19:41:30 From Jennifer Caira : What do you want to better understand about Zoning Redesign? 19:42:33 From Madeline Mirabito : I agree 19:42:34 From James Elder- Maui Jim : Love George! 19:42:36 From Stephen Burnham to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : Hear Hear! 19:43:50 From Madeline Mirabito : Do Planning Department leaders live in Newton? 19:44:45 From George Flesh : Newton cannot be everything for everybody. 19:45:35 From Amy G : When will updated zoning maps be released? There was talk of areas within 1/4 or 1/2 mile of a train/bus station allowing even more dense development. Where is that decision at? 19:45:59 From George Flesh : Newton cannot be everything for everybody. We are part of a large metropolitan area with diverse housing for many income levels. 19:46:40 From Amy G : Will upzoning rules be consistent across all residential zones (ie, will R1 zones allow for as much density as R2, R3, etc.)? 19:47:30 From Vanessa Forsythe : Once concern I have is- it seems with the greater restrictions on size of homes, we are not considering the current pandemic situation where a signficent number of people are looking for additional space for offices/home gyms etc, private outdoor space. I believe the pandemic should influence the zoning reform. People are moving out of more dense areas like Boston/Cambridge in need of more space. 19:47:31 From Stephen Burnham to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : Does the Council commit to approval by referendum? 19:47:38 From Amy G : There is much talk of analysis/studies that are needed, but when is that actually going to happen? 19:51:36 From Jennifer Caira : Which of the Zoning Redesign goals feel most important to you? And why? (Remember, we’re planning for the next 50 years and beyond!) 19:51:58 From Jennifer Caira : For context, here are the 3 goals that the Zoning & Planning Committee straw-voted in: (a) Housing: A zoning code more responsive to a demand for housing that serves a range of incomes and promotes sustainable community development patterns (b) Sustainability: Environmental stewardship, fiscal strength and meeting community needs (c) Context: Preserve and protect what we like in our neighborhoods. Encourage new development to fit in the context of our neighborhoods and villages 19:52:26 From Stephen Burnham to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : Context. Preserve the character of our neighborhoods 19:52:44 From Stephen Burnham to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : Why can't I sent to everyone in this chat? 19:52:48 From dianepruente to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : When did we decide as a city that we want to rezone? what were the residents of the city asked about this? Do most people in newton support the urbanization process? 19:53:49 From Jennifer Caira to Stephen Burnham(Privately) : you should be able to choose everyone from the drop down on the chat 19:54:08 From Stephen Burnham to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : Thanks but can't 19:54:13 From Stephen Burnham to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : no worries 19:54:14 From George Flesh : The idea of allowing two family housing on most single family lots is a radical transformation of the character of the city. I have discussed this with dozens of homeowners, and not a single one would support this. Conversions of single family homes to multi-unit should be allowed only by special permit to consider specific circumstances. The vast majority of people in Newton have no idea what the current proposals contain. The essential aspects of the proposal need to be communicated by email, regular mail and the newton TAB so everybody understands what is at stake. 19:54:45 From Cedar Pruitt : Sustainability is crucial, and context and housing are important too. But how is our zoning addressing these issues? It's awful to bike and walk in Newton right now. Should we consider improving that first, before changing zoning? 19:56:02 From Madeline Mirabito : Agree. Why is this being done during a Pandemic 19:56:07 From Jonathan Chow to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : in response to the person asking about evidence for the ideas being put forth and their effectiveness: i think that an important component to zoning redesign is to be tracking data that points to whether or not the redesign is working in the way we intend. if it is not, we need flexibility built into the design to change course if need be. 19:56:25 From Amy G : Agree with Tarik's comments - thank you! 19:56:54 From dianepruente to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : Tarik Lewis was well spoken and brought up several good points. 19:57:42 From James Elder- Maui Jim : Good points Cedar. I ride 70 miles per week through this town and see NO efforts to make that experience any safer or better. 19:58:41 From George Flesh : Agree with Tarik Lucas on all points. We need a printed summary sent to all residents. We need a referendum on the main points. We need an economic analysis of whether the proposals serve “affordability.” Zoning needs to respond to what Newton residents want. 19:58:49 From dianepruente to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : Please define “affordable housing”. Some people think its refers to housing that is not expensive other think of it as a legal term for folks who qualify because of their low income and will live in subsidized housing. 19:59:52 From Barbara Bix : Not sure about the "context goal". I am concerned about the subjectiveness of "what we like in our neighborhoods". The other two goals seem to make sense. Zoning is a small piece of the puzzle. It only makes sense to use it to pursue these goals if it is backed up by tax policy. Zoning, alone, will not have a significant effect on serving a range of incomes. 20:00:31 From Madeline Mirabito : Agree with Tarik Lucas and George Flesh comments. 20:01:13 From Barbara Bix : Agree with Tarik's comments and hope the Planning Department will consider them seriously and address them. 20:03:39 From Madeline Mirabito : Agree with Stephen Burnham's comments. This does not need to be done now, during a pandemic. 20:04:06 From Madeline Mirabito : Agree with comments regarding a Referendum. 20:04:40 From Jennifer Caira : What do you hope that Zoning Redesign accomplishes? 20:05:10 From Amy G : Also agree with Stephen Burnham. 20:06:43 From Steven Katz : Agree with referendum and asking Newton residents what they want instead of making the decisions for us. And I agree with the statement as to why push this forward now during the pandemic. 20:08:07 From Jennifer Caira : How do you want to participate with Zoning Redesign in 2021? 