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…
Posts published in “Zoning”
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.…
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…
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:
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:
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…
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…