1314 Washington St Rezoning Request & Special Permit - Please set aside the time

[Shari G]

Hello, West Newton Community

Please set aside some time tomorrow night to hear about, and/or respond to this important issue, one that will have an impact on West Newton and likely the rest of Newton. 

1314 Washington Street Rezoning request and Special Permit/Site Plan Approval request will be heard at the Land Use Committee meeting (in person: Council Chamber; virtual: Zoom link) on Thursday, October 6 at 7PM (see agenda).

As many of you know Mark Development, and Robert Korff, has purchased the Santander Bank property and he has also purchased the Newton Cinema. They are also in the process of acquiring additional buildings in West Newton Square.  This is the same Mark Development that is developing Dunstan East (currently an empty lot) and there are plans (at some point) for creating a Dunstan West.  Mark Development was also the developer of Trio in Newtonville and is involved with other projects in Newton. 

Tomorrow's meeting concerns the re-zoning request and Special Permit/Site Plan Approval. The request will be heard by the Land Use Committee. The proposed site development is for a mixed used commercial and residential space 1314 Washington Street.  There are many issues that have been raised about this development, some of which include:

- Housing issues - and whether this approach really does provide significantly more affordable housing in the area. What kind of housing?

- Increased density, and what appears to be a working assumption with various city officials that West Newton is a "large" (meaning, density large) district or village

- Re-zoning issues.  This project is one example to be re-zoned, and with special permit, but how does it fit within various frameworks that are also talking about rezoning?  Examples are the rezoning initiative that identifies communities as small, medium, and large communities, and with that description are discussions about building heights as well as density.   There is also the "MBTA communities" designation and what that means, for that may mean that the current boundaries of the village centers will change as new maps are drawn for the "districts."   Main street may not just remain on Washington Street.  Maps have yet to be drawn, or re-drawn.

- Traffic and parking issues.  The current proposal wants to decrease the amount of parking.  As of one of the last meetings, one idea put forth would be to create five (or four) more parking spots on Highland Street. 

- Architecture/design/aesthetics 

- The abutter's concerns. 

My apologies if I have any of the information incorrect or only partially correct. All I know is that it is important to stay active with what is happening in the community because it is our community and it is changing.  I hope that the discussion about change in West Newton does not turn into one where people take sides: develop or not to develop, for instance, or issues regarding housing, or even quick reactive approaches regarding "good" or "bad" changes. 

We do not have a West Newton Area Council. Other areas in Newton have their own area councils.  This development project in West Newton, as well as others to come, are just too important to just allow or simply let slip by.  West Newton needs improving - from an infrastructure standpoint to traffic to pedestrian use - and West Newton citizens really deserve to know and understand what is happening and what the implications are for their community, their environment, the value of their homes, etc.  I encourage you all to participate. 

Thank you for all the feedback and engagement regarding the intersection of Waltham Street and Washington Street.  I see there are new "orange" poles set up around the small concrete island.  It's a start.  Only recently, though, did I hear about cars drag racing down Washington Street and a delivery car from the pizza shop on Washington Street take a swift/sharp turn to go down Waltham Street - I don't think this was due to Google maps.  Michael H., you're right.  Police presence would be helpful.  

See you tomorrow! There's an in-person meeting and online zoom meeting. 

[Nancy Mazzapica]

Thank you Shari for sharing this information with the West Newton Community . It s important that we stay informed and involved with projects such as  Santander Bank and other developments which will impact West Newton . Marc Development  is also looking for a 115 parking waiver for this development 

Hope to see a good turnout either in person or virtual 

Nancy Solari

--
If you'd like to be added to this discussion group, visit this group at the link below, or simply send email to gswi...@alum.mit.edu with your name and affiliation with West Newton.
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "West Newton Community" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to westnewtonneighbo...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/westnewtonneighborhood/CAP%3DXQcbDHHukGAtz%2Bt7NTpOw6Lw8_HC%3D%2Br5UqUURwwpZrO%3D%2BOA%40mail.gmail.com.