The Zoning & Planning Committee voted to hold the following (see report and watch the meeting video):
- Requesting discussion on the current state of Newton’s commercial office space (7–0 -1, Councilor Danberg not voting) The City does request information from commercial office building owners, they are not obligated to provide information. The Planning Department has consultant, Camoin, working on economic development. The Economic Development Commission (EDC) urged the councilors to “think about how the City can make itself more attractive to business and what” legislative changes could be made, like streamlining the permitting process by eliminating parking requirements or special permit triggers. The Chair asked the Planning Department and the EDC to reach out to the Chamber of Commerce, who was not allowed to speak at the meeting. Business activity in the new Village Center Overlay Districts has been slower than anticipated. “Commercial real estate comprises about 6% of the assessed value of Newton’s taxable property. In FY2025, commercial property citywide was valued at just under $2.6 billion, while residential property was valued at more than $38.6 billion. To put those figures into context, that’s roughly $33 of commercial property value for every $500 of residential value.”
- Discussion on Parking in the Village Centers (7–0 -1, Councilor Danberg not voting) “A written report of this item’s discussion to be provided at a later date.”
- Request for discussion and possible amendments to remove or reduce parking
minimums for commercial uses in commercial centers (7–0 -1, Councilor Danberg not voting) “A written report of this item’s discussion to be provided at a later date.” - Discussion and possible ordinance amendment to remove the minimum
parking requirement from the multi residence transit (MRT) zone (8-0) “A written report of this item’s discussion to be provided at a later date.”
The Zoning & Planning Committee set a public hearing date of September 25, 2025 for the following items:
- Re-evaluation and possible amendments to Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance “to include 4-6 units, including raising the requirements for the number of affordable units in large developments.”
- Discussion and Possible Amendment to Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to include Training “to require that developers and property managers provide training for their employees regarding bias toward residents of the IZ units and how to mitigate this bias.”
Present: Councilors Baker (Chair), Oliver, Albright, Wright, Krintzman, Kalis, Getz, and Danberg
Also Present: Councilors Lucas, Farrell, Malakie, Laredo, and Kelley
City Staff: Deputy Director of Planning Jen Caira, Senior Assistant City Solicitor Andrew Lee,
Economic Development Director John Sisson, Senior Planner Nora Masler, and Chief of Long
Range Planning Zack LeMel
Others Present: Economic Development Commission Chair Chuck Tanowitz and Vice Chair Jane
Obbagy
