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LEARN - Topics of Interest

Join Our Consensus Study Committees

January 10, 2023

League of Women Voters of Kalamazoo Area PoliciesAt its Annual Meeting held on June 12, 2022, the LWVN membership approved the formation of a Consensus Study Committee to update it’s zoning positions. This will be an intensive study of local zoning, and will be conducted in four stages:  research and study; consensus meetings; preparation of a study report; and determination if an existing position should be revised or deleted, or if a new position is warranted and development of that position.

We are inviting all members to join us in the conduct of this study.  There are lots of opportunities to participate, on whatever level and devoting as much time as you are comfortable with.

City of Gastonia - Applications and PermitsThe study will be focusing on five key areas:

  • review of Newton’s Comprehensive Plan
  • examination of current zoning techniques
  • examination of zoning ordinances that affect housing
  • reevaluation of our support for historic districts
  • examination of transportation goals

Anyone interested in participating should fill out this Form, letting us know what you are interested in and how much time you have to participate.  A LWVN Board member will get back to you with further details.

Read more →

Categories: Consensus Studies - Newton, Housing, Land Use, News, Transportation, Zoning, Zoning

LWVN Supports West Newton Armory Project

January 9, 2023

On January 9, 2023, LWVN sent a letter to the Zoning Board expressing its support for Metro West Collaborative Development Inc.’s request for a Comprehensive Permit, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40B, to redevelop the West Newton Armory into a 100% affordable development with 43 affordable residential rental units, community space, office space, and 33 parking stalls.

Support of this request is in alignment with Newton’s Comprehensive Plan and LWV values and positions.  Given the City’s need for these units, we think that approval of this project should not be delayed and we urge timely approval of this Comprehensive Permit.

You can read the entirety of LWVN’s letter below.

Categories: Housing, Local Action Log, News, no-front-page

LWVN Supports Updates to Accessory Apartment Ordinance

October 13, 2022

On October 13, 2022, LWVN sent a letter to the City Council expressing its support for proposed updates to the Accessory Apartment Ordinance.  These changes will amend the Accessory Apartment Ordinance originally adopted in December 2017, which allows homeowners to create an accessory apartment, as of right, within the main residence.

The proposed updates are primarily intended to address the two things that were not adopted five years ago by allowing:
1. The building of detached accessory apartments, by-right, up to 900 sf in size (these will continue to conform with other rules for accessory buildings).
2. The creation of an accessory apartment in a newly built home, thus eliminating the requirement that the main residence be at least four years old before an accessory apartment can be built.

You can read the entirety of LWVN’s letter below.

Categories: Housing, Local Action Log, News, no-front-page

Give Your Feedback on Proposed Changes to Village Center Zoning

October 13, 2022

TAGGING doc cover

Please Provide Your Input on
Proposed Changes to Village Center Zoning

The City is considering updates to its zoning rules for our village centers and wants our feedback using this online Feedback Tool.  The end of the Feedback Tool has a free response section where you can write additional thoughts, and we encourage you to express your thoughts about the proposed zoning changes.  FEEDBACK IS DUE BY OCTOBER 16.

For more background, the last comprehensive update to Newton’s village center zoning was in 1987, almost 40 years ago. Zoning laws regulate how land in Newton can be developed and what kinds of new buildings are allowed. Zoning can influence store and business activity through parking and density requirements, whether green space or public spaces are required in new developments, the amount of housing supply near public transportation, and decisions people make about how to move through our spaces.

Helpful resources:

  • Watch this episode of the League Presents, with City Councilor Deb Crossley, speaking about  the Village Center Zoning Redesign efforts.
  • View 2022: Shape the Future of Your Village Centers Interview with City Councilor Deb Crossley
  • Visit the Newton Free Library’s interactive exhibit. You can view that exhibit in person, 2nd Floor Room C, or virtually here.
  • Read here for more information on the City’s Zoning Redesign Process and Village Centers Zoning Updates.
  • Read a Boston Globe Article  on Newton’s efforts to gather public feedback on proposed changes to Village Centers Zoning.

Categories: News, no-front-page, Zoning, Zoning

Village Centers Zoning Updates – Phase II

August 15, 2022

Beginning in 2021, the City’s Zoning Redesign project began it’s focus on village centers. The first phase of community engagement, which took place from the end of May through the beginning of October, 2021, asked community members: What do you envision for your village center(s)? What goal(s) do you want to guide updates to the village centers’ zoning?

Based on what was heard and discovered during that first phase, City staff presented to the Zoning and Planning Committee (ZAP) an overarching ‘framework’ of twelve proposed changes in this memo released on May 27. ZAP workshopped these proposals and reached consensus on further developing and getting community feedback on them. Read here in more detail a summary of the city memo, merged together with ZAP’s opinions and straw votes for each proposal.

The second phase of community engagement is ready to kickoff.  From September 1 through October 16th, the City of Newton will collect opinions on the proposed updates to the village center zoning regulations.

The city is still finalizing the material that community members will be able to access beginning September 1st.  In the meantime, you can:

  • Sign up for the Zoning Redesign newsletter to get notifications
  • Review the takeaways from the first phase of engagement and analysis for the village centers’ zoning
  • Get connected with a Network member if you have a connection to their community space or develop your own engagement plan to engage your own neighborhood block!

Read here for more information on the City’s rezoning process.

Categories: News, no-front-page, Zoning, Zoning

Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative: Mission Statement and Goals

June 30, 2022

Throughout its 102-year history, the League of Women Voters has been a vigorous advocate for transparent and accountable government. The League strongly believes that transparency and accountability in government–at all levels–is vital for a wide variety of reasons:  to encourage civic engagement, to measure goal achievement and evaluate results, to improve services and outcomes, and to track and monitor the actions of governmental bodies and elected officials.

In order to evaluate the transparency and accountability of Newton’s city government, and to advocate  for specific improvements, the League of Women Voters of Newton (LWVN) has launched a Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative. Over the next 12 months, LWVN will assess Newton’s municipal transparency and accountability, with reference to the needs in our community as well as examples and best practices implemented in other communities.

Read more →

Categories: News, Transparency

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Watch “The League Presents…”

The League Presents... is a monthly program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

  • The League Presents: Mental Health – A Community Conversation, Part 1
  • The League Presents: Newton Food Pantries Update
  • The League Presents: School Buildings and the Override, with Josh Morse, Newton Public Building Commissioner

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

The League registers voters and educates them about the important issues and challenges facing Newto

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

5 days ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Anti-LGBTQIA+ initiatives are taking root throughout the country and Newton is not immune. Hear from the ACLU’s Ruth Bourquin about the context, consequences, and responses to the anti-LBGTQIA+ backlash at this month’s virtual topic meeting. This meeting is free and open to the community. Register in advance: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lfuyhrzwtGNTYlmG-GpCBxTa1Z5MS81Ga#/registration ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Learn more about food insecurity in our community and what the Newton Food Pantry and the Centre Street Food Pantry are doing to help in the latest episode of The League Presents... from the League of Women Voters of Newton, MAWatch it now: lwvnewton.org/2023/03/the-league-presents-newton-food-pantries-update/ ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA updated their cover photo.

2 months ago

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA updated their cover photo.

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The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

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