Newton City Councilor Says ZAP ‘Not In Consensus’ On Zoning Framework

NEWTON, MA — A Newton City Councilor on the Zoning & Planning Committee (ZAP) has spoken out against the claim that the committee has reached a consensus on the framework in the city’s village center zoning redesign project.

Ward 3 Councilor at Large Pam Wright said the committee only took straw votes on the zoning framework and there has been more disagreement among councilors than is being let on.

“We were in consensus on three things out of the 12 items up for debate, and two of those three things had no real concrete numbers attached to them,” Wright said. “We wanted more data and we still need some analysis on this.”

“Some of it is good, but I really think we need more discussion,” she continued.

What ZAP members are currently debating is zoning framework and policy changes in three zoning districts designed for village centers. The three districts are tiered according to allowed intensity of use, with the intention to apply one or more of the districts according to the nature of the area.

Wright said all eight members were in agreement about removing minimum lot size, requiring a site plan review with design review for certain by right projects, and incorporating design standards, but several wanted more analysis before an official vote is taken.

Several things Wright remains concerned about in the proposed framework include a lack of sufficient parking in village centers and not enough lots requiring special permits.

For instance, Wright said that one of the items proposed would only require special permits for lots over 3/4 of an acre, a big jump from the current requirement of any building over 20,000 square feet.

“The City Council has approved thousands of units in the last several years and all of these are by special permit,” she said. "I think our special permits are working. We get better projects.

“Special Permits also allow extra care to be taken for potential impacts on abutters and neighborhoods nearby,” Ward 7 Councilor Lisle Baker added.

In terms of parking, one proposal Wright is concerned about exempted parking for ground floor commercial use.

“You need to look at what your village center is,” Wright said. “Waban has no city owned parking lots and Newton Center has four. The village centers are not all the same and without adequate parking, it may take business away from other village center places.”

Despite Wright’s concerns, ZAP Chair Deb Crossley said the council is still only in the preliminary stages and her priority is to inform residents of the zoning possibilities in order to make necessary changes.

“What is most important right now is to somehow get out to the public accurate info about what this is,” Crossley said.

Starting in September, Newton residents can voice their opinions on the proposed zoning framework via a feedback tool and a Newton Free Library exhibit. To view ZAP’s committee reports in detail, click here.

A public hearing also must take place before the City Council takes a vote on a proposed zoning change. This will take place sometime after October 16.