City Council will meet in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, September 16 at 7:45PM. See Reports Docket and New Docket.
Land Use will meet in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, September 17 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following requests:
- Extension of Time to exercise a previously approved Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to allow the construction of an attached garage with living space above, further extending the nonconforming front setback and further reducing the nonconforming open space at 39 Floral Street. See Special Permit documents.
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a detached garage and make various modifications to the two-family dwelling including enclosing the rear porches, constructing a covered front porch, and raising the roof as well as the construction of dormers, further extending the nonconforming use and front setback, and resulting in a three-story structure at 52-54 Hatfield Road. See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo.
- Amend a previously approved Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to reconfigure the parking facility and reduce the number of stalls at 386-394 Watertown Street. See Special Permit documents.
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to demolish the existing structures, combine the lots into one 10,578 square foot lot, and construct four residential dwelling units in one building consisting of three stories and greater than 24 feet in height at 340 River Street and 76 Lexington Street. See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo.
- Amend a previously approved Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to further extend the nonconforming front setback and allow the relocation of the building toward the street, and to convert three garage stalls to carports at 290 Watertown Street. See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo.
- Discussion with the Planning Department regarding the status of all designated but unspent mitigation funds received by the City. See Planning Memo.
Programs and Services will meet in person (Room 211) and virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, September 18 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Three appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission:
- Mary Fitzgerald, Mark Feldhusen, and Caitlin Cusick
- Request for an update on progress in securing compliance with the leaf-blower provisions of Newton’s noise ordinance requiring landscaper registration and lawful operation of noise-compliant equipment, including the reporting and enforcement work by those Departments.
- Request for review and amendment of noise ordinance to improve protection for abutters of construction projects from repetitive impulsive sound such as that produced by rock drills and pile drivers, including duration limits, hours of operation and allowed decibel levels.
- Request for a review the rules and make recommendations to the full Committee in time for the recommendations to be reviewed and adopted by the full Council prior to the Inauguration of the next term’s City Council.
Public Facilities regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled. See Meeting Cancellation Notice.
Public Safety and Transportation will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, September 18 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following requests:
- Discussion on Dudley Road safety due to concerns surrounding speeding, accidents, and safety of pedestrians and bikers.
- Discussion and review of parking policy related to on-street parking and parking in municipal lots, including possible action on related ordinances and permit programs.
Rules Subcommittee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, September 19 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
Chair’s Note: The Rules Subcommittee will begin reviewing City Council Rules. The primary focus will be outlining a work plan and reviewing the initial list of topics/specific changes to City Council Rules.
- Raising $50k joint referral threshold (Article 1 Section A(6)(d))
- Defining existing processes that are NOT in the rules today
- Reviewing departments under each committee (adding to PS&T)
- Council communications
- Rules, or Policies
- Code of Conduct
- Honoring long-serving councilors
- Chronic absenteeism.
- Hygiene of the Document
- Submission of materials in advance of a meeting
- Referral for Special Permits that are also seeking a rezone