Planning & Development Department's "Friday Report"

Visit our website at https://www.newtonma.gov/government/planning

Meetings at a Glance

Monday, January 11 :

Commission on Disability, 6:00 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84610100556?pwd=L2FuS2Rsemt1UDlNeGlHOEpndnJ6QT09 or +13017158592,,84610100556#
Joint Zoning & Planning Committee and Finance Committee, 7:00 p.m. · https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87596723100 or dial +16465588656,,84596723100
Zoning & Planning Committee, 8:30 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84996642404 or +16465588656,,84996642404#

Tuesday, January 12:

Economic Development Commission, 6:30 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067293434 or +16465588656,,86067293434#
Auburndale Historic District Commission, 7:00 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86918688378 or +13017158592,,86918688378#
Joint Community Preservation Committee and Planning & Development Board, 7:00 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87085165533?pwd=ODcrQjUzTGVtMW43blhQTXV5dnhtZz09 or +13017158592,,87085165533#
Land Use Committee, 7:00 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83067563535 or +13017158592,,83067563535#

Wednesday, January 13:

Urban Design Commission, 7:00 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85810847200 or +16465588656,,85810847200#

Thursday, January 14:

Commonwealth at Auburn Street Redesign Public Meeting, 7:00 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718659714 or +16465588656,,86718659714#
Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission, 7:00 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85273986690 or +13017158592,,85273986690#

