Newton City Council Approves Northland Project

NEWTON, MA — The Northland development project in Newton's Upper Falls - the city's largest in recent memory - was approved Monday night.

This project will transform 23 drab acres of old parking lots, an outdated shopping plaza and industrial buildings into desperately needed homes, amenity-rich office space and eight new parks,” said Newton-Needham Regional Chamber President Greg Reibman. “I applaud our city leaders and the developer on this collaborative effort, which will bring workforce housing, jobs and economic vitality to our region and new tax revenue to the city.”

Northland Investment Corporation's project would transform three parcels in a 22.6 acre area that includes the old mill factory near the corner of Needham and Oak streets into 800 units of apartments, including 140 deemed affordable. It would also be home to a spray park and a number of business, restaurant and office space and a shuttle service to link the area to the MBTA in an effort to attract non-drivers.

Those opposed to the development have cited three main concerns — transportation, traffic and impact to schools — since Northland first started the process in 2018.

In response, the city and Northland have worked together and trimmed and adjusted the project - everything from the number of housing units to how much retail and restaurant space. Most recently the mayor, who supports the project, requested the developer pay a $1.5 million mitigation fee to go toward renovations at the Countryside Elementary School, where any children would be sent, should they live there. It's the first time mitigation funds have been directed toward a school near a development.

RightSize Newton, made up of a group of residents who oppose the project said it's not enough.

Several groups who oppose the scope of the project, attended the meeting to send a message to city councilors Monday.

A group of residents called Right Size Newton worked to pressure nine city councilors to vote against it. And plan to continue to fight.

Under city charter, they have 20 days to collect signatures from 5 percent of Newton’s registered voters –or about 3,000 people. If they get the necessary signatures, the city would put the question in the hands of voters.

“Right Size’s threatened petition drive is remarkably short-sighted and disruptive, said Reibman. “Northland’s transportation mitigation plan and every other aspect of their project has been thoroughly vetted by some of our region’s top independent peer reviewers."

At its Dec. 2 meeting, the council is also expected to approve the Washington Street Vision Plan. Neighborhood leaders in West Newton and Newtonville are also planning to continue a fight against that project should it pass.

Both have the support of the mayor and the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce among others.

"It is unfortunate that a compromise balancing different points of view has not been reached on these two important matters," said Randall Block of Right Size Newton. "However, when neighborhood groups are not taken seriously and have little impact on the ultimate development plan, then it is time to take drastic action. We do not make this decision lightly, but we see no other way to proceed."

RELATED:

• Newton's Northland Project Decision Postponed To
• More: Newton-Needham Chamber Urges City Council To Support Northland