Many numbers have been thrown around about how many housing units might be built with the proposed zoning. These high numbers are reported with no explanation of what they mean and how they were calculated. One does not need a math or engineering degree to understand and explain the plan…
Posts published in “Zoning”
Two different signs have become visible across Newton, representing two points of view about the City’s proposed rezoning plan. Save Our Villages Two months ago, signs saying “Save Our Villages” began appearing on Newton lawns. An anonymous Newton resident who opposes the City’s proposed rezoning plan ordered and paid for the…
Some City Councilors are pushing to separate the Village Center zoning and the MBTA Communities Act zoning with the goal of changing zoning only to meet the minimum theoretical number of housing units allowed under the new rules. By confining the zoning process to just the MBTA Communities Act requirements,…
The Charles River Regional Chamber recently announced that it “is partnering” with a coalition “housing and climate advocates, civic leaders and clergy in support of passing the proposed Village Center Overlay District, which will also allow the city to be in compliance with the state’s MBTA Communities Law.” The coalition, using the slogan…
The Planning and Development Board submitted this letter to the Council reporting its vote that the proposed Village Center Overlay District zoning amendment “meets all of the prescribed criteria for qualifications as a simple-majority vote threshold of the City Council.” This means that the City Council may pass the zoning…
Greg Reibman, President of the Charles River Regional Chamber, endorses the Newton’s proposed Village Center Zoning Redesign and its Village Center Overlay Districts (VCOD). He says the proposed changes in village center zoning allowing development “by right,” rather than by special permit, will gradually increase the supply of homes for…
Zoning and Planning Committee hears public comments on Village Zoning Overlay Districts, Version 3.0
Zoning and Planning Committee hears public comments on Village Zoning Overlay Districts, Version 3.0
On September 26, the Zoning and Planning Committee heard comments about the most recent proposed Village Zoning Overlay District proposal, Version 3.0. (See NewTV video.) At one point, there were 290 people on the Zoom call, and at least 50 people had signed up to speak in person in the…
The City Council’s Zoning and Planning Committee (ZAP) will hold a public hearing on the proposed Village Center Overlay District – Version 3.0 (maps and text) on Tuesday, September 26 at 7PM. Version 3.0 incorporates updates and refinements that ZAP approved over the last few months. The public hearing will be…
At Monday’s City Council meeting, concern was focused on the Zoning and Planning Committee’s vote to remove parking requirements associated with regard to the Craft Beverage Ordinance. Ward 4 Councilor, Lenny Gentile, said he has no issue opening up the opportunity to have craft beverage production in the City, thinks…
The City Council deferred its vote on the craft breweries ordinance and voted to adopt the plastic reduction ordinance amendments on Monday, September 18. Craft Breweries: The Council deferred its vote (until the next full Council meeting) on a proposed ordinance that would enable breweries, wineries, distilleries, and other similar…