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Posts published in “Zoning”

OP-ED: MBTA Zoning and Village Center Zoning

I have studied Newton’s zoning since January 2020 and am concerned that the proposed Village Center Zoning is too dense, too intense, and too tall. Village Center Zoning has only recently been connected with the Massachusetts Housing Choice Law (MBTA Communities Law), which intervenes in municipal zoning to promote multi-family…

OP-ED: Newton villages hold positive potential

I support the Village Center Overlay District (VCOD) proposal. To make this decision, I did some homework. I poured over VCOD-related materials: plans, letters, testimonials, videos, and pondered one-on-one discussions. It took a while to sort through the details including the various models and the proposed modifications for different village types.…

Nonantum residents clash with City Councilors

On Thursday, September 14, members of the Nonantum community and others met at the Ciociaro Social Club with City representatives about the proposed Village Center Overlay Districts. The meeting was arranged by At-Large City Councilor Alison Leary and Ward Councilor Maria Scabeli Greenberg. The panel also included other City representatives…

Zoning and Planning – 9/11/2023 Report

The Zoning & Planning Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch NewTV video): The Zoning & Planning Committee voted to hold the following: Straw Votes Taken:

Zoning and Planning – 9/7/2023 Report

The Zoning and Planning Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch NewTV video): The Zoning & Planning Committee voted to hold the following: Straw Votes Taken:

Todreas: One more word about retail and the Shopping Experience

I am writing in response to the letter by Rockwell, Monahan, and Walters about my July 25 Op-Ed, Saving our Village Centers — Retail in the age of Zoning Redesign. I would like to explain what I meant about a great Shopping Experience. Retail is not only about stores but…

Councilors weigh in on Village Center Zoning with comments and a request to pause

In anticipation of the August 15 Zoning and Planning meeting, where Chair Deb Crossley noted that the intent was to review the text of the Village Center Overlay District (VCOD) zoning amendments and take straw votes within the Committee, City Councilors submitted these comments for consideration. The comments include suggestions…

Belleville: Correcting the Rockwell, Monahan, Walter letter

In a letter (Village Center Zoning and Retail- A Response) responding to an Op-Ed (Retail in the age of Zoning Redesign), authors Rockwell, Monahan, and Walter asserted that Op-Ed author Carol Todreas was being misleading and supported their assertion with “facts” that are not true. The fact that the authors…

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