City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Zoning & Planning Committee will meet in person (City Hall, Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, July 20 at 7PM. The agenda includes:
- Discussion and possible zoning amendments to Section 1.5.3 Setback to allow for transformers to project into the setback.
Chair’s note: A representative from Eversource will join the committee on this item; the Chair has included an excerpt of the committee report and photos from the May 11, 2026 meeting for additional context. - Appointment of Catherine M. Feerick as Director of Newton’s Planning Department
- Discussion of the workload of the Historic District Commissions, the process for appointment of Commissioners including how they can be nominated by Councilors, the number of vacancies, qualifications sought, and administrative support provided
- Discussion and possible amendment to the Newton Revised Ordinances to allow the Auburndale, Newtonville, and Upper Falls Local Historic Districts to be governed by a single Local Historic Districts Commission
- Reappointment of Michael Alperin and Judy Weber to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust
Land Use Committee will meet in person (City Hall, Council Chamber, Room 207) and virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, July 21 at 7PM. The agenda includes requests for Special Permits to:
- Raze the existing building and construct a multi-family dwelling of four live/work units with relief to allow ground-story residential use, a three-story structure, up to 36 feet in height, and to waive three parking stalls at 1100-1102 Beacon Street. Petition documents. Planning Memo.
- Demolish the existing structure and construct a new two-family dwelling exceeding the maximum FAR and façade ratio at 22-24 Mechanic Street. Petition documents. Planning Memo.
- Construct multi-story rear and side additions, exceeding FAR, at 33 Aspen Avenue. Petition documents. Planning Memo.
Public Facilities Committee will meet in person (City Hall, Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, July 22 at 7PM. The agenda includes:
- CPC recommendation to appropriate $232,000 in Community Preservation Act funding from Unrestricted Prior Year Reserves to the Planning & Development Department, for a grant to the Public Buildings Department for the cupolas and windows at City Hall
- Petition to relocate the existing City drain easement at 129 Rowe Street from the right side of the dwelling to the left side to allow a new dwelling to be constructed (petitioner to pay entire cost). Petition documents.
- Eversource petition for a grant of location to install and maintain approximately 60 feet of underground conduit southerly from utility pole 69/4, plus an additional 450 feet of underground conduit and one new manhole easterly from the intersection of Prescott Street and Central Avenue, terminating at 75 Prescott Street. Petition documents.
- Discussion of the “two-foot rule” which allows street openings for utility work without a grant of location, including the origin and legal basis, State law requiring City Council approval for gas pipe street openings, and legal pathways to enable Newton to exercise more control over gas pipe installations
Public Safety & Transportation Committee will meet in person (City Hall, Room 205) and virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, July 23 at 7PM. The agenda includes:
- Discussion and ordinance change to the City’s Overnight Parking Ban. The Overnight Parking Ban Working Group will present its final report.
Chair’s note: Public Comment will not be accepted on this item.