The Zoning & Planning Committee voted to Approve the following (see report and watch the video):
- Appointment of Timothy LeBlanc to the Newtonville Historic District Commission (7-0). Timothy LeBlanc expressed his commitment to historic preservation, having restored four historic homes, and emphasized the importance of maintaining the historic fabric of Newton. He discussed his approach to multi-family conversions in historic districts, focusing on ensuring that modifications like fire escapes fit within the existing architectural character.
- Appointment of Nancy Greenberg to the Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission (7-0). Nancy Greenberg highlighted the need to preserve historic buildings while allowing modern updates that maintain architectural integrity. She supported multi-unit conversions where zoning permits and emphasized renovation over replacement to preserve historical aesthetics.
- Appointment of David Boronkay as an Alternate to the Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission (7-0). By switching to the Newton Upper Falls Historic District, David Boronkay seeks to avoid conflicts due to his professional projects in Auburndale. He emphasized the importance of balancing modernization with historical character preservation.
- Appointment of Ed Olhava to the Community Preservation Committee (7-0). Ed Olhava, a resident since 2008 and member of Bike Newton, discussed the role of the Community Preservation Committee in enhancing Newton’s recreational facilities and his vision for leveraging this platform to improve local infrastructure.
- Discussion and amendments on how building height is measured (Approved 6-0-1; Councilor Albright Abstaining). The Committee agreed on amendments to measure building height from the original grade instead of the finished grade, aiming to make development more predictable and maintain the existing grade’s integrity. This change is intended to help manage stormwater runoff and preserve the visual scale of neighborhoods.
The Zoning & Planning Committee voted to Hold the following:
- Request for discussion and possible amendments to enhance the preservation of existing homes (7-0). The discussion focused on shifting from quick fixes to a more comprehensive review of the zoning ordinance to better preserve existing homes and maintain neighborhood character. The Planning Department, assisted by Utile Architecture & Planning, expects to have recommendations for the Committee to consider by the end of the year.
- Amend setbacks in MR zones to encourage the preservation of existing buildings (7-0). This item was discussed with the above item.
- Request for Discussion and Ordinance to require energy use reporting (7-0). The committee discussed requiring large property owners to report energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions (BERDO). “The City is currently conducting a case study with Dante Capasso on residential buildings along with working with the Newton Housing Authority. The current city position is that only commercial buildings would be included in BERDO at this stage, and residential buildings over 20,000 sf would be added next year.” The City “is looking at the impact on rents, the cost of gas, and the cost of electricity upgrades if needed” on building owners.