Zoning and Planning Committee - January 12, 2026

January 12, 2026
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Executive Summary

The Zoning and Planning Committee met on January 12, 2026, to conduct a new-term orientation and address a significant reorganization of the city's economic development functions. The committee received comprehensive presentations from the Planning and Law Departments regarding the statutory framework of zoning under M.G.L. Chapter 40A and the local amendment process. A major action item involved the approval of an amendment to City Ordinance Section 22-95, which transfers the staffing and oversight of the Economic Development Commission from the Planning Department to the Mayor's Office. The committee also introduced the new Economic Development leadership team, who outlined strategic priorities including business retention, vacant storefront mitigation, and process streamlining.

Meeting Overview and Introductions

  • Meeting Date: January 12, 2026
  • Governing Body: Zoning and Planning Committee
  • Chair: Councilor R. Lisle Baker
  • Committee Members Present: Chair Lisle Baker, Vice Chair David Kalis (virtual), Councilor Susan Albright, Councilor Lisa Gordon, Councilor Cyrus Dahmubed, Councilor Pamela Wright, and City Council President John Oliver.
  • Other Officials Present: Dana Hanson (Mayor's Chief of Staff), Andrew Lee (Law Department), Zach LeMel (Planning Department), Lauren Berman (Economic Development Director), and Cheryl Lappin (Deputy Economic Development Director).

Item 21-26: Presentation on Zoning and Amendment Process

The Planning and Law Departments provided an educational overview of zoning regulations and the legal requirements for amending the city's zoning ordinances.

Zoning Fundamentals (Zach LeMel, Planning Department):

  • Zoning in Newton is governed by Chapter 30 of the city ordinances and the State Zoning Act (Chapter 40A).
  • Zoning regulates land use, dimensional requirements (setbacks, lot coverage, height, and Floor Area Ratio), and development standards (parking, signage, and inclusionary zoning).
  • Review Tiers:
    1. By-Right: Administrative approval via the Inspectional Services Department (ISD).
    2. Special Permit: Discretionary review where the City Council serves as the Special Permit Granting Authority in most cases.
    3. Variance: High-bar relief granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for prohibited uses.
  • Limitations: Zoning does not regulate building materiality, internal configurations, or ownership structures (e.g., condos vs. rentals).

Zoning Amendment Process (Andrew Lee, Law Department):

  • Statutory Requirements: Amendments require a referral to the Planning and Development Board and a joint public hearing.
  • Notice Requirements: Public hearing notices must be published 14 days in advance for two consecutive weeks.
  • Effective Date: Once passed, the effective date of a zoning ordinance relates back to the first date of public hearing publication.
  • Voting Thresholds: Most amendments require a supermajority (two-thirds or 16 of 24 votes). However, under recent MBTA zoning law changes, certain housing-related amendments only require a simple majority.

Item 23-26: Economic Development Reorganization and Ordinance Amendment

The committee discussed a request to amend City Ordinance Section 22-95 to relocate the Economic Development Commission (EDC) from the Planning Department to the Mayor's Office.

Key Provisions of the Amendment:

  • Relocates the EDC ordinance from Chapter 22 (Planning) to Chapter 7 (Boards and Commissions).
  • Designates the Economic Development Director (or designee) as the staff liaison for the commission.
  • Direct Quote: "The new economic development director shall serve as the executive director to the commission."

Strategic Priorities (Lauren Berman, Economic Development Director):

  1. Support and Retain: Focus on existing businesses as the bedrock of the local economy.
  2. Attract New Businesses: Position Newton as a premier location in Greater Boston.
  3. Address Vacant Storefronts: Utilize programs like the Massachusetts Vacant Storefront Program to revitalize village centers.
  4. Streamline Processes: Simplify the experience for new and expanding businesses at City Hall.
  5. Increase Visibility: Partner with Arts and Culture and Parks and Recreation to drive foot traffic to village centers.

Committee Discussion:

  • Coordination: Councilors emphasized the need for continued synergy between Economic Development and the Planning Department, particularly regarding housing, transportation, and climate resilience.
  • Budgetary Impact: Chair Baker raised concerns regarding the fiscal impact of adding a new deputy position and the potential loss of administrative support within the Planning Department.
  • Competition: Councilors urged the new department to be proactive in competing with neighboring municipalities for large-scale commercial tenants to bolster the tax base.

Official Actions and Votes

The committee took the following official actions:

  1. Item 21-26 (Work Plan):

    • Motion: To hold the item for future discussion as the work plan evolves.
    • Vote: Passed unanimously (7-0).

  2. Item 23-26 (Ordinance Amendment - Section 22-95):

    • Motion: To approve the amendment relocating the Economic Development Commission to the Mayor's Office.
    • Vote: Passed unanimously (7-0). Members in favor: Baker, Kalis, Albright, Wright, Gordon, Dahmubed, and Oliver.

Public Comments

No public comments were recorded during this session as it was primarily an organizational and presentation-based meeting.

Last updated: Jan 29, 2026

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