Newton City Council - March 2, 2026

City Council
March 2, 2026
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Executive Summary

The Newton City Council met on March 2, 2026, to address several land use and public safety items. Key actions included the approval of a rezoning request for 148 California Street from Manufacturing to Business Use 2 to support local business flexibility, despite concerns regarding the loss of commercial-only space. The Council also deliberated on an appeal to shorten the trial period for the Newton Center Plaza in the Langley Road Municipal Parking Lot. While an amendment to move the end date to June 30, 2026, was adopted, the final appeal to shorten the trial failed, meaning the plaza will remain in place until October 31, 2026. Additionally, the Council approved a $1.5 million transfer for snow removal and several reappointments to city committees.

Meeting Information

  • Governing Body: Newton City Council
  • Meeting Date: March 02, 2026
  • Meeting Type: Regularly Scheduled Meeting
  • Presiding Officer: President John Oliver
  • Attendees: Councilors Susan Albright, Martha Bixby, Randy Block, Brittany Hume Charm, Cyrus Dahmubed, Stephen Farrell, Rena Getz, Brian Golden, Lisa Gordon, Maria Scibelli Greenberg, Rebecca Walker Grossman, Julie Irish, David A. Kalis, Andrea W. Kelley, Joshua Krintzman, Alison M. Leary, Tarik J. Lucas, Julia Malakie, David Micley, Sean Roche, Jacob Silber, and Pamela Wright.

Land Use Committee Report

Councilor Andrea W. Kelley presented the report from the February 24th meeting:

  • Item 92-26: Request to vertically extend nonconforming front setbacks at 55 Auburndale Ave. Approved 8-0.
  • Item 93-26: Request to further increase nonconforming FAR at 1445 Commonwealth Ave. Approved 22-2 (Councilors Sean Roche and Lisa Gordon opposed). Councilor Roche noted, "There wasn't a compelling reason for the already non-conforming property to exceed its non-conformance with relation to FAR."
  • Public Hearings: Requested for March 10, 2026, regarding items 104-26, 103-26, and 102-26.

Zoning and Planning Committee Report

Councilor R. Lisle Baker presented the report:

  • Item 91-26: Discussion and possible amendment to change the effective date of 60% for the facade build-out. Voted No Action Necessary (NAN) 5-3. (On the floor, the item saw 2 no votes from Councilors Krintzman and Silber).
  • Item 95-26: Reappointment of Councilor Susan Albright to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Approved.
  • Item 99-26: Presentation and discussion regarding the Town of Brookline's proposed rezoning at Route 9, Hammond Street, and Hammond Pond Parkway. The Council adjusted the docket language for clarity.

Public Facilities and Finance Committee Reports

The Council reviewed several financial and appointment items:

  • Item 97-26: Transfer of $1,500,000 for snow removal. Approved 7-0 in both Public Facilities and Finance.
  • Item 89-26: Transfer of $150,000 for Cooper Center project closeout costs. Approved 8-0.
  • Item 82-26: Appointment of Mayor Ruthanne Fuller to the Horace Cousins Industrial Fund. Approved 8-0.
  • Reappointments (Design Review/Selection Committees): The following individuals were approved 7-0: Jonathan Kantar (79-26), Signing Quo (80-26), Amy MacKrell (81-26), Stacey Roman (86-26), Kenneth White (87-26), and John Sinnott (88-26).

148 California Street Rezoning (Items 71-26 & 72-26)

The Council debated a petition to rezone 148 California Street (Stop & Shop Plaza) from Manufacturing to Business Use 2 (BU2) and release a 1988 restrictive covenant.

  • Discussion: Councilor Alison M. Leary argued the change supports local businesses by removing the need for a special permit for every change of use. Councilor Randy Block opposed, citing a 2023 UTIL study: "Given the city's critical need to keep part of the district for commercial and industrial purposes, they recommend designating an area east of Los Angeles Street as a zone for commercial uses only."
  • Item 71-26 (Rezoning): Approved 19-5. (Nays: Block, Malakie, Kalis, Farrell, Silber).
  • Item 72-26 (Covenant Release): Approved 17-7. (Nays: Block, Kalis, Malakie, Silber, Oliver, Farrell, and one other).

Appeal of Traffic Council Decision: Newton Center Plaza (Item 10-25)

The Council considered an appeal (TC 59-25) to shorten the trial of the Langley Road Municipal Parking Lot plaza.

  • Public Comment Summary: Councilor Tarik J. Lucas read an email from Dr. Andrew Popper, who stated the loss of parking "disincentivizes [patients] to come for appointments," impacting their mental health. Conversely, Councilor Susan Albright and others argued the plaza provides a vital accessible gathering space.
  • Amendment: Councilor Julia Malakie moved to change the proposed end date from May 31 to June 30, 2026. Amendment Passed 16-8.
  • Final Vote on Appeal: The motion to uphold the appeal (which would have ended the trial on June 30) Failed 9-15.
  • Outcome: The trial will continue as originally scheduled by the Traffic Council until October 31, 2026.

Last updated: Mar 6, 2026

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