Newton Voters Approve Northland Project: Election Results

NEWTON, MA — Nearly 60 percent of Newton voters approved a developer's proposal to build housing and shops on 22 acres in Newton Upper Falls.

Super Tuesday in Newton coincided with the controversial citywide vote to decide the future of the Northland project. A total of 18,450 voters approved the project and 13,398 rejected it. Read more: Opponents Criticize Northland Vote In Newton, Vow To Stick Around

"It has been a solid day with a steady voter turnout at the precincts," said Newton City Clerk David Olson. Early voting last week saw 4,613 voters cast ballots for the presidential primaries and 4,534 cast ballots in the special municipal election, he said.

Newton has 61,083 registered voters, 31,848 of which voted, meaning about half of registered voters cast ballots, according to the city clerk's office. By way of comparison: 50 percent of the city's registered voters cast ballots in the 2016 presidential primary.

One Newton voter, Margaret Monbouquette, 78, came out specifically to vote no on the citywide ballot question.

"I just don't want Newton to turn into a Brighton or a Waltham," she told Patch.

Monbouquette, who is unenrolled, said she also voted for Mike Bloomberg in the Democratic primary.

"We have to get this country back on track and I think he can do it," she said. "I think he's the only one who can do it."

Lauren Wise, 45, of Newton, but originally from Canada, said she came out to support Warren.

"Even if she doesn't make it all the way, I think it's important that her home state support her," Wise said.

When it came to the referendum, Wise said she likes the way the development looks and is happy with how much green space in set aside, though she admitted feeling a bit guilty about the vote since she doesn't live in that neighborhood.

Paula Kelleher stood out front of one polling station in Chestnut Hill with a sign encouraging voters to reject the ballot question. She said she feels strongly that the development is not a good precedent for the city.

"It's a development that is not just about Northland, it's about all developments in Newton and having developers and city councilors and a RightSize newton resident negotiate," Kelleher said.

She convinced at least one resident.

Akari Miki, 23, said she came out to cast her ballot for Elizabeth Warren.

"I just like her personality," she said.

When it came to the ballot question, though, Miki said she wasn't sure how to vote, until she talked with Kelleher on the sidewalk before heading into the polls.

"I didn't realize (the project's) possible impact on the neighbors. I felt that their opinions should be considered," she said.

Newton Super Tuesday results

Massachusetts Super Tuesday Election Results: Biden Shocks, Warren Falters

Northland

In December, the City Council approved a zoning change (by a 17 -7 vote) that provided a path for Northland Investment Corp. to transform three parcels making up the corner of Needham and Oak streets into 800 units of apartments, including 140 deemed "affordable." It would also be home to a park, 750 new trees and 180,000 square feet for businesses and restaurants. Plans also call for a shuttle service to link the area to the MBTA in an effort to attract non-drivers.

The referendum on Tuesday came after a group petitioned the city council to rescind their vote or put it before Newton voters.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, who supports the proposal, has said the shuttle service will help cut down on traffic to the area. Others question whether that will be enough to put a dent in the Needham Street corridor that is notorious for traffic, especially during rush hour.

City Councilor Deb Crossley, who stood next to then-Mayor Setti Warren back in 2016 when the project was first announced, said neighbors have been working with the developer.

Northland's Peter Standish told Patch he invited neighbors who were protesting to sit down with them and walk them through the project. The group RightSize Newton said that's true, but they weren't convinced they would be heard, so declined the invitation, according to its website. RightSize Newton advocates say they held several community meetings during which people in favor of the project were permitted to speak.

A no vote would have meant Northland would have to start the process over again, which is what RightSize Newton, or The Committee for Responsible Development, have said they wanted. RightSize Newton members have said if a no vote passed, they were concerned the developer would be more willing to sit down with them and adjust the project rather than go through a 40B process that could supersede zoning.

The folks who are in support of the development say it's been years of negotiations and compromise and they are happy with it. They said they were worried a no vote would have taken local control out of the equation.

If Northland decided to turn each of the three parcels into 40B housing, they could build more than 1,200 units and leave out the perks, according to proponents of the project.

Related: Super Tuesday In Newton Means Citywide Northland Vote, Too

Also: MA Super Tuesday Election Results

Opponents Criticize Northland Vote In Newton, Vow To Stick Around

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).