Highlights this week:
- City Council …discussing BERDO regulations before its regular meeting
- City Council …considering appeal of Traffic Council decision on end date for Newton Centre Plaza trial
- Public Safety & Transportation …continuing discussion of Winter Overnight Parking Ban
- Programs and Services …reviewing City Council Rules — and City Charter regarding structure, composition, role, and duties of the City Council and School Committee
City Council
City Council will meet on Monday, first as a Committee of the Whole to discuss BERDO, followed by its regular meeting, in which it is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket):
- Items Postponed to a date certain (March 2)
- Appeal Traffic Council decision extending the Newton Centre Plaza trial to May 31, 2026
- Request to rezone to Business Use 2 and release from Restrictive Covenant at 148 California Street
- Special permits to:
- Raise the roofline of the existing attic by 5.25 feet to create habitable space, vertically extending nonconforming front setbacks at 55 Auburndale Avenue
- Construct a one-story mudroom addition and a two-story rear addition, further increasing the nonconforming FAR at 1445 Commonwealth Avenue
- Reappointing:
- Jonathan Kantar, SingNing Kuo, and Amy MacKrell to the Design Review Committee
- Stacy Roman, Kenneth White, and John Synnott to the Designer Selection Committee
- Susan Albright to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust
- Appointing Ruthanne Fuller to the Horace Cousens Industrial Fund
- Transferring:
- $150,000 for Cooper Center project closeout costs
- $1,500,000 for snow removal costs
- No Action Necessary:
- Change Effective Date for the 60% facade build-out from March 1, 2026 to June 1, 2026
- Preliminary discussion with the Department of Public Works to prepare for the Committee’s FY26 Budget Review of this department and programs
The New Docket includes:
- Special permits to:
- Raze existing two-family dwelling and construct four attached single-family dwellings with dimensional relief at 60 Brookside Avenue
- Raze existing single-family dwelling and construct three attached single-family dwellings in two buildings with reduced setbacks at 11 Parsons Street
- Install an oversized secondary sign at 199 Boylston Street
- Discussion and possible amendments to multi-residence zones (MR1, MR2, MR3) to better regulate building size and incentivize housing preservation
- Presentation on Brookline’s proposed rezoning of the Route 9 corridor near Hammond Street
- Establishing a commission to review compensation for the Mayor, City Council, and School Committee
- Reappoint M. Ronald Mendes as City Treasurer/Collector
- Accept $50,000 MVP 2.0 grant for municipal vulnerability preparedness planning
- Improving compliance with street sweeping regulations in Nonantum
Public Safety & Transportation Committee will meet on Wednesday regarding continued discussion of a proposed ordinance change to the City’s overnight winter parking ban.
Programs & Services Committee will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Review of City Council Rules
- Review of Newton City Charter, including the structure, composition, role, and duties of the City Council and School Committee
Public Facilities Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled.
School Committee
School Committee will hold a special meeting on Monday regarding budget priorities as they relate to the FY27 Budget proposal.
Brown Bag Learning Lunch will be held on Tuesday, hosted by the Superintendent with Central Office staff and members of the School Committee regarding Curriculum Cycles Updates, ELA and STEM K12 Entry Plan.
School Councils meeting this week:
- Newton North School Council on Monday
- Zervas Elementary School Council on Tuesday
Boards and Commissions
Planning & Development Board will meet on Monday regarding petitions to release Lot 1 of the Farwell Street Subdivision from a recorded covenant and modify a recorded covenant for Lots 2–6, extending the deadline for completion of ways and utilities.
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Introduction of John Rice, Chief Community Services Officer
- Director Search (vote)
- Development reports, including Spring Fling event and Development Officer interviews
Newtonville Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday regarding a Certificate of Appropriateness to install solar panels at 203-205 Walnut Street.
Youth Commission will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Discussion with SparkShare Co-Founder & Executive Director Neil Silverston
- Youth Commission Advisory Board Subcommittee work, including at April 28 Newton Civic Spotlight
- May Celebration Meeting and proposed budget allocation
- Annual Report to the City Council
- 2026–2027 Youth Commission member selection process
Other
City Councilors Andrea Kelley, Cyrus Dahmubed, and Brittany Hume Charm will hold joint office hours on Friday, March 6, 2PM-3PM at the Auburndale Community Library (375 Auburn Street).
Development Review Team is scheduled to meet this week regarding Special Permits for these the potential projects:
- 56 Ramsdell Street: Locate a commercial garage/vehicle repair shop
- 474 Centre Street: ASPR to allow Winchester School of Chinese Culture at Eliot Church
