Newton MA Historical Zoning Documents
Prepared by Richard Rasala r.rasala@gmail.com

Launched December 4 2020

Companion Site: Newton MA Zoning Documents
Companion Site: Newton Pattern Book 2018

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In this section, documents are in chronological order
ZAP meeting excerpts are provided if there is discussion relevant to zoning reform or redesign

2007-11-19 and 2011-11-07 Newton Comprehensive Plan [229 pages]

2010-05 FAR Working Group Final Report [20 pages]

Quote: "Newton's zoning ordinance is difficult to understand and administer and sometimes does not result in the best outcomes for the community"
2011-12-30 Zoning Reform Final Report [13 pages] {cover letter dated 2012-01-13}

2013-03-25 Newton Zoning Assessment Memo [30 pages]

Zoning Reform Phase 1 is almost complete
Changes focused on the clarification of existing zoning
Proposal is to replace existing zoning with Phase 1 once revision is complete
2015-04-13 Zoning Reform Phase 1 Draft Ordinance Slides [8 pages]
2015-04-13 Replace Existing Zoning With Phase 1 Zoning [3 pages]

On the same day, Zoning Reform Phase 2 is initiated
Key features proposed: context based zoning and the development of a pattern book for Newton buildings
RFP to select a consultant to guide Phase 2 and prepare important documents including the pattern book
2015-04-13 How Will Zoning Reform Phase 2 Take Place [3 pages]
2015-04-13 Zoning Reform Phase 2 RFP Slides [7 pages]
2015-04-13 Zoning Reform Phase 2 RFP Narrative for Consultant [2 pages]
2015-04-13 ZAP Report Cover [10 pages] {see 6-bottom to 9-top}

Somerville MA has implemented context based zoning
These documents show the Somerville presentation to city councilors
2015-06-08 Somerville Memo [9 pages]
2015-06-08 Somerville Presentation [123 pages]

Follow up after the Somerville presentation
2015-06-16 ZAP Report Cover [5 pages] {see 1 to 4-top}
2015-06-16 Zoning Reform Phase 2 Slides [11 pages]

Further follow up - discussion of a master plan approach versus a pattern book approach
2015-07-20 ZAP Report Cover [6 pages] {see 2-bottom through 4}

Analysis of proposed building/lot dimensional standards by examination of
what percentage of homes would be in conformity with respect to a particular standard
2016-02-25 Build Out Analysis and Conformity Tables [6 pages]

Discussion of competition that led to choice of Sasaki as consultant for Zoning Reform Phase 2
2016-04-11 ZAP Report [7 pages] {see 2 through 5-top}

2016-08-16 ZAP Pattern Book Purpose and Launch [11 pages]
   2016-08-16 Extracts
Review of history so far: context based zoning, building types, and the use of a pattern book
2016-08-16 ZAP Pattern Book Purpose and Launch Cover [3 pages]
Detailed statement of Zoning Reform Phase 2 goals
2016-08-16_Zoning Reform Phase 2 Goals [2 pages]
Documents to be produced: Newton Pattern Book and draft Newton Zoning Ordinance
2016-08-16 Sasaki Memo on Public Engagement and Documents to be Produced [5 pages]
The proposed completion was October 2017. The actual completion was October 2018.
2016-08-16 Zoning Reform Phase 2 Calendar [1 page]

Discussion of Pattern Book Purpose and Launch documents and plans
2016-08-22 ZAP Report Cover [8 pages] {see 3-bottom through 8}

Zoning Reform Phase 2 becomes Zoning Redesign
2016-10-05 Zoning Redesign Kickoff Slides [17 pages]

2017-01-03 Sasaki Pattern Book Open House Summary [9 pages]

2017-03-13 Draft Pattern Book and Context Based Zoning [29 pages]

2017-05-11 Pattern Book Presentation [74 pages]

Zoning Redesign Visions before October 2018

2017-09-27 ZR Presentation Sustainable [36 pages]
2017-09-27 ZR Summary Report Sustainable 4[ pages]

2017-10-19 ZR Presentation Economic [41 pages]
2017-10-19 ZR Summary Report Economic [6 pages]

2017-11-29 ZR Presentation Homeowners [45 pages]
2017-11-29 ZR Summary Report Homeowners [7 pages]

2017-12-14 ZR Presentation Affordability [52 pages]
2017-12-14 ZR Summary Report Affordability [6 pages]

2018-01-18 ZR Presentation Right Size [1 pages]
2018-01-18 ZR Summary Report Right Size [5 pages]

2018-02-15 ZR Presentation Arts and Artisans [67 pages]
2018-02-15 ZR Summary Report Arts and Artisans [4 pages]

2018-03-15 ZR Presentation Shape Size Form [58 pages]
2018-03-15 ZR Summary Report Shape Size_Form [5 pages]

2018-04-12 ZR Presentation How Stuff Gets Built [57 pages]
2018-04-12 ZR Summary Report How Stuff Gets Built [5 pages]


2018-05-10 ZR Presentation DRAFT Zoning Map for Newton [93 pages]



The Newton Pattern Book 2018 [289 pages]

2018-10-19 Newton Draft Zoning Redesign Ordinance [232 pages]

2018-10-19 Newton Draft Zoning Redesign Map {before R4 was added} [1 page]

2018 Newton Draft Interactive Zoning Comparison Map site {before R4 was added}

2018-10-19 Memo on Zoning Redesign [8 pages]

2018-10-22 Excerpt from ZAP Report concerning Zoning Redesign [8 pages]

2018-10-22 Newton Zoning Redesign Draft #1 - Overview Slides [50 pages]



Work on Zoning Redesign was suspended in March 2019 and was resumed in January 2020.
The main reason for the suspension was to focus on the specific vision plans for Needham St, Riverside, and Washington St.
The historical content in this section consists of a few individual documents, Zoning Redesign presentations in wards, and general vision documents.

2019-07-08 Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance [13 pages]

2019-11-22 Garages Versions [6 pages]

Sustainable Design
2019-12-02 ZAP Report Cover [7 pages] {see 3-4 on garages and 5-7 on sustainable}
2019-12-02 Sustainable Design Standards Slides [16 pages]

Zoning Redesign presentation slides for each ward in chronological order

2018-11-29 ZR Ward 5 Presentation [72 pages]
2018-12-12 ZR Ward 7 Presentation [72 pages]
2019-01-10 ZR Ward 6 Presentation [73 pages]
2019-01-24 ZR Ward 3 Presentation [77 pages]
2019-02-07 ZR Ward 1 Presentation [64 pages]
2019-02-13 ZR Ward 8 Presentation [64 pages]
2019-02-28 ZR Ward 2 Presentation [55 pages]
2019-03-07 ZR Ward 4 Presentation [55 pages]

Zoning Redesign Visions after October 2018

Residence Districts
2018-11-26 ZR Residence Districts Memo [8 pages]
2018-11-26 ZR Residence Districts Presentation [62 pages]
2018-11-26 ZR Residence Districts Meeting Summary [4 pages]

Village Districts
2019-01-14 ZR Village Districts Memo [8 pages]
2019-01-14 ZR Village Districts Presentation [53 pages]
2019-01-14 ZR Village Districts Meeting Summary [4 pages]

Single Purpose Districts
2019-01-28 ZR Single Purpose Districts Memo [5 pages]
2019-01-28 ZR Single Purpose Districts Presentation [16 pages]
2019-01-28 ZR Single Purpose Districts Meeting Summary [3 pages]

Build Out Analysis
2019-02-25 ZR Build Out Analysis Memo [19 pages]
2019-02-25 ZR Build Out Analysis Presentation [92 pages]
2019-02-25 ZR Build Out Analysis Deep Dive Tables [6 pages]

Development Review Process
2019-03-08 ZR Development Review Process Memo [7 pages]
2019-03-08 ZR Development Review Process Presentation [33 pages]
2019-03-08 ZR Development Review Process Meeting Summary [7 pages]