The Zoning & Planning Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Community Preservation Act Historic Resource funding — $1,997,000 for the West Newton Cinema stabilization project. (8–0) CPC staff and Cinema representatives explained that this is phase 1 of a multi-phase rescue of the historic building (roof, egress doors, electrical and water service upgrades, interior water-damage repair). The City’s grant is roughly 50% of the project budget and will let the Cinema leverage other public/cultural funds.
- Inclusionary Zoning amendments (IZ) (5–3, Councilors Getz, Oliver, and Wright abstained) The amendments would: raise the range where in-lieu payments are allowed; make the very-low-income/ELI alternative more usable by removing mandatory service-contract requirements; and simplify the elderly-housing section — all to create more predictable payments to the Housing Trust at a time of state/federal uncertainty. The effective date will be 1/1/2026.
The Committee held:
- Short-term rental (STR) enforcement update (8-0) ISD reported about 200 STRs on the state list, only 14 registered locally and six are in violation of the ordinance. The City has sent out 17 to other STR they found through investigative work. The violators have 35 days to comply, or the City will begin issuing tickets. The City can place liens on properties where fines are unpaid. There have been very few recent STR complaints. 12 STRs have been shut down so far. Thus far the City has not collected any fines. The committee kept the docket open to improve data-sharing with platforms and to send letters to unregistered operators. STR violation records are not public.
- Update on the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (8-0) The trust is focused on projects with enough scale to leverage Trust funding with public funding. The City Council just approved an annual $2 million funding allocation for the Trust.
- Discussion and possible ordinance amendments relative to aiding small businesses impacted by development (8-0) No discussion of the item was included in the minutes.
- Discussion and Possible Amendment to Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to include Training (8-0) No discussion of the item was included in the minutes.
The Zoning and Planning Committee voted no action necessary:
- Discussion and possible revisions to the fee structure for initial estimated construction costs (8-0). Kept for more research on whether Newton should keep using the ICC baseline ($170/sf) or move to a more localized square-foot cost.
Present: Councilors Baker (Chair), Oliver, Albright, Wright, Kalis, Getz, Danberg, and Krintzman
Also Present: Councilors Malakie and Farrell
City Staff: Director of Planning and Development Barney Heath, Housing Program Manager
Shaylyn Davis-Iannaco, Director of Housing & Community Development Lara Kritzer, Senior
Assistant Solicitor Andrew Lee, Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Yeo, CPA Program Manager
Mollie Hutchings, Commissioner of Inspectional Services Anthony Ciccariello, and City Clerk
Drew Willison
