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Zoning

The League Presents: Zoning Redesign Part III; Village Center Overlay District Ordinance

Newton’s Zoning Redesign began in approximately 2010. The Village Redesign and ultimately the Village Center Overlay District  (VCOD) work began in 2021 with the Community Engagement initiative.

Given our goal of educating and informing citizens by engaging them through public conversations on timely and important issues, we thought it important to participate in the City’s extensive community engagement process.  One of the ways in which we did this is offering a League Presents series.

Jennifer Caira
Deb Crossley
Deb Crossley

Here is the third in our League Presents series on  Zoning Redesign.  In this episode, Marcia Johnson has a conversation regarding the Village Center Overlay District Ordinance with Jennifer Caira – Deputy Director, Planning & Development Department  and Councilor Deb Crossley – Chair Zoning & Planning Committee.  Issues discussed included:

 

  1. The goals, why these zoning changes are important to the community, and how these goals are being accomplished.
  2. The key features of the village center districts, as there is not a one-size fits all approach.
  3. What the Council and Planning Department have learned from residents, some of the changes made based on that feedback and clarification as to where confusions exist.

For background purposes, we encourage you to also view Parts 1 & 2 of our series:

Watch this episode

 

Join Our Consensus Study Committees

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.

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Give Your Feedback on Proposed Changes to Village Center Zoning

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.

Village Centers Zoning Updates – Phase II

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:

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

Membership Approves Consensus Study Committee on Zoning

Newton zoning map

At its Annual Meeting held on June 12, 2022, the membership approved the formation of a Consensus Study Committee to Update Zoning Positions.

More information about this study and the reasons for it are described below.  This will be an intensive study of local zoning, and membership interest in welcome and encouraged.  Anyone interested in participating in this committee should Contact Us.

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