Zoning Code Rewrite Paused in Newton, Massachusetts

The mayor of Newton says the city's planning department is stretched too thin, with several ordinances and large development proposals in the works.

1 minute read

April 4, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Massachusetts

Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock

"Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller is pumping the brakes on her administration’s efforts to rewrite the city’s zoning rules," reports John Hilliard.

"In a letter to city councilors, Fuller said she has asked the Planning Department to wait until 2020 to deliver a final draft of the new citywide zoning ordinance — the first such overhaul in 32 years — for the City Council’s approval," according to Hilliard.

Mayor Fuller's decision followed public feedback, but the letter also credited "the city’s already 'sizeable workload' reviewing two large-scale development proposals and carrying out other planning efforts" in deciding to pause the code rewrite process.

Hilliard goes into greater detail about the "larger debate over development" in Newtown. Northland Investment Corp. has proposed a 14-building development at Needham and Oak streets that would add 800 residential units, 180,000 square feet of office, and 115,000 square feet of retail and community space. A separate proposal would add ten buildings, with 675 residential units, 611,000 square feet of office, 194 hotel rooms, and 611,000 square feet of retail at the Riverside MBTA station. "[Planners in Newton] are also working on “vision plans” for Riverside and Washington Street, a climate action plan, and an inclusionary zoning bylaw to promote more affordable housing."

Friday, March 22, 2019 in The Boston Globe

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Western U.S. indicating public lands that would be for sale under a Senate plan in yellow and green.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands

For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

June 19, 2025 - Outdoor Life

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1 - KQED

Tents inhabited by unhoused people lined up on sidewalk in Los Angeles, California in front of industrial building.

California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling

An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.

July 1 - Times of San Diego

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.