20:08:25 From Manu Sarna : It would be better if Councilor Wright facilitates (sorry Jennifer) 20:08:45 From Vanessa Forsythe : I hope the zoning reform allows for more flexibility in both size and design which would increase the amount of development. Increasing development will increase housing stock and help fulfill the demand. This is the only way we will ever make Newton “affordable”. By creating zoning which scares away developers, we will have less conversions, less building, less inventory and decreased supply. Instead of 1.5M for new construction, buyers will be spending 1.5M for a 1500sqft reno. We need more flexiblity related to multi-familes/units. 20:09:13 From Lilly to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : will answers to the questions posed be listed on the website or when will the questions posed today be addressed? 20:09:54 From Jennifer Caira to Lilly(Privately) : we hope to have the questions compiled and on the website in the next week. we will answer those that we can right now and continue to add to the answers. 20:10:17 From George Flesh : The answer to the current question is that nobody asked the residents of Newton whether they want increased urbanization and density, increased affordability, or what “diversity” means. Instead, the planning department [and some on the city council] decided what our goals should be based on their own ideological preferences. 20:11:45 From Manu Sarna : I strongly disagree with Sean. This pursuit of equity is "social engineering". Newton is unique in its look/feel and should NOT pursue affordability or racial profiles. 20:12:19 From Manu Sarna : I point you to your own city's report (page 33) which states: "Ethnic and Racial Diversity. Like most cities across Massachusetts, Newton is becoming more diverse. As late as 1980, nearly 95 percent of the city’s population was non-Hispanic white. By 2010, the non-Hispanic white population was less than 80 percent. The fastest growing group has been Asians, which grew 34 more than twice the rate of multiracial and Hispanic populations and nearly eight times the rate of African-Americans. By 2010, Asian-Americans comprised more than one in eight residents in Newton: 12.9 percent." The city is trying to solve a racism problem that does not exist. The city is then using this as a pretext for increasing housing density. To reiterate: a policy I am vocally against. 20:12:42 From Barbara Bix : Karen, there isn't a lot of transportation near Austin Street. It does run at rush hour, but many people need to travel at other times. 20:14:13 From sandra davidow, Newton to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : it would be interesting to survey the residents at the woodland apartments to see if they use public transport... 20:14:19 From Manu Sarna : Agree with William Hicks on tweaking only. Nothing more 20:14:25 From George Flesh : Agree with William Hicks. 20:14:31 From Madeline Mirabito : Agree with William Hicks. 20:15:46 From Madeline Mirabito : It would be better to have large town wide meeting on this, instead of breaking into these small groups, so that everyone can get an idea of how many residents actually support this change now. 20:17:57 From Cedar Pruitt : I'm hunting for Ordinance 30 on the Newton site but I can't find it anywhere. 20:18:03 From Cedar Pruitt : Can someone post a link? 20:19:19 From Madeline Mirabito : It would be useful to know if the individuals who created the zoning change idea actually live in Newton. 20:19:31 From Jennifer Caira : Here is the link to the current zoning ordinance, Ordinance 30, which Councilor Markiewicz referred to: https://www.newtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument?id=29823 20:21:44 From Cedar Pruitt : Thank you! 20:22:39 From James Elder- Maui Jim : Just bullet points and facts Halina. No opinions, explanations. 20:22:42 From Madeline Mirabito : There should be a referendum. This is a democracy. 20:23:14 From Stephen Burnham to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : Newtonians are smart enough to figure this out. 20:23:19 From Vanessa Forsythe : This is a complicated situation- but i agree that we need a mailer. The zoning reform will greatly affect the older population who may not be on zoom or have computers. 20:24:31 From James Elder- Maui Jim : 80% of the people I speak with no NOTHING about these issues. Mailer is 100% needed. 20:24:57 From Amy G : Agree with Manu - simple mailer is very achievable. 20:25:27 From Cedar Pruitt : Agree that zoom is more accessible than Town Hall. 20:26:22 From Barbara Bix : Renters do pay property tax. Their rents enable landlords to pay property tax. 20:26:30 From sandra davidow, Newton to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : renters do pay property tax as part of their rent. (I do own my home) 20:26:45 From Vanessa Forsythe : not true 20:26:57 From sandra davidow, Newton to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : ps - zoom is not letting me chat to everyone 20:27:06 From Manu Sarna : I am a landlord for multiple units. I pay the property tax, not the renters. 20:27:53 From Vanessa Forsythe : Same. If my apartments aren’t full or tenants don’t pay- the taxes are still due. 20:28:05 From Cedar Pruitt : What can be done to make the 188-page Ordinance 30 understandable? I'd say that is a next step for our leaders and organizers. I couldn't find it and now I can't really read it. Is there someone who can synthesize it into 5 pages and explain the changes proposed so we can cut down on misinformation/ 20:28:11 From Cedar Pruitt : ? 20:29:09 From George Flesh : Mr. Sarna is correct. Why should people whose rental lease expires in 12 or 24 months participate in long-term decisions for the city? 20:29:10 From dianepruente to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : I live in a complex where the water is not paid form by the individual residents. Therefore I did not receive the mailer in the water bill. Our Homeowners Assn pays that bill. 20:30:18 From Manu Sarna : Thank you Mr Flesh. My comment was labelled "controversial". Controversial does not necessarily mean "wrong". 20:30:38 From Barbara Bix : Thank you everyone 20:33:41 From Sean Roche to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : Best presentation I've seen on zoning redesign. By a lot. 20:34:00 From Sean Roche to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : And, I've seen a few. 😉 20:34:11 From Jennifer Caira to Sean Roche(Privately) : Thank you! Much appreciated. It was a team effort. 20:34:45 From Sean Roche to Jennifer Caira(Privately) : Keep up the good work. 20:35:34 From Jennifer Caira to Sean Roche(Privately) : Thanks! And thanks for your participation tonight.