19:41:13 From Lucie Chansky to Cat Kemmett(Privately) : what will city do about increased traffic as density increases. it is terrible now 19:42:05 From Cat Kemmett : [1] What do you want to better understand about Zoning Redesign? 19:42:21 From Lucie Chansky to Cat Kemmett(Privately) : no single family zoning? 19:52:04 From Cat Kemmett : [2] Which of the Zoning Redesign goals feel most important to you? And why? (Remember, we’re planning for the next 50 years and beyond!) 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 19:52:59 From Lucie Chansky to Cat Kemmett(Privately) : C is my choice 19:52:59 From Kevin Dutt : Diversity Goal please; specifically people of color. 19:56:10 From hbarb : Context zoning is most important. Have development fit into existing neighborhoods and compatible in character. 19:56:57 From lee bardin : Newton new construction building code adopted the Energy "Stretch Code" which requires far more energy efficiency than all of the old buildings 19:59:29 From hbarb : Quality of life should be Newton's first priority, whereas climate change efforts should be a lower priority. For example, having a three-family building built next to my house is far more important to my quality of life versus trace concentrations of carbon dioxide in the air. 20:00:59 From Cat Kemmett : [3] What do you hope that Zoning Redesign accomplishes? 20:06:58 From hbarb : Allow new development to be consistent with neighborhood character. Allow in-law apartments (accessory uses) for existing large homes. Update some zones to allow higher density housing, but with neighborhood character in mind. 20:07:04 From lee bardin : Land acquisition costs, plus new construction per square foot costs, coupled with carry costs, real estate agent commissions and retail pricing - equals an average of $540/ sq ft. The only way a developer can buy an older property and develop it and sell it to a new buyer who must qualify for loan criteria for comparable properties, is for a developer must build more sq ft to reduce overall cost to a $540/ sq ft 20:09:57 From hbarb : Single-family zones should not be unilaterally eliminated. 20:11:07 From Cat Kemmett : [4] What concerns you about Zoning Redesign? 20:15:35 From Laurence Alberts to Cat Kemmett(Privately) : Interest rates will also impact housing prices as much as any zoning redesign effort, so echoing what Peter has said, let's please make decisions on as informed a fact base as possible. Whatever we do will be very hard to undo. 20:17:38 From Barbara Cooper : I think what this is really about is that increasing the amount of money obtained through the property tax to help defray the amount of pension money owed. It won’t work. Take into account increased costs due to schools, transportation, etc.. 20:17:54 From Patricia Riggin to Cat Kemmett(Privately) : We know lots of people in Newton who do not have master suites!! 20:18:20 From hbarb : I'm concerned that a zoning redesign would lead to significantly greater housing density, traffic congestion, higher taxes, loss in neighborhood character, and an overall lowering of the quality of life for Newton residents. 20:23:00 From Cat Kemmett : [5] How do you want to participate with Zoning Redesign in 2021? Here are some examples of how we can engage Newton community members: -large city-wide events with break-out groups -meetings by Ward or Village -meetings by individual topics -Office hours -short info sheets and videos by topic -Steward-based program -Surveys -facilitated debates -presentations by outside community groups who have experienced zoning re-write in their cities -Social Media (Instagram, Facebook) 20:24:03 From Susan’s iPhone to Cat Kemmett(Privately) : let the public vote on the final plan. 20:25:32 From Kevin Dutt : https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-06/documents/sg-and-economic-success-for-governments.pdf 20:26:00 From hbarb : I like the idea of facilitated debates. Some of the other forums can lack opportunities for discussion and having a diversity of opinions. 20:26:49 From Barbara Cooper : There has been a dramatic increase in affordable housing units from both Northland and Riverside. I am concerned about the impact on schools, transportation, emergency services, etc. 20:27:14 From Lucie Chansky to Cat Kemmett(Privately) : no surveys, do not know what Steward based is? all others are useful methods re participation 20:28:28 From Diomid Bashkinov : More density means more radiation, more traffic, less parking, more density in schools, lines in stores - I can't imagine this will help anybody 20:30:25 From Lucie Chansky to Cat Kemmett(Privately) : In past times Newton was very generous in providing housing for individuals with intellectual disabilities and other disabilities. In recent housing no apartments were low priced enough for this population 20:30:39 From Diomid Bashkinov : Great event Thank you! 20:30:45 From Paul Centolella to Cat Kemmett(Privately) : Thanks for putting together this meeting. 20:30:59 From Councilor Humphrey : Thanks, everyone, for attending 20:40:00 From Bryan Barash to Cat Kemmett(Privately) : Great job, thank you!