What’s Up in Newton – Week of 12/10/2023

City Council

Zoning and Planning will meet on Monday:

• Joint Public Hearing with the Planning and Development Board on to amend the current zoning of 0 Dedham Street Off (former Water Tower site), from Public Use to Single Residence 1
• Request for a discussion on state guidance for implementing the Housing Choice element of the MA Economic Development legislation (Chair will entertain motion of No Action Necessary.)
• Reappointment of Peter Vieira and Matthew Montgomery to the Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission
• Reappointment of Lisa Adams, Florent Mali, Jim Griglum, and Zach Knowlton to the Economic Development Commission
• Reappointment of Mark Armstrong to the Newton Historical Commission
• Reappointment of Ralph Abele to the Newtonville Historic District Commission

Finance and Public Facilities will meet jointly on Monday:

• $15,000 appropriation request from June 30, 2023 Certified Free Cash to fund elections-related postage charges.
• $3,000,000 appropriations request from the Stormwater Fund Balance Account to fund the dredging of the City Hall ponds in 2024.
• Request to appropriate an amount to be determined for the Newton Center for Active Living Project. (Bids were supposed to be opened on December 7 but bids will be opened on Monday, December 11, at which time the item will be amended to include an amount and accounts.)
• Acceptance of $174,910 in a grant from the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Policing Services
• Acceptance of a $190,000 from MassDOT’s Community Transit Grant Program FY24 for Newton transportation for older adults and individuals with disabilities
• $33,333 expenditure request in transportation mitigation funds from the 15 Riverdale Avenue development for NewMo operations
• $50,000 transfer request from the Street Division – FullTime Wages Account in order to settle Worker’s Compensation claim # WC003901 (The Committee may go into Executive session.)

Land Use Committee will meet on Tuesday to consider the following requests:

• Legalize an accessory apartment at 599 Commonwealth Avenue.
• Construct dormer additions extending a nonconforming side setback and exceeding by-right dormer dimensions at 66 Allison Street.
• Raze the detached garage and construct a new larger detached garage with an accessory apartment and construct a one-story rear addition to the principal dwelling at 16 Everett Street.
• Convert vacant office space into an adult day health center at 84-94 Rowe Street.
• Amend a previously approved Special Permit to reflect changes to building configurations and paved areas and waive parking and screening dimensional requirements at 283 Melrose Street – Turtle Lane.

Discussion Items include the following requests:

• Periodic updates and discussion regarding process improvements and the benefits of the implementation of the new permitting software
• Discussion regarding the use of the OpenGov system to record and track actions required by conditions specified in the Council special permit
• Discussion regarding the current internal processes for ensuring compliance with special permit council orders and the ways in which these processes can be improved
• Review and analysis regarding standard language and special permit council orders regarding undergrounding utilities, bicycle storage, construction hours and other construction rules, vibrations, rodent control, electrification, landscaping, and other similar provisions
• Discussion regarding how the City Council currently sets mitigation contributions and fees for special permit projects and the establishment of standards for such contributions and fees
• Discussion regarding the process for creating and enforcing landscape plans
• An amendment to require the submission of designs for the placement of underground utility service lines for projects above a certain size
• Discussion on how to weigh neighbors’ rights vs. developers with regard to complex excavation projects
• Discussion regarding the results of TRIO’s resident survey about their transportation needs and habits

Traffic Council will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, December 14 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following requests:

• Add EV Charging Stations and/or EV Shared Vehicles into the Pearl Street Parking Lot.
• Restrict parking on the north side of Watertown Street 120 feet east of Davis Avenue.
• Add a stop sign on Maynard Street, westbound, at the intersection of Morrill Street.
• Add a stop sign at the intersection of Carver Road, southbound, at Woodward Street.
• (On behalf of Civico Development) change the parking regulations on a small section of Armory Street in accordance with approved Comprehensive Permit.
• Permit Traffic Council to allow long-term trials on any public street or parking area located within 1,500 feet of a school.
• Continue the Traffic Council trial which restricts access to Elm Road (from Lowell Avenue).
• Continue the Traffic Council trial which allows vehicles displaying TIGER permits to park in the Austin Street Lot without requiring payment on school days.

