Environmentally-Sustainable Mixed-Use Growth

Although many parts of Newton have been developed, in some areas of our city there remain opportunities for new growth or redevelopment that is environmentally sustainable and sensitive to the needs of our community and its neighborhoods. Modest new growth can build our city's tax base, provide needed services, jobs, and amenities for our residents, and create or improve on places of which we can be proud.

Summary of Proposed Solution

Newton will pursue a mixed-use growth strategy centered on maintaining the quality of life in our villages and neighborhoods.

Discussion and Implementation Plan

Newton's residents take pride in our mixed-use villages that add to the vitality of our community. It's where people can live, shop, work, and mix and mingle. Appropriate modest new growth should be possible in some of our villages that that will also serve to further enhance our neighborhoods and our economy. At the center of the consideration of new development plans will be the question, “Would the proposed development make this neighborhood a better place to live?” Priority will be given to development that does not increase vehicular traffic, but instead provides services to people who are already living in nearby neighborhoods. Development will be encouraged that allows residents to get services locally that they might otherwise have to drive considerable distances to find.

New development should maintain and reflect the character of the type of city Newton residents currently enjoy. Well-planned development needs to balance our housing and commercial needs while enhancing our village centers and interrelating with the community in a complementary way. New mixed-use development can work to produce improvements in our transportation system and to offer improved transit, pedestrian, and bicycle access. Development approaches that respect our existing neighborhoods and environmental resources will be supported.

The Mayor will propose a mixed-use zoning plan to the Board of Aldermen by January 1, 2011.