Zoning & Planning Committee - August 17, 2026

• Meeting Date: August 17, 2026
• Governing Body: Zoning & Planning Committee
• Meeting Type: Regular Committee Meeting
• Chair: Councilor R. Lisle Baker
• Committee Members Present: Pamela Wright (Vice Chair), Susan Albright (online), Lisa Gordon (online), David A. Kalis, Rena Getz, Cyrus Dahmubed.
• Other Councilors Present: Randy Block, Sean Roche, Julia Malakie, Stephen Farrell.
• Staff Present: Jonah Temple (Chief Administrative Officer), Nora Colello (Planning Department), Amanda Walsh (Planning Department), Jennifer Caira (Planning Director).

The Committee interviewed and voted on four appointments. Chair Baker noted that the effective dates for new ZBA members would be deferred to ensure an orderly transition for ongoing cases.

1. Chris Markowitz (ZBA Member): Former Councilor with six years of experience on Land Use and Real Property Reuse committees. Discussion focused on his financial expertise regarding pro forma financials and the new state zoning variance standards.
   • Action: Approved 7-0.
2. Sapir Ng (ZBA Member): An architect with 25 years of experience, including 40B residential projects. Discussion centered on design quality versus cost and the importance of community outreach.
   • Action: Approved 6-0 (Councilor Oliver absent).
3. Donnie Capasso (ZBA Alternate Member): A local property manager and developer (Capasso Realty). He emphasized the importance of respecting neighbors during the development process.
   • Action: Approved 7-0.
4. Doug Cornelius (Historical Commission Reappointment): Current Chair and attorney. Discussion addressed the 'onslaught of demolition' in Newton, the effectiveness of the 12-month demolition delay, and the impact of the Village Center Overlay District (VCOD).
   • Action: Approved 7-0.

The Planning Department presented a citywide analysis of residential parcels (1-3 units) currently located in Business 1 (BU1) or Business 2 (BU2) zones. The goal is to identify 'anomalies' where commercial zoning allows for significantly higher density and massing than the surrounding residential context.

Key Parcel Recommendations:

• Newton Upper Falls/Waban: 1295 Boylston Street was identified as a candidate for rezoning to residential. Chestnut Street parcels were recommended to remain commercial due to their mixed-use historic character.
• West Newton: 49 and 53 Cross Street and 57-59 Parsons Street were identified as candidates for rezoning. 1077-1079 Washington Street will remain commercial.
• Washington/Watertown Streets: 953 Washington Street was identified for rezoning to residential.
• Auburndale: 284 Melrose Avenue was flagged as a potential candidate, though its proximity to other business lots was noted.
• Newton Center/Four Corners: 5, 7, 9, and 11 Carthay Circle and 1062 Beacon Street were identified for rezoning. 58 and 60 Brentwood and 850 Walnut Street were also recommended for residential rezoning.
• Oak Hill Park: 18 Hanson Road, 10-12 Hanson Road, and 633 Sawmill Brook Parkway were identified for rezoning to residential to prevent large-scale condo developments in a mid-century residential block.
• Peabody Street: 21-23 and 25-27 Peabody Street were placed on a 'maybe' list for further consideration.

Action: The item was held to allow the Planning Department to package specific sites for a future public hearing.

The Planning Department proposed amending Section 7.3.3.C.1 of the ordinance to explicitly allow the City Council to consider 'proposed dimensions' when evaluating special permits.

• Proposed Language: 'The specific site is an appropriate location for such use and structure, including the proposed dimensions.'
• Committee Discussion: Councilors expressed concern that the language was too broad. Councilor Malakie and others suggested explicitly including 'context' as a criterion. Councilor Roche noted that special permit criteria should also eventually address housing and climate goals.
• Action: The Committee requested the Planning Department return with alternative language that provides more specificity regarding 'contextual' requirements.

Councilor Kalis introduced two items for future study:

1. Item 84-26: Impact of recent ordinance changes on costs and new growth, specifically focusing on the 'friction point' where the tree ordinance and stormwater runoff regulations conflict.
2. Item 57-26: Amendments to the 60% facade build-out ordinance, particularly its unintended consequences on odd-shaped or sloped lots where height measurements from existing grade trigger the requirement.

Action: Both items were held for future discussion.