Zoning & Planning will meet in person (Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, February 9 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following items:
- Request for a pre-budget planning discussion with the Planning Department, Inspectional Services Department and CPA Program Manager to prepare for the Committee’s FY26 Budget Review – see Planning Memo
- Request for discussion and ordinance amendment(s) to dimensional controls, aligning use and zoning for residential developments within BU lots, with focused consideration for lots in and adjacent to residential neighborhoods – see Planning Memo. Chair’s Note: There is no action anticipated on this item, but the discussion will allow the Planning Department to explain the issues so that when this item returns to the Committee, the Committee will be well informed.
- Periodic updates on VCOD proposals – updates twice per year on potential projects brought to the Planning Department under the new Village Center Overlay District – see Planning Memo. Chair’s Note: The discussion on this item will be designed to help explain the Village Center Overlay District and its relationship with other zoning ordinances to allow for future updates from Planning, Inspectional Services, and Law.
Finance Committee will meet in person (Room 211) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, February 9 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following items:
- CPC recommendation to appropriate $34,626 from Unrestricted Funding Account for bike parking at parks and high schools
- Appropriation of $43,800.68 from June 30, 2025 Certified Free Cash to Newton Public Schools for Helpsy textile collection and recycling
- Appropriation of $17,600 from June 30, 2025 Certified Free Cash to Newton Public Schools for Foster Care Transportation
- Transfer of $82,000 ($56,000 from Parks and Recreation Full Time Salaries Account and $16,000 from Parks and Recreation Health Insurance Account) to provide funding for Arts and Culture Director
Land Use Committee will meet in person (Council Chambers Room 207) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, February 10 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following items:
- Land Use Committee will be joined by the Planning and Development Board to discuss these items regarding 148 California Street:
- Request to rezone 148 California Street from Manufacturing to Business Use 2 (see Rezoning documents and Planning Memo)
- Petition seeking release from the Restrictive Covenant at 148 California Street (see Special Permit documents and Planning Memo)
- Request for a special permit to allow for shared parking at 148 California Street, reducing parking requirement by one-third (260 stalls) to 519 stalls (see Special Permit documents and Planning Memo)
- Request for a special permit to allow a home business in a detached accessory building and to allow the business to exceed 30% of the ground floor area at 224 Melrose Street (See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo)
- Request for a special permit to exceed FAR and to allow three stories at 89 Redwood Road (See Special Permit documents and Planning Memo)