School Committee

The Negotiations Subcommittee‘s previously scheduled meeting for Tuesday has been canceled.

The School Committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss negotiations and mediation strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the NTA Units A-E.

Boards and Commissions

Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday for Round 3 Presentation and Adjudication of 2024 Grants.

Commission on Disability will meet on Monday:

• Reports: Accessible Fines, CDBG, ADA Coordinator, NWH Subcommittee, Co-Chairs
• Updates: Co-Chairs and Nominations
• FY25 CDBG Potential Projects, MAAB Variance-15 Cypress Street, Accessible Parking Space at Beacon/Centre, 2024 COD Awareness event

Newton Historical Commission will meet on Monday:

• 4 Total Demolition Requests:
  • 180 Hunnewell Avenue – House and Garage
  • 68 Albert Road
  • 17 Montrose Street
  • 1597 Centre Street – House and Garage
• 2 Demolition Delay Waiver Requests:
  • 35 Wesley Street
  • 56 Chinian Path

Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Development Committee will meet on Tuesday to review its mission and discuss ongoing business: CWM24, Spring Fling, Donor Relations.

Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday:

• Amend previously approved plans for 113 Grove Street.
• Commission feedback on a project (side entry, rear addition, window replacement at 37 Hancock Street.
• Remediation of violation (front entry stairs and railing system) at 239 Woodland Road, Lasell University.
• Violation (gravel parking area and masonry border) at 305 Central Street

Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday:

• Guest Speaker: Amanda Chisholm, Development Director at WS Development
• City Updates & EDC Discussion:
  • Facilitate Owning & Operating Businesses: pop-up retail and use table
  • Strengthening Village Centers: Zoning update and Washington Street update;
  • DEI
  • Increase Newton’s commercial Tax Base
• EDC Project Subgroups
• Other/New Business: Year-end assessment, meeting dates, guest speaker list

Newton Free Library Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday to discuss Facilities Overview and Phased Renovation Plan, upgrading financial software, staff development increase, birdhouse proposal, Spring Fling.

Design Review Committee will meet on Wednesday with School Building Committees for Franklin, Horace Mann, and Countryside Schools:

• DRC / FSBC – Franklin School: Building and site design overview
• DRC / HMSBC – Horace Mann School: Site Design Updates – Preferred Design for Linwood Drive Building Design updates, Build Exterior concepts
• DRC/CSBC – Country Side School: Life Cycle Cost Analysis Update for GHSP and VRF System and Building Exterior Design updates

Urban Design Commission will meet on Wednesday:

• 7 Sign Permits:
  • Bristol Waban: 20 Kinmonth Road
  • Dunkin: 1144-1152 Beacon Street
  • Mobil: 1094 Beacon Street
  • Tango Mango: 1185-1197 Centre Street
  • Kismet Commerce: 47 Crescent Street
  • Newton Pediatric Dental: 1144-1152 Beacon Street
  • AT&T: 71 Needham Street
  • Design Review: 41 Washington Street

Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday:

• Remediation of violation for work at 1268 Boylston Street, Unit B
• Rear addition and add a bathroom vent at 232-234 Elliot Street, Unit 232
• Reposition of approved condenser, build new stone wall and front walkway, and modify the approved height of the chimneys at 1036-1038 Chestnut Street

Other

Remembering Former Ward 6 Alderman George Mansfield: Newton Highland resident and former Ward 6 Councilor George Mansfield passed away on December 5. Ward 7 Councilor and long-time colleague and friend, Lisle Baker, informed the Council of his passing after learning the news from former Ward 6 Councilor, Richard Blazer. See Fig City News article.

Hearing on nuisance/dangerous dog complaint: A hearing will be held in person (Room 205) on Tuesday, December 12 at 7PM regarding a nuisance/dangerous dog complaint (see Meeting Notice).

This week’s road construction schedule.