Meetings Next Week

Commission on Disability: On Monday, January 11 at 6:00 p.m. the Commission will meet via Zoom. To join this meeting, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84610100556?pwd=L2FuS2Rsemt1UDlNeGlHOEpndnJ6QT09 or dial +13017158592,,84610100556#. The following items are on the agenda: Approval of 12/14/20 Minutes, MassDOT Plans for Auburn (West) & Commonwealth Ave, Accessible Fines Reports, CDBG Access Projects Report, FY22 CDBG Funded Project Vote, Treasurer’s Report, ADA Coordinator’s Report, Nominating Committee Report, COD Officers Annual Election, Presentation by Anne Marie, Power Outage Update, NWH Committee Update. Contact Jini Fairley at jfairley@newtonma.gov or 617.796.1253
Zoning & Planning Committee:On Monday, January 11, at 7:00 p.m. the Zoning & Planning Committee will meet via Zoom. The following items will be discussed jointly with the Finance Committee. To join this meeting, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87596723100 or dial +16465588656,,84596723100. Chair’s Note: The Zoning & Planning Committee will join the Finance Committee to discuss the following two items: #25-21, Appropriate $1,137,285 from Free Cash for Permitting Management System; #458-20, CPC Recommendation to appropriate $1,433,000 in CPA funding for Grace Church. At the conclusion of the joint meeting (approximately 8:30 p.m.) the Committee will open a separate virtual meeting. To join this meeting, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84996642404 or dial +16465588656,,84996642404. Chair’s Note: The Zoning & Planning Committee will discuss the following item as well a discuss a schedule for Zoning Redesign elements that may be taken up as part of docket item #88-20. The following item will also be discussed: #485-20, Economic Development Commission requesting City Ordinance amendments. Contact Jennifer Caira at jcaira@newtonma.gov
Economic Development Commission:On Tuesday January 12 at 6:30 p.m. the Economic Development Commission will meet via Zoom. To join this meeting, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86067293434 or dial +16465588656,,86067293434# The following items are on the Agenda: Approval of the Minutes of December 8, 2020, City Updates, Reports from the Private Funding Program Subgroup, the Zoning Language for R & D and Modern Manufacturing Subgroup and the Subgroup meeting with Newton Needham Regional Chamber regarding Mentoring, Marketing and Other Matters, 2020 Assessment, 2021 Goals, 2020 Annual Report, Nominations for Officers of the EDC, and Other Business. Contact Devra G. Bailin at dbailin@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1122.
Auburndale Historic District Commission: On Tuesday, January 12 at 7:00 p.m. the Commission will meet via Zoom. To join this meeting, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86918688378 or dial +13017158592,,86918688378#. The following requests will be considered: 21 Lasell Street, to build a rear addition, rebuild the rear deck, add new windows, and build retaining walls. Administrative discussion to include approval of December meeting minutes. Contact Barbara Kurze at bkurze@newtonma.gov
Joint Community Preservation Committee and Planning & Development Board: On Tuesday, January 12, the Committee and Board will meet at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. To join this meeting, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87085165533?pwd=ODcrQjUzTGVtMW43blhQTXV5dnhtZz09 or dial +13017158592,,87085165533#. The following item will be discussed: review the new proposal from 2Life Communities for CPA, CDBG, and HOME funding for the Coleman House Senior Housing Preservation Project. This proposal requests $4,214,622 in CPA Community Housing funds, $400,000 in CDBG funds, and $130,000 in Newton HOME funds for the restoration and preservation of the existing 146-unit, completely affordable senior housing facility. Following the joint public hearing, the CPC will hold its own public hearing on the City’s proposal for additional funding of the Covid-19 Emergency Housing Relief Program. This proposal requests $1,200,000 in community housing funds to extend the existing rental and mortgage assistance program through June 2021. Lastly, the CPC will also begin to discuss the possibility of establishing an Affordable Housing Trust in Newton and how this new program would work with the CPA program. For additional information , contact Lara Kritzer at lkritzer@newtonma.gov
Land Use Committee:On Tuesday, January 12, the Committee will hold a virtual meeting via Zoom at 7:00 p.m. To join this meeting, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83067563535 or dial +13017158592,,83067563535#. The Committee will hear requests for extensions of time for petitions #513-18(2) Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to exceed the floor area ratio at 43 Kenwood Avenue; and #259-19(2) Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to allow three Single Family Attached Dwellings at 264 Pearl Street. The Committee will then hear the following petitions: #14-20(2) Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to amend Council Order #14-20 to allow a free standing sign at 287-289 Newtonville Avenue; #521-20 Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to exceed the floor area ratio and to allow an oversized accessory apartment at 26 Gilbert Street; #400-20 Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to further extend the nonconforming number of stories and to further increase the nonconforming floor area ratio at 727 Centre Street; #522-20 Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to allow a retaining wall greater than four feet tall within the setback at 17 Wallace Street; #523-20 Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to further increase the nonconforming floor area ratio and lot coverage, and to further reduce the nonconforming open space at 13 Prospect Street. Contact Neil Cronin at ncronin@newtonma.gov or 617.796.1141.
Urban Design Commission:On Wednesday, January 13 at 7:00 p.m. the Commission will meet remotely via Zoom. To join this meeting, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85810847200 or dial +16465588656,,85810847200#. The following items are on the agenda: Sign Permit Application for 104 Needham Street – free-standing sign, 300 Needham Street – One Medical, 24-26 Elliot Street – Redi, and Design Review for 306 Walnut Street. Contact Shubee Sikka at ssikka@newtonma.gov
Commonwealth Avenue at Auburn Street Redesign Public Meeting:On Thursday January 14, at 7:00-8:30 PM the City will host a publc information session on Zoom. To join this meeting, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86718659714 or dial +16465588656,,86718659714#. At the meeting, they will discuss a proposal by MassDOT to reconstruct the intersection of Auburn Street at Commonwealth Avenue. The work is part of MassDOT’s reconstruction of the bridge over the Charles River Project. Meeting information can be found HERE. Contact Nicole Freedman at nfreedman@newtonma.gov
Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission: On Thursday, January 14 at 7:00 p.m the Commission will meet via Zoom. To join this meeting, click https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85273986690 or dial +13017158592,,85273986690#. The following requests will be considered: 13-19 Winter Street, Working Session, feedback on proposal to demolish the rear addition, expand the main house block by moving the existing front and back walls out by three feet to a new foundation, and build a new addition on the left side; 959 Chestnut Street (Violations), resolution and approval of items determined to be in violation except for the building heights. Administrative discussion to include approval of November and December meeting minutes. Contact Barbara Kurze at bkurze@newtonma.gov

Project & Program Updates

New Affordable Housing Opportunities: Stay up-to-date on new affordable housing opportunities in Newton as they become available for rent or purchase. Click HERE to input your name and email address to receive the Planning Department’s Email Updates regarding available affordable housing units throughout the City. Contact Malcolm Lucas at 617.796.1149 or mlucas@newtonma.gov.
845 Washington Street (TRIO): TCC is accepting applications for 845 Washington Street, Newton, MA. Interested applicants should email lrubin@tccrealestate or call (617)313-7845 to obtain a Waitlist Application. As applicants reach the top of the Waiting Lists, they will be contacted by the Leasing Office to move forward in filling out a Lease Application. This units will be leased to income eligible applicants at an affordable price to households with incomes at 100 and 120% of the Area Median Income. For more information, please click here
75B Norwood Avenue, Unit 11: The City of Newton is accepting Applications for an affordable condominium in the Crystal Lake Manor Condominium Trust at 75B Norwood Avenue, Unit 11. Households with an annual income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) and assets less than $75,000 are eligible to apply for this unit. This is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom 528 square foot unit, priced at $209,210 with a monthly condominium fee of $323.75. The unit is equipped with a refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher and garbage disposal, with a common-use, coin-operated laundry room conveniently located across the hall. The heating system is gas with forced hot air. There is also a storage space for the unit. Off-street parking is also available with the unit. A Down Payment / Closing Cost Assistance Grant of $10,000 may be available to eligible applicants. While the original deadline for applications has passed, no eligible applicant was identified. All interested eligible households should apply. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. CLICK HERE to download the application. Completed applications should be emailed to Malcolm Lucas, City of Newton Housing Planner, at mlucas@newtonma.gov, or mailed to Newton City Hall, Planning and Development, 2nd Floor, RM 213 Attention: 75B Norwood Avenue, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02459. Please direct questions to Malcolm Lucas at mlucas@newtonma.gov or (617) 796–1149.
27 Commonwealth Avenue: Applications are being accepted for an affordable condominium in the Covenant Residences on Commonwealth Condos: 27 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill. Households with an annual income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) and assets less than $75,000 are eligible to apply for this unit. This is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom 750 square foot garden-level unit with a deeded parking spot. This unit is priced at $196,380, with a monthly condominium fee of $224. Pets are allowed with some restrictions. Features of the unit include: dishwasher, garbage disposal, microwave, open living and dining space, home office desk space, wall A/C, two large closets, ceiling fan, large bathroom, washer-dryer hook ups. All interested eligible households should apply. CLICK HERE to download the application. Completed applications should be returned to: Metro Housing Boston, Attn: Jennifer Shaw, 1411 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120, Fax 617-532-7539, Email: jennifer.shaw@metrohousingboston.org
Zoning Redesign: Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for our community engagement events on December 2 and 3! The Presentation, breakout room recordings, and survey are posted to the Zoning Redesign website, www.newtonma.gov/zoningredesign. Contact the Zoning Redesign team at zoningredesign@newtonma.gov
Emergency Housing Relief Program: Funds are still available and applications are still being accepted for rental and mortgage assistance for income-eligible households who have experienced a reduced income due to COVID-19 and earn 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) at the time of application. (For example, a family of four at the 80% AMI level has an annual income of $96,250.) The maximum timeframe that an eligible household can receive assistance from the program has been extended from three to six months. The funding assistance covers 70% of an eligible household’s monthly rent or mortgage for up to three months, with a possible three-month extension for qualifying households. The assistance has a monthly cap of $2,500 per household. Households currently receiving housing assistance (e.g. Public Housing tenants, RAFT, Section 8, MRVP or other locally administered support) are eligible for this program. Only Newton homeowners who reside in deed-restricted affordable properties are eligible to apply for mortgage assistance. The $2,500,000 program uses Newton Community Preservation Act (CPA) and federal Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) funds. Metro West Collaborative Development is administering the program on behalf of the City. Contact Metro West at robyn@metrowestcd.org (preferred method) or 617-923-3505 x5 to begin the application process. The details of this program, including program guidelines, can also be found HERE.
Baker-Polito Administration’s COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Initiative: In response to the expiration of the state’s eviction and foreclosure moratorium on October 17th, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the COVID-19 Eviction Diversion Initiative, a comprehensive set of expanded resources for renters, homeowners, and landlords facing eviction, foreclosure, loss of utilities and other housing emergencies due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this $171 million initiative is to keep tenants safely in their homes and to support the ongoing expenses of landlords. Services provided by the initiative include rental and mortgage assistance, legal aid, housing counseling, and post-eviction rapid rehousing through new and expanded programs. If you are struggling to make rent or mortgage payments, call 2-1-1 to speak with trained staff or visit www.mass.gov/CovidHousingHelp for additional questions and more information.
FY21-25 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice: The full draft report is available on the City’s website HERE. On Monday, December 7, 2020, the Planning & Development Board held a public hearing on this item to solicit feedback on the full draft report and to ensure that the City and Consortium are taking effective steps to affirmatively further fair housing. The City of Newton and the WestMetro HOME Consortium (13 contiguous communities, of which Newton is the lead) are required by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to prepare an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice (AI). The AI is a five-year plan that analyzes barriers in access to housing opportunities throughout the Consortium and identifies priorities and goals to address these issues. To develop the FY21-25 AI, the City of Newton and the Consortium contracted with consultants, Barrett Planning Group and JM Goldson LLC. To download the full draft report, please visit: https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=47557
West Newton Armory (1135 Washington Street): The City of Newton has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development’s Housing Choice Capital Grant Program to contract with a consultant team to conduct a pre-development feasibility analysis of the West Newton Armory’s suitability as a site for affordable housing. After releasing an RFP and creating an evaluation committee to review proposals, the City has selected Affirmative Investments to undertake this analysis. Affirmative Investments is a Boston-based, consulting firm with a successful track-record in helping developers, non-profits, and local governments expand housing opportunities and deliver critical services in low-income communities. The grant award and Affirmative Investments have been of substantial help to the City’s Joint Advisory Planning Group (JAPG) in identifying options for the Armory’s future use. On November 13, 2020, after 11 months of discussion, research, and analysis, the JAPG recommended that the City seek to purchase the Armory from the Commonwealth for $1 to redevelop the building into 100% affordable housing. The Armory, built between 1910 – 1912, housed the Massachusetts State National Guard for over 100 years. The National Guard decommissioned the West Newton Armory, which is now under the management control to the Commonwealth’s Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM). The City Council’s Real Property Reuse Committee held a public hearing on December 16, 2020 to discuss the JAPG’s recommendation and Affirmative Investment’s Report, The Committee will meet again in January to consider advancing the JAPG’s recommendation to the full Council for a vote. Click here to read the JAPG Final Recommendation and Report . In addition, please click HERE to read the Affirmative Investment's Final Draft Report. Contact Eamon Bencivengo at 617.796.1145 or ebencivengo@newtonma.gov or click here for more information on the Armory .
Sign Up for Mayor Fuller’s Email Updates: Looking for the latest news about happenings at City Hall and around Newton? Click the icon to the right or input your email address HERE to receive Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s Email Updates. To see archived editions of the Mayor’s Email Updates, visit the City of Newton website at www.newtonma.gov.

Planning & Development Department | City of Newton, MA | 617.796.1120