Tuesday night was difficult for me as a member of the Land Use Committee. I witnessed a very promising, small infill development proposed for a vacant lot in the heart of a Nonantum be withdrawn by the applicant after months of meetings and negotiations. The proposed building included thirteen very modest-sized…
Posts published in “Projects”
The Newton Food Pantry announced plans for the construction of Newton’s first standalone food pantry, to be completed by Spring 2026, according to a March 3 press release. The single-story building, to be built on an empty lot at 131 Rumford Avenue in Auburndale, will be an upgrade from the…
After much discussion and debate in the March 11 Land Use Committee meeting, the owner of 386-390 Watertown Street withdrew his request for a zoning change and a special permit. At the March 4 City Council Land Use Committee meeting, members had learned that the ongoing zoning change and special…
Before the March 3 City Council meeting, which was to consider rezoning and a special permit for the much disputed property at 386-390 Watertown Street, two emails circulated, informing some Councilors and the Council President that the property had been sold the day before a key Land Use hearing on…
After three hours of free-ranging debate on the pros and cons of granting both a zoning change and a special permit for 368-390 Watertown Street in Nonantum to allow for the addition of another floor and three more units, the Land Use Committee voted to defeat both items. Nonantum Neighborhood…
Newton’s housing crisis prevents the many workers who keep the city running from being able to live here. As costs soar, employees across industries are forced to commute from other communities. “It doesn’t sit right with me that in Newton the person making my morning coffee can’t even afford to…
The City of Newton broke ground February 13 on a multi-use synthetic turf field at Albemarle Field — part of a $9.5 million park renovation aimed at improving recreational facilities while addressing longstanding concerns about flooding. Synthetic turf improves field usability during and after bad weather but has also raised…
A recent request to revise an approved special permit for development in Nonantum has stirred controversy around a lot that has remained vacant for seven years. On October 7, 2024, the City Council issued a special permit to the owners of the property at 386-394 Watertown Street to build a…
As reported previously, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s January 16 newsletter announced the beginning of an initiative for a new plaza in Newton Centre. The proposed space would extend beyond the current Newton Centre Green and utilize 51 parking spaces from the current Langley Lot. Planning Department Director Barney Heath said that…
Mayor Ruthanne Fuller has proposed a pilot project to build a temporary community plaza in Newton Centre over part of the central triangle parking lot that is bounded by Beacon Street, Centre Street, and Langley Road. The new plaza would be built on about one-fifth of the parking lot, on…