Citing Concerns, Waltham Councillors Withdraw Zoning Amendment

After expressing concerns, the Waltham City Council withdrew a proposal to amend zoning rules that would have prohibited some residents from renovating their homes.

In a 14-0 vote during its Monday, March 25 meeting, the Council approved withdrawing the proposal. However, the changes could be proposed again in the future.

As a result of the withdrawal, a scheduled public hearing was cancelled. 

If approved, some homeowners would have been prohibited from finishing their attics or basements. City Councillor Robert Logan, who proposed the idea with City Councillor Ed Tarallo, said the amendment was intended to better manage development growth of commercial and residential buildings. 

Logan and Tarallo requested the withdrawal as several councillors voiced serious concerns. 

The scope of the proposal worried one councillor. City Councillor Ken Doucette said the amendment was too broad and would greatly burden the Rules & Ordinance Committee's already heavy workload. If the proposal had been debated during the meeting, it would have been referred to the committee.

Doucette also said reviewing the idea prior to holding a public hearing would have been a better approach. 

“There are better ways we can address this,” he said. 

Scheduling of the hearing also raised concerns. City Councillor Daniel Romard said he was upset the hearing was scheduled for the first day of Passover when people would be less likely to attend. 

City Councillor Kathleen McMenimen said she was concerned about the clarity of the proposal. She said the potential changes to the zoning regulations would have been more confusing than the current rules. 

Also, City Council President Robert Waddick plans to propose funding for the city to study its zoning regulations, according to Doucette.