Newton Councilors To Discuss Northland, Possible Referendum

NEWTON, MA — After thousands of citizens petitioned in favor of this, City Council will meet Wednesday to discuss taking back its vote that allowed Northland Development to go ahead with its project in Newton Upper Falls.

In December, city council members approved a zoning change so that Northland Investment Corporation's project, which has been in the works for nearly four years, could transform three parcels in a 22.6 acre area near the corner of Needham and Oak streets into 800 units of apartments, including 140 deemed affordable. It would also be home to a parkland, 750 new trees and a number of businesses, including local businesses, restaurant and office space and a shuttle service to link the area to the MBTA in an effort to attract non-drivers.

But immediately following the vote, a group opposing the project called RightSize Newton began collecting signatures in an effort to require the city council to repeal the vote, or hold a special citywide vote asking Newton voters to decide.

Per City Charter, citizens can ask the city to do this if they get at least 3,032 certified signatures. The Clerk’s Office stopped certifying signatures at 4,258; 40 percent more than needed as allowed by the charter. RightSize Newton advocates said they collected around 5,000.

The council will return to discussion Wednesday, to decide whether it will vote to repeal or rescind its decision - or refer it to a public vote.

On Monday at least two councilors indicated they had no plans to change their minds, including Councilor Marc Laredo who, along with Councilor Lisle Baker criticized a process of having the question move so fast right to them, rather than go to a committee and take more time.

"I frankly think it's quite uncomfortable for us to be taking up [with] brand-new term first time [councilors]. It's [coming] before the council special [for a] meeting Wednesday night, we're going to be asked to vote in a special meeting within two days of docketing an item on a very significant matter," said Laredo who voted in favor of the project originally and said he I stood by that vote. "The process that we employ in this chamber... is incredibly important. For us to be taking up an item of this importance with two days notice in the beginning of January, I don't think is good process."

Other councilors said it made sense to move swiftly if they decided to put the question to voters in time to coincide with the March 3 presidential primary, and therefore save the city money.

If the council chooses to repeal or rescind its approval, the council vote must take place within 30 days of January 8. If the Council’s vote on a motion to repeal does not pass, or alternatively if the Council affirmatively votes to refer the measure to the voters, the Council will have 30 days from its vote to set a date for an election.

If the Council does not take any action on this item before February 7, 2020, it will automatically be referred to the voters and the Council will have 30-days to set an election date.

City Council President Susan Albright also requested the council set a date for a special election in the event the city council doesn't take back their Dec. 2 vote.

Opponents of the project cite transportation, traffic and impact to schools as the main reason for their opposition.

• See the proposed project's plan here.

"We wish the City Council would reconsider its decision to approve the Northland plan which will bring irreparable harm to Upper Falls and other affected neighborhoods," said Randall Block of RightSize Newton. "If that does not happen, we welcome the opportunity to take this issue to the voters."

Previously:

Newton's Northland Project Decision Postponed To ... (Nov)

Newton City Council Approves Northland Project (Dec. 2)

Northland Project Approved, But Newton Group Plans To Fight (Dec. 3)

Northland Project: Possible Referendum, Mayor's ... (Dec. 17)

RightSize Newton Files State Complaint Against Mayor (Jan 2020)

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).