Category — All villages

We’re gearing up to grow our capacity.  Two quick points on that front:

1. We are now officially a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit.  Donations are tax-deductible.
2. We have released our first newsletter. Please share it with your friends.

We have big stuff planned, starting in the fall, and we want to be ready. Scavenger hunts, more TAB guest columns, work on a new Village Day, a village vitality workshop, and more. Now’s the time to suit up, if you’ve been sitting on the sidelines. Join us.

Last week, the TAB ran a pretty detailed story on the outreach event for the Mayor’s Mixed Use Task Force, held on July 29th.  It’s posted here.  Thanks to their team for giving the MUTF the attention it deserves.

One of the notes from the meeting gave me pause, though:

Residents present said it was important for building designs to be similar in each village so the city would look like one entity, rather than creating 13 separate “islands” independent from one another.

All the villages should look the same?   [Read more →]

From Alderman John Rice:

NewtonStreets: We will be closing specific streets on selected Sunday afternoons this summer and fall, to encourage residents to explore the City and enjoy safe walking, running and biking. The first program will be on August 8, 1 – 4 PM. Lake Ave. adjacent to Crystal Lake will be closed to cars and open to bicyclists, pedestrians & in-line skaters from Rogers to Beacon St. Music, Whole Foods snacks, and family-friendly activities will be located along the street. NewtonStreets will continue in September with activities along Albemarle Rd and Brandeis Rd. Sponsored by Bike Newton, the Newton Bicycle/Pedestrian Task Force and the City of Newton Parks & Recreation Dept. For more info or to volunteer: call  Ald. John Rice 617-201-7088.

UPDATE. Please note the earlier start time.

Mayor Setti Warren has created a task force, a group of more than 20 volunteers who are meeting over the summer to determine how the city should react to large real estate developments, especially three large parcels: Riverside Station, Chestnut Hill Square, and Needham/Oak Street.

The Mayor’s Mixed-Use Development Task Force is examining relationships between economic development, neighborhood and environmental impacts, and affects on housing, schools, and transportation. “Mixed-use” is a planning term that refers to the development of “housing, civic uses, and commercial uses, including retail, restaurants, and offices” in close proximity to take advantage of existing infrastructure and transportation networks. [Read more →]

Join Historic Newton volunteers for walking tours of two of the city’s historic villages, both of which sprang to life around the mill industry on the Charles River.

Lower Falls circa 1905, from the collection of Historic Newton. Click for more historic images.

[Read more →]

A petition by Pie Bakery and Cafe comes before the Board of Aldermen’s Land Use Committee on Tuesday night.

As you may recall from our earlier post (and op-ed in the Newton Tab), Pie’s owner Ellen Kaplansky must lease basement space in order to qualify for six of the 24 seats patrons use. This is because antiquated parking requirements make it especially hard for restaurants to open in village centers.

Kaplansky is requesting