The Land Use Committee met on Tuesday, June 2. See the report and meeting video.
Approved
- Appointments to the Riverside Neighborhood Liaison Committee — 7-0 each. Barbara Gruenthal, Liz Mirabile, Bruce McVittie, and Paul Giragos were appointed pursuant to Condition #49 of Special Permit #239-25.
- Reappointments to the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Neighborhood Area Council — Theresa Fitzpatrick (7-0), Marjorie Summers (7-0), Chris Letourneau (6-1, Councilor Farrell Opposed), Alex Koppenheffer (7-0), Jay Flynn (7-0), and George Swetz (6-0-1, Councilor Farrell Abstained) were reappointed pursuant to Condition #29 of Special Permit #470-04.
- Special permit to exceed FAR and allow a dormer at 464 Dudley Road — 7-0. The committee approved a special permit to construct a front dormer expanding living space, increasing the nonconforming FAR from .30 to .31 (maximum .28 allowed as of right). The agenda description was corrected at the meeting: There is no detached garage; the project involves a front dormer only. Petition documents, Council Order
- Special permit to construct a dormer at 392 Cherry Street, Unit 4 — 7-0. The committee approved a dormer in the half-story of the unit, adding 287 square feet of gross floor area. The other six units on the property submitted a letter of support. Petition documents. Council Order
Held (Public Hearing Continued)
- Live/work conditions at 1100–1102 Beacon Street — 7-0. The committee held a working session to discuss proposed conditions for a potential live/work special permit. Discussion centered on the definition of live/work versus home business, tax implications, the types of businesses that should be allowed, customer and employee limits, and parking. No consensus was reached; the item was held for further discussion at a future meeting. Petition documents.
- Special permit for a retaining wall exceeding four feet at 335 Langley Road — 7-0. Discussion raised concerns about stormwater runoff onto Bowen Field, the height of the proposed retaining walls (up to 10 feet), and the ultimate plans for development on the lots. The petitioner agreed to return with an engineer to present a stormwater management plan. Petition documents.
Present: Councilors Kelley (Chair), Leary, Irish, Block, Farrell, Lucas, and Roche.
Absent: Councilor Golden.
Also present: Councilor Malakie.
City staff: Sondria Berman, Senior Planner; Jonah Temple, Deputy City Solicitor; Cat Kemmett, Deputy Chief Planner; Zach Melcher, Planning Associate.