Highlights this week…
- City Offices …closed on Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day
- Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration …moved to Newton North HS due to inclement weather
- Trash/Recycling …NOT delayed this week, despite holiday on Monday
- Economic Development Commission …discussing update on Riverside development
- Traffic Council …considering Newton Centre Parking Plaza trial and dedicating 15 free parking spaces for Cooper Center staff in the Austin Street lot
- Franklin School Construction …holding an online community update
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Zoning and Planning will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Possible amendments to Zoning and other ordinances to:
- Add a maximum residential facade build out ratio to Zoning to aid in new development being contextual to the surrounding neighborhood
- Enhance the preservation of existing homes over their replacement by larger and more expensive structures
- Revise metrics in the multi-residence zones to regulate the size of new buildings better, enable a wider range of housing options close to public transit, and better incentivize preservation and renovation of existing housing stock (with the Planning Department)
- Remove or reduce the parking minimums for first-floor commercial uses in commercial centers
- Include 4-6 units in Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance, and raise requirements for number of affordable units in large developments (with Planning and Development Department and Newton Housing Partnership)
- Create a new Adult Day Care use (possible public hearing on November 10)
- Appointing Christopher Steele to the Economic Development Commission
- Reappointing:
- Leigh Gilligan to the Conservation Commission
- Charles Eisenberg to the Zoning Board of Appeals
- Scott Aquilina, Rick Wetmore, Susana Lannik, and Robert Imperato to the Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission
- Deb Crossley to the Zoning Board of Appeals
Finance will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Appropriating $152,255 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to fund a LED Lighting Project at the Newton Education Center
- Appropriating $2,154,544 in Community Preservation Act funding to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust for its FY26 funding
- Setting the salary for City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council
- Conducting fact finding and discussion regarding a workers’ compensation claim (may be in Executive Session)
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday to consider:
- Possible changes to the parking regulations on Woodland Road between Washington Street and Windermere Road, which may include inclusion in the Auburndale Village Parking District
- Restricting parking along either one side or both sides of the block of Islington Road between Commonwealth Avenue and Ryder Terrace
- Trial to remove a portion of the two westernmost rows of parking within the Langley Road (Triangle) Municipal Parking Lot in Newton Centre and relocate spots for employee parking, Zip Car, and BlueBikes to create a temporary public plaza for gathering, arts, and play in the heart of Newton Centre
- Potential action to create a short-term parking space near Union Pharmacy in Newton Centre
- Potential action to create one or two combined parking areas/loading zones along Herrick Road and Union Street in Newton Centre
- 15 permits for Cooper Center staff to park in the Austin Street Municipal Lot
- Designating the one-way loop around the reservation areas of Waban Park and Walnut Park.
School Committee
School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Wednesday to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the NTA – all Units.
Franklin School Construction will have an online Community Update on Tuesday, October14 at 6PM (Zoom link).
Boards and Commissions
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Nominating and Governance Committee will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Meeting Room Policy
- Committees
- Director’s Performance Review Planning
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for installation of solar panels on side roof at 197 Grove Street.
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Presentation: Riverside update from Mark Development
- Discussion: Riverside proposal and Commission letter
- Discussion: Camoin strategy update and next steps
- Working Group Updates: Culture, Licensing & Permitting, Zoning, Education
- City updates
Planning and Development Board will meet jointly with the Zoning and Planning Committee on Tuesday regarding requests:
- Add Maximum Residential facade build-out ratio to Chapter 30 Zoning to aid in new development being contextual to the surrounding neighborhood.
- Discussion with the Planning and Development Department and the Newton Housing Partnership about the City’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance and possible amendments to include 4-6 units, including raising the requirements for the number of affordable units in large developments.
Youth Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding officer discussion and possible vote, and Advisory Board discussion.
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday regarding requests for requests for Certificates of Appropriateness to
- Replace window, door, and siding on ancillary cabin (only the front two windows are viewable from the public way thus subject to commission review) at 65 Old England Road
- Install outdoor patio with pergola, spa, and outdoor kitchen with mechanical at 127 Essex Road
- Replace chimney at 92 Reservoir Avenue
Urban Tree Commission will meet on Friday regarding a Forestry Department update and tree removal requests.
Other
Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration on Monday, 11AM-5PM, originally set for Albemarle Field, has been moved to Newton North HS due to inclement weather.
Development Review Team (DRT) is scheduled to meet this week regarding:
- 83 Lexington Street: Single-family attached
This week’s road construction schedule.
