of a $5,000,000 FY2026 MassWorks grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development to support the Crafts Street culvert replacement project.
- Appropriation of $2,304,983.75 from Sewer Fund Surplus for Phase 2 of the Pump Station Rehabilitation project.
- Transfer of $45,000 from the FY2026 Budget Reserve to cover vacation and special-leave disbursements for the outgoing Mayor and COO.
- Transfer a total of $425,000 ($325,000 from General Fund Current Year Wage Reserve and $100,000 from Water Fund FY26 Budget Reserves) to fund the settlement of the FY2025–FY2027 Teamsters collective bargaining agreement.
- Request for information on Mayor-elect Laredo’s Executive Department staffing plans, including number of positions, proposed reorganization, salary levels, and how any budget shortfall would be covered.
Land Use Committee will meet in person (Council Chambers, Room 207) and virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, December 9 at 7PM. The agenda includes:
- Request to raze the existing structure and redevelop it into four residential units at 1100–1102 Beacon Street; the petitioner has requested withdrawal without prejudice. See Special Permit documents.
- Request to replace a single-family home with four attached single-family dwellings in two buildings, including garage parking below and dimensional and parking waivers at 11 Parsons Street. See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo.
- Request to construct a 19-space surface parking lot, dimensional waivers, and construct a retaining wall over four feet in height at 56 Chapel Street. See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo.
Financial Audit Advisory Committee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, December 10 at 8AM. The agenda includes:
- Review of the draft financial statements.
- Review of the draft management letter.
- Planning for the next meeting: Single Audit update and FY2026 planning.
- Questions/Concerns.
