November 8, 2018
Agenda
November 8, 2018, 7:30pm-9:30pm
Waban Library Center
- Approval of October Minutes and Treasurer’s Report. (5 minutes).
- Burning Issues from the Community (10 minutes).
- NewArt Center – proposal for collaborative area council effort to assist NewArt and discuss the role of arts in Newton and the future role of the NewArt Center (10 minutes).
- Update on Climate Change Vulnerability Workshop (SL – 5 minutes).
- Friends of the Quinobequin Update. (20 minutes).
- Brief Recap of last week’s presentation at Newton Highlands Area Council on the proposed development at 1114 Beacon St. (5 minutes).
- Zoning Reform Update. (45 minutes).
- The First Draft Zoning Ordinance and First Draft Zoning Map were presented to the City Council last month. The drafts and other relevant documents can be found on the City website.
- Ward 5 Zoning Forum - November 29th, 6:30-8:00pm (location TBA, likely Angier), the Planning Department will host a forum for Ward 5 residents to learn about the draft ordinance and provide feedback. This is an important opportunity for residents to weigh in. Please mark your calendars.
- December 13th 6:30pm - Mayor Ruthanne Fuller will visit us at the Waban Library Center to hear from Waban residents. We will follow up at 7:30pm with our regular meeting where Newton Economic Development Director Kathryn Ellis will hear from residents and representatives of Waban businesses about promoting a vibrant village center. Please join us.
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.
Waban Area Council
Meeting Minutes
November 8 2018 7:30pm
All WAC Members in Attendance
Members of the Community in Attendance: Carole Grossman, Judy Kohn, Beverly S. Bernson, Dorothy Butler, Bill Humphrey, Barbara Darnell, Groot Gregory, Don Ross, Maureen R Meagher.
City Councilor Present: Andrea Downs
October Minutes Approved. Treasurer’s Report Approved: Balance of $903 in WAC account.
Burning Issues from the Community Councilor Downs reviewed consequences of Newton voters’ rejection of a ban on recreational marijuana shops and rejection of a proposal to limit the number of recreational marijuana shops to 4. The City Council is obligated by law to permit 8 retail recreational marijuana shops. The number can be higher than 8 but the Planning and Zoning Committee can limit the number to 8. Of course all state and local permitting requirements must be met. Garden Remedies is in the permitting stage and will likely open soon. The Old Green Tea site, where medical marijuana is available will probably apply for a recreational permit soon.
Councilor Downs also announced new paving on Tamworth, Kewaydin and Collins Streets, as well as safety repairs. Councilor Downs will hold office hours November 17 at Grape Leaf in Newton Highlands. Community support needed to further develop and maintain the Cochituate and Sudbury Aqueduct Trails throughout their entire lengths.
RG brought up that Waban Health Center (20 Kinmoth Rd) is no longer operating. Clients and employees of Waban Health Center were taken over by Next Step Healthcare, but the land belonging to Waban Health Center is in bankruptcy court.
NewArt Center Dan Elias, Executive Director of the NewArt Center stated that costs of needed repairs and upkeep to current building which houses NewArt Center is at least $6 million. The staff and board of NewArt Center is trying to find other ways of fulfilling its mission. KW and WAC agreed that WAC will participate in collaborative area council effort(s) to assist NewArt to fulfill its mission that circumvents the need to spend $6 million on building repairs.
Update on Climate Change Vulnerability Workshop. Attended by SL on October 29. See www.newtonma.gov/climate. City wants input from the community. Next meeting will be Dec 5.
Recap of Newton Highlands Area Council meeting on the proposed development at 1114 Beacon St, site of Apgujung Restaurant (KW). All rental units. Clearly very preliminary. See details http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/neighborhood/highlands/links.asp.
Friends of Quinobequin Update. Maureen Reilly-Meagher stated that Friends of Q was started 4 years ago but interest from the community has been waning as of the last two years. Community members asked to rank concerns and wishes in recent newsletter. SL suggested a collaborative relationship with Friends of Hemlock Gorge.
Zoning Reform Update (RG)
< >First Draft Zoning Ordinance presented to presented to the Zoning and Planning Committee of the City Council on October 22nd. All documents available http://www.newtonma.gov/gov/planning/lrplan/zoning_redesign.asp.
Ward 5 Zoning Forum will be on November 29, 6:30-8 at Angier School.
December 13th 6:30 pm Mayor Ruthann Fuller will be at WLC. As described in agenda.
Meeting adjourned 9:30pm.
Respectfully submitted by Dinah Bodkin
