The Land Use Committee met on Tuesday, May 12. See the report and meeting video.
Approved
- Withdrawal without prejudice of request to exceed FAR at 11 Richfield Road (#94-26) (7–0-1 Councilor Golden not voting) at the petitioner’s request.
- Request to allow retaining walls exceeding four feet in height and amend Special Permit #211-21 at 43 Kenwood Avenue (#164-26) ( 8–0) The proposed series of boulder retaining walls addresses steep rear-yard topography. The largest individual wall is 3 feet 9 inches, classified as 10 feet tall due to the close succession of the walls. Petition Documents Draft Order
- Request to further extend nonconforming FAR at 104 Eldredge Street (#165-26) (8–0) The petitioner proposes a 586-square-foot attached garage (three doors) in the space currently occupied by a portion of the basement and under an existing deck, increasing FAR from .56 to .60 where .38 is the maximum allowed. A resident spoke in support of the project at the public hearing. Petition Documents Draft Order
- Request to exceed FAR and façade ratio at 19 Saxon Road (#166-26) (8–0) The petitioner proposes a detached two-car garage and rear addition, increasing Floor Area Ratio from .33 to .41 (maximum .34) and façade ratio from 54% to 65% (maximum 60%). Because of the property’ sloped grade, the basement is included in the FAR calculations. FAR relief would not be needed if the basement was not counted. Petition Documents Draft Order
Held
- Request to allow three stories, exceed height, and associated parking waivers at 1100–1102 Beacon Street (#130-26) (8–0) public hearing continued. The revised proposal calls for four live/work units in a three-story building. Councilors raised concerns about the enforceability of live/work use (not defined in Newton’s zoning ordinance), the adequacy of visitor parking (one space for four units), and the need for clearer expectations from the petitioner. The Chair proposed a future working session on the live/work definition. Petition Documents
- Request for a special permit to allow 16 attached single-family dwellings at 93, 103, and 0 Thurston Road (#131-26) (8–0) public hearing continued. Neighbors raised concerns about protection of the Lupien path, traffic and parking impacts, potential flooding, proximity of units to a rock ledge, and proposed curb cuts. Councilors requested soil testing results, a landscaping plan, and an alternative plan with fewer units and curb cuts. Petition Documents
Present: Councilors Kelley (Chair), Leary, Irish, Block, Farrell, Golden, Lucas, and Roche
Also present: Councilors Oliver, Malakie, and Albright
City Staff Present: Senior Planner Sondria Berman, Deputy City Solicitor Jonah Temple, Acting Director of Planning Katie Whewell, and Planning Associate Zach Melcher
