June 14, 2018

Agenda June 14, 2018, 7:30pm-9:00pm
Waban Library Center
 
1. Approval of May Minutes (5 minutes)
2. Burning Issues from the Community (10 minutes)
3. Cold Spring Park Trail. Update from resident Alan Nogee on petition to upgrade and repair the trail (15 minutes).
a. Email petition to WAC list?
4. Update on Zervas Traffic Calming (5 minutes – KW)
5. Marijuana Dispensary Updates.
a. Update on Proposed Medical Marijuana Dispensaries – Green Tea site (CVS plaza on Rt. 9) and former South Pacific site (Four Corners). (10 minutes - RG)
b. Update on Proposed Ordinance to Prohibit Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries in Newton, before City Council Monday, June 18th, 7:45pm. (5 minutes – KW)
 
6. Zoning Reform Update. (15 minutes – RG)
7. Announcements:
a. Tour de Newton, Sunday, June 17th 9am-10:30am.
8. Next Meeting: July 12th. 
 
The location of this meeting is wheelchair accessible and reasonable accommodations will be provided to persons with disabilities who require assistance. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact the city of Newton’s ADA/Sec. 504 Coordinator, Jini Fairley, at least two business days in advance of the meeting: jfairley@newtonma.gov or (617) 796-1253. The city’s TTY/TDD direct line is: 617-796-1089. For the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS), please dial 711.

Here are some of the pertinent document to serve as background for the RMD discussion that we will be having tomorrow night.

#288-18 Special Permit Petition to allow RMD at 24-26 Elliot Street

CYPRESS TREE MANAGEMENT, INC petition for a SPECIAL PERMIT/SITE PLAN APPROVAL to allow a registered medical marijuana dispensary in a non-conforming structure, to waive minimum stall dimensions, to waive minimum aisle width for two-way traffic, to waive perimeter screening requirements, to waive interior landscaping requirements, to waive requirements for interior planting, to waive requirement for interior tree planting, to waive requirements for bumper overhang area landscaping, to waive requirements for 1-foot candle lighting and to allow the RMD to be located within 500’ of a school at 24-26 Elliot Street, Ward 5, Newton Highlands, on land known as Section 51 Block 25 Lot 01, containing approximately 25,320 sq. ft. of land in a district zoned BUSINESS USE 2. Ref: Sec 7.3.3, 7.4, 6.10.3, 6.10.3.D.1, 6.10.3.F.2, 4.1.3, 6.10.3.D.5, 7.8.1.C.1, 7.8.2.C.2, 5.1.12, 5.1.13, 5.1.8.B.1, 5.1.8.B.2, 5.1.8.C.1, 5.1.8.C.2, 5.1.9.A, 5.1.9.B.1, 5.1.9.B.2, 5.1.9.B.3, 5.1.9.B.4, 5.1.10.A.1 of the City of Newton Rev Zoning Ord, 2015. 

There is no Land Use Report as of yet for the Public Hearing held on Tuesday June 5th but there is Audio listed if one wishes to listen to the hearing.

city of newton webpage for the special permit considerations 

Current Special Permits - City of Newton webpage

(http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/aldermen/special_permits/current_special_permits.asp)

former Green Tea site

Elliot Street (24-26) - #288-18

Application of Intent - DPH

PD memo

site plan

Zoning Review Memo

For the Zoning Redesign discussion here is the last Planning Department memo on Zoning ReDesign.

#76‐18 Discussion relative to the draft policy content outline of Zoning Ordinance

DIRECTOR OF PLANNING requesting review, discussion, and direction relative to the Zoning Redesign Project on a draft policy content outline of the new Zoning Ordinance. 

Meeting Date: 
Thursday, June 21, 2018 - 10:30am

Waban Area Council

 Meeting Minutes

June 14 2018 7:30pm

 

 

Members of WAC Present:  Rena Getz, Patrick Maher, Kathryn Winters, Chris Pitts, Dinah Bodkin, Bob Jampol.

 

City Councilor Present:  John Rice

 

Members of Public Present: Judi Burten, Bill Humphrey, Qingli Jiang, Deena David, Alan Nogee, Barbara Darnell, Carol Todreas.

 

Burning Issues from the Community  Judi Burten: Two incidents of thumb tacks placed sharp end up in bike lane on Winchester St.  JR:  Mayor’s office and Newton police are working on this serious problem-who is doing this and how to make sure the incident is not repeated.

 

Cold Spring Park Trail Alan Nogee: Trail is dangerously deteriorated at this point.  Responsibility of Parks and Recreation; they agreed to replace exercise equipment.  Alan has started a petition calling for upgrading and better maintenance of the trail, which, it was generally agreed, may result in Parks and Recreation paying more attention to the problem.  KW offered to have petition included in next email blast sent out by WAC.

 

Update on Zervas Traffic Calming  JR:  Speeding occurs on Beethoven and Allen Ave.  The traffic department is considering adding crosswalks across Allen Ave. at Pine Ridge and Plainfield. They are considering curb extensions (bump-outs) at these crosswalk locations into the parking lane for traffic calming and to reduce pedestrian crossing distances.  In conjunction with the bump-outs, they are also considering raised crosswalks for Allen Ave, as that would go further to calm traffic. But raised crosswalks are costly and they need to discuss with fire department.  Can not add speed bumps because this would slow fire trucks. The traffic dept. is also considering crosswalks at Cochituate Aqueduct crossings on Allen and Beethoven, but those locations are not ideal given the vertical grades.

 

Marijuana Dispensary  Two potential medical marijuana dispensaries at sites of former restaurants South Pacific and Green Tea.  Both would eventually become recreational dispensaries as well.  KW:  Committee has approved ballot initiative which would prohibit recreational marijuana being sold in Newton.  Also in committee is a potential ballot initiative to limit number of stores in Newton selling recreational marijuana.  Topic is on June 16th City Council agenda.

 

Zoning Reform Update  RG: New zoning maps will be presented in July identifying “context based areas.”  What is currently in a given zone will determine what can be built in that zone going forward.  Massing will be determinant, rather than straight measurements.  Building placement, rather than straight setbacks will be a determinant.  A memo addressing current issues will be put up on WAC website under Zoning.

 

Announcements:  Tour de Newton Sunday June 17 9-10:30.  Clearing of invasive species with Friends of Quinobequin this Sunday 9:30 DCR pkg lot. 

 

Meeting adjourned 9pm.

 

Respectfully submitted by

Dinah Bodkin

Weight: 
-20