Newton is a distinctive
community for a variety of reasons, from its unique neighborhood
identities to its cultural diversity and abundant historic areas.
It's also under a lot of pressure from rising real estate prices,
a lack of undeveloped land, and ever-increasing traffic. Maintaining
and
protecting
Newton's
unique character takes a lot of hard work.
COMMUNITY
PRESERVATION ACT - Newton has made some very real progress recently,
with passage of the Community Preservation Act, which provides a
pool of funds to be used for projects in affordable housing, open
space, and historic preservation. Already a significant number of
proposals have been funded by the Community
Preservation Commission.
HISTORIC
DISTRICTS - Chestnut
Hill and Newton
Upper Falls already had Historic Districts,
and a new one was established in Newtonville last
year.
After a great deal of effort a district has now been created
in Auburndale.
Much
has
been done, but
a lot of work remains.
INCLUSIONARY
ZONING - Major changes were made last year to the Inclusionary
Zoning Ordinance, providing significant new incentives to developers
to include affordable units in any new development. The new ordinance
was approved by
the Board of Aldermen and should provide another valuable
tool to help increase affordable housing in Newton.
POTENTIAL
ZONING TOOLS - From large multi-unit projects to McMansions and
Rear Lot Subdivisions, Newton faces continuing pressure from new
real
estate development in a city with little if any undeveloped land.
We need to develop new 'tools in the toolbox' that open new ways
to
help preserve the unique character of neighborhoods while
allowing reasonable development. Overlay Districts and Design
Review Guidelines are just two promising approaches that may help - serious
work is underway.
