A recent Facebook post by Ward 1 Councilor Alison Leary announced an upcoming in-person meeting at the Ciociaro Social Club (144 Bridge Street, Nonantum) on Thursday, September 14 at 7PM. According to the announcement, Deputy Director of Planning Jennifer Caira, President of the Charles River Regional Chamber Greg Reibman, Director…
Posts published in “Zoning”
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…
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…
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…
We are writing in response to Carol Todreas’ July 25 op-ed article about retail and the proposed Village Center Overlay Districts (VCOD). We agree that we are blessed to have village centers that have weathered the challenges of COVID. We recognize Ms. Todreas’ experience in retail, but it is misleading…
I was both surprised and disappointed to read Carol Todreas’ Fig City op-ed in which she suggested that Newton’s proposed village center rezoning will somehow harm our small retail, restaurants and other shops. To the contrary, we see the plan to allow for the gradual addition of more housing and…
Most people want an inviting neighborhood feel to our village centers. We want them to have a sense of place, to be attractive, convenient and to have small local stores and eateries. However, real estate investors see great profit potential in Newton’s current Zoning Redesign proposal for redeveloping our village…
The City of Newton is holding a long public hearing on version 2.0 of its Village Center Overlay District (VCOD) zoning proposal, in various forms throughout the summer.
The meeting of the Zoning and Planning Committee on Monday was so packed that the Zoom system was overloaded (it was quickly fixed) and Councilor Deb Crossley, chair of the committee, asked people attending in person to hunt for seats in the balcony. The turnout was a tribute to the…
The City Council seemed unprepared for 600 people to attend the 6/26/23 zoning meeting. It was frustrating to see no plan to allow everyone to speak. Sending written comments is just not the same. Councilors must make this process more transparent. I sympathize with those who want to move into…