The Zoning & Planning Committee met on Monday, June 8. See the report and meeting video.
Approved
- Ordinance change to allow raised beds in front, side, and rear setbacks — 6-0-1 (Councilor Baker abstained).At the public hearing, 10 residents testified with the vast majority supporting the proposal to allow raised garden beds in setback areas. Supporters argued that raised beds are less intrusive than many structures already permitted in setbacks, provide accessibility benefits for older adults and people with disabilities, and help residents avoid soil contamination. Several also expressed concern about unnecessary regulation of private property. One resident supported raised beds generally but raised concerns that raised beds and associated plantings could create visibility and safety issues near driveways and intersections, urging the City to adopt clear regulations and enforcement standards. During discussion, Councilors weighed these benefits against concerns about preserving setback open space, maintaining sight lines, and preventing raised beds from functioning as fences. Following the public hearing, the committee approved an amendment to Chapter 30 Zoning establishing dimensional standards for raised garden beds within setbacks, allowing raised beds in setbacks subject to setback, height, size, spacing, and total area limitations. . In the front setback, beds may be up to 2 feet high and no closer than 5 feet from the front lot line. In side setbacks, beds may be up to 4 feet high and no closer than 7.5 feet from the property line. In rear setbacks, beds may be up to 4 feet high and no closer than 5 feet from the property line. Individual beds may be no longer than 10 feet and no wider than 4 feet, must be separated by at least 3 feet, and the total combined area in any one setback may not exceed 80 square feet. Trellises attached to raised beds may be up to 5 feet in height.
Held
- Request for information on expiring deed restrictions and options to maintain affordable units — 7-0. Housing Program Manager Shaylyn Davis explained tha many older affordability agreements were originally limited to the term of a mortgage rather than lasting in perpetuity. Over the past decade, the City has worked with property owners to extend these restrictions permanently, successfully securing perpetual affordability for approximately 63% of affected units. Most of the remaining units are owned by mission-driven affordable housing organizations whose affordability restrictions are expected to continue through future rehabilitation financing. Looking ahead, 242 units could be at risk of losing affordability restrictions over the next 35 years, and the Planning Department plans to begin extension discussions well before those restrictions expire. Councilors discussed the City’s efforts to negotiate perpetual restrictions, challenges with properties such as Cabot Park Village, and strategies for engaging property owners. The Planning Department agreed to provide annual reports on expiring affordability agreements.
- Amend the MR zones to encourage preservation of existing buildings — 7-0. At the outset of the discussion, Chair Baker stated that it was intended for a scoping discussion only and held the item. Lead sponsor Councilor Albright explained that the proposal is to examine whether Newton’s zoning regulations unintentionally encourages demolition and redevelopment rather than preservation and adaptive reuse of existing homes. She suggested the City should explore zoning changes that make it easier and more financially attractive to preserve existing structures while creating multiple, modestly sized housing units. She characterized the effort as pro-neighborhood and pro-affordability, aimed at expanding starter-home opportunities and preserving existing housing stock.
- Presentation on Town of Brookline rezoning at Route 9 and Hammond Street — 7-0. Chair Baker provided an update on Brookline’s recent rezoning. He reported that Mayor Laredo and the City of Brookline have exchanged letters regarding Newton’s concerns about traffic impacts from Brookline’s recent zoning change along the Boylston Street/Route 9 corridor. Brookline has indicated willingness to form a working group including Newton and the Commonwealth to address concerns, including a proposed traffic configuration known as the “RCUT” that would limit direct north-south movements on Hammond Street and require certain traffic movements to use a Route 9 loop.
Present: Councilors Baker (Chair), Wright (Vice Chair), Gordon, Albright, Getz, Oliver, and Dahmubed.
Absent: Councilor Kalis.
Also present: Councilors Roche, Block, Malakie, and Irish.
City staff: Katie Whewell, Acting Director of Planning & Development; Nora Colello, Chief of Long-Range Planning; Andrew Lee, Senior Assistant City Solicitor; Kevin McCormick, Chair of the Planning Board; Anthony Ciccariello, Commissioner of Inspectional Services; Shaylyn Davis, Housing Program Manager; Drew Willison, City Clerk.