Highlights this week…
- Land Use and Planning & Development …jointly reviewing rezoning and parking for 148 California Street (about half of the shopping center that straddles the city line and contains Stop & Shop on Watertown Street)
- Economic Development Commission …reviewing recent Economic Development Strategic Plan
- Newtonville Area Council …discussing Washington Street Survey
- Mayor Marc Laredo …continuing his Listening Sessions this Wednesday and Thursday
- State Rep. Amy Sangiolo …holding offices hours on Friday
- Ward 4 Councilor Randy Block …holding office hours on Sunday
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Zoning & Planning will meet on Monday on requests for:
- Pre-budget planning discussion with the Planning Department, Inspectional Services Department, and CPA Program Manager to prepare for the Committee’s FY26 Budget Review
- Possible amendments to dimensional controls, aligning use and zoning for residential developments within BU lots, with focused consideration for lots in and adjacent to residential neighborhoods
- Updates on VCOD proposals on potential projects brought to the Planning Department under the new Village Center Overlay District
Finance Committee will meet on Monday regarding:
- CPC recommendation to appropriate $34,626 for bike parking at parks and high schools
- Appropriating $43,800 from Free Cash to Newton Public Schools for Helpsy textile recycling
- Appropriating $17,600 from Free Cash to Newton Public Schools for Foster Care Transportation
- Transfer of $82,000 Parks and Recreation accounts to provide funding for Arts and Culture Director
Land Use Committee will meet on Monday regarding these requests:
- Planning and Development Board will join for these items regarding 148 California Street:
- Rezone 148 California Street from Manufacturing to Business Use 2
- Release 148 California Street from the Restrictive Covenant
- Special permit to allow for shared parking at 148 California Street, reducing parking requirement by one-third (260 stalls) to 519 stalls
- 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
- Special permit to exceed FAR and to allow three stories at 89 Redwood Road
School Committee
School Committee is not scheduled to meet this week.
Negotiations Sub-Committee of the School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Tuesday for negotiations with all units of the Newton Teachers Association.
Negotiations Sub-Committee of the School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Thursday on strategy for negotiations with collective bargaining units.
School Councils meeting this week:
- F.A. Day Middle School Council on Tuesday
- Memorial Spaulding School Council on Tuesday
- Zervas Elementary School Council on Tuesday
- Peirce Elementary School Council on Wednesday
- Countryside School Council on Thursday
Boards and Commissions
Commission on Disability will meet on Monday:
- Accessible Fines Report
- Discussion of Support for Newton Centre Plaza
- Review of CDBG Potential Architectural Access Project Recommendations
- Discussion of March film screening with UOD
- Ideas for Disability Pride Event 2026
- Report on Chair’s Meeting with Mayor Laredo and Follow Up Letter
Community Preservation Committee will meet on Monday:
- Pre-proposal Meeting for War Memorial Stairs Construction
- Public Hearing for City Hall Cupolas and Window Restoration Full Proposal
Parks & Recreation Signs & Naming Committee will meet on Tuesday:
- Review Commission feedback on proposed naming proposal
- Craft a few options for the Commission to review
- Begin discussion about park signage
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday:
- Zoning ordinance recommendations update
- Discussion of December 2025 Camoin Associates Newton Economic Development Strategic Plan
Planning & Development Board will meet on Tuesday to review and recommend substantial amendment to reallocate HOME ARP funds for supportive services.
Planning & Development Board will meet jointly with the Land Use Committee on Tuesday regarding a request to rezone a parcel from Manufacturing to Business Use 2 at 148 California Street.
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday on a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish existing garage and construct new garage at 107-109 Grove Street.
Urban Design Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding sign-permit requests for:
- Fitness Together at 2086-2098 Commonwealth Avenue
- The Village Bank at 319 Auburn Street
- Court 16 at 300 Needham Street
Newtonville Area Council will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Washington Street Survey
- NAC Open Positions
- Newtonville Village Day
- Marketing and Communications vendor
- Bullough’s Pond “Flood Zone” Constituents
- Bramway Snow Removal Site Visit
- Area Council Expansion
Waban Area Council will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Police Meet and Greet – coordinate with Police Chief Timothy Cohoon
- Waban Night
- Home Energy Solutions
- Superintendent Nolan School Report
- Waban Beautification: Lighting, Large Pot Plantings, sidewalk trees
- Issue Debates
Other
Mayor Marc Laredo will hold listening sessions at Bigelow Middle School at 7PM on Wednesday and at Burr Elementary School on Thursday.
State Rep. Amy Sangiolo will hold office hours at City Hall, Room 211, on Friday, February 13, 11AM-12:30PM.
Ward 4 Councilor Randy Block will hold office hours on Sunday, February 15, 3PM-4:30PM at the Auburndale Community Library.
Development Review Team will meet this week to discuss this potential project:
- 395 Lexington Street: Special permit to extend a nonconforming two-family use to allow a 4-unit multi-family dwelling
This week’s road construction schedule.
Ed. Note: We revised this post to include the Development Review Team meeting and revised it again to add the Waban Area Council meeting.
