The Land Use Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Class 2 Auto Dealers Licenses – Newton Auto Group, Inc. (182 Brookline St.) (7-0-1, Councilor (Block not voting). No questions or concerns were raised.
- Class 2 Auto Dealers Licenses – Jacob & Associates (1232 Washington St.). (7-0-1, Councilor Block not voting). No questions or concerns were raised.
- Class 2 Auto Dealers Licenses – Robert’s Towing, Inc. (926R Boylston St.). (8-0) No questions or concerns were raised.
- Class 2 Auto Dealers Licenses – West Newton Auto Service, Inc. (1200 Washington St.). (8-0) No questions or concerns were raised.
- 47–49 Ripley Street – add one stall to allow two stalls in the front setback (amended plan). (7-1, Councilor Farrell opposed); public hearing closed. The revised site plan reduces the request to a single additional stall beside the existing driveway. Planning presented updates; council discussion balanced citywide concerns about front setback parking with the homeowners’ needs given driveway slope. Petition documents. Draft Council Order.
- 84 Eldredge Street – add one garage bay to existing detached garage (amend prior SP #189-81(E)) (8–0) public hearing closed. Planning noted Historic Commission and condo trustees’ approvals. Applicant described design changes; councilors confirmed off-street parking counts (11 spaces for 7 units) and emphasized the importance of HDC sign-offs. Petition documents. Draft Council Order.
Administrative actions (withdrawals approved without prejudice):
- 28–30 Riverdale Avenue – mixed uses with parking waiver. Withdrawal without prejudice approved 8–0 (public hearing previously continued). Petition documents.
- 60 Needham Street – daycare use with parking waiver. Withdrawal without prejudice approved 8–0. Petition documents.
Approved, subject to second call (public hearing closed):
- 399 Grove Street – rezone Business Use 5 → Mixed Use 3 and related text amendments (Item 238-25). The committee split the measure and approved, subject to second call (8–0) 238-25(A) (text changes outside height/stories + zone change) and 238-25(B) (height/stories text). Discussion reviewed reduced building heights/stories, access requirements, and retail/amenity flexibility; members stressed matching final design to approved plans and avoiding a continuous “wall effect” along Grove Street.
- 355/399/0 Grove Street – six-building mixed-use project (approx. 750–755 homes), parking, public realm and open space (8–0) Presentation covered design updates and public-realm improvements; committee conditions address transportation upgrades (vehicular/ped/bike), a capped-cost two-way radio system for public safety, I/I mitigation and sewer work, off-site traffic mitigation, EV charging, Passive House targets, a transportation demand plan (transit subsidies, car-share), construction hours (Saturday interior work by 4pm), liaison committee scope, and energy/sustainability compliance. Public comment raised labor standards, affordability mix, neighborhood integration, biodiversity, and community benefits.
11-28-25 Law Memo to Council
Law Memo Exhibit A – Final Special Permit Order Redline
Law Memo Exhibit B – Final Rezoning Order
Law Memo Exhibit C – Final Text Amendment Order
Attendees: Councilors Kelley (Chair), Lucas, Block, Farrell, Leary, Lobovits, Laredo, and Downs. Also present: Councilors Albright, Malakie, Krintzman, Gentile, Lipof, and Wright. City staff: Senior Planner Sondria Berman; Chief Planner Katie Whewell; Deputy Director of Planning & Development Jen Caira; Deputy City Solicitor Jonah Temple; Fire Chief Greg Gentile.
