Highlights this week…
- Zoning and Planning …hearing from Charles River Regional Chamber, the Economic Development Commission, and the public about commercial centers, office space, and parking
- School Committee Policy Committee …discussing 2026-27 school calendar, determining competency, and Career/Technical Education
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Zoning and Planning will meet on Monday to hear from the Charles River Regional Chamber, the Newton Economic Development Commission, and the public about:
- Possible amendments to Newton’s zoning ordinance to remove or reduce parking minimums for first-floor commercial uses in commercial centers
- Current state of Newton’s commercial office space
- Parking in Village Centers
- Appointment of David Boronkay to the Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission
Land Use will meet on Tuesday regarding the following requests (with a public hearing for all except the first three):
- Relocate a driveway from Clark Street to Cloverdale Road, placing parking within the front setback and within five feet from Cloverdale Road and construct a 2.5-story rear addition exceeding FAR at 65 Clark Street
- Change the configuration of the walls and allow a combination of retaining walls exceeding four feet in height at 667-673 Boylston Street
- Raze the existing dwelling and construct a new two-story single-family dwelling, exceeding the maximum FAR and extending the nonconforming side and front setbacks at 270 Derby Street
- Remove the permeable paver requirement at 31 Chase Street
- Construct a deck that further extends the nonconforming front setback at 22 Jerome Avenue
- Raze the existing dwelling to construct a new two-family dwelling and a retaining wall exceeding four feet in height at 82-84 East Side Parkway
- Widen existing driveway to accommodate two parking stalls at 53 Mosman Street
- Create a parking area on the side of the existing driveway to accommodate two parking stalls in the front setback at 47-49 Ripley Street
- Raze existing dwelling to construct a new larger dwelling which exceeds the maximum allowed FAR at 11 Richfield Road
Rules Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday to continue its review of City Council Rules, focsusing this time on:
- Options for any open topics
- Rough draft redline
- Schedule for remainder of term
School Committee
School Committee Policy Subcommittee will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- FY2027 School Year Calendar
- Competency Determination
- Career and Technical Education
Boards and Commissions
Newton Cultural Council Arts Planning Subcommittee will meet on Monday regarding arts planning recommendations for the City.
Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday regarding:
- Grantee Reception Post-event debrief
- Discussion about Qualitative Survey
- Planning for new grant cycle: Scoring rubric orientation
- Ad Hoc report for mayor’s art platform/arts planning
Newton Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Overview of Integration Plan for Fair Housing
- Role of Members and Alternates
- Staff Responsibilities for Development Project Reviews, Training, Testing and Annual Award
- Data Collection and Analysis Planning
- Identifying Barriers, Improved Outcomes and Greater Process Efficiencies
- Improving the Resident Experience of Affordable Housing
- Discussion of Priorities and Timelines
Newton Commonwealth Foundation, which runs the municipal golf course, will meet on Tuesday regarding a quote from New England School Services for replacing Patio Doors at the golf course clubhouse.
Council on Aging will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Cooper Center Update
- Municipal Elections
- Department of Older Adult Services
- COA 2026 Priorities
Newton Historical Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding requests for:
- Total Demolitions: 1062 Beacon Street, 406 Cherry Street, 1100-1102 Beacon Street
- Partial Demolitions: 55 Auburndale Avenue, 51 Wyoming Road, 19 Fessenden Street, 88 Parker Avenue
- Waiver – Partial Demolition: 40 Butts Street
- Waiver – Full Demolitions: 45 Waverly Avenue, 126 Russell Road, 51 Davis Avenue
Other
Development Review Team (DRT) is scheduled to meet this week regarding:
- 83 Commonwealth Park West: Retaining walls
- 141 California Street: Allow existing space to be used for private event space when day heath center is closed, and add solar panels to the roofs.
This week’s road construction schedule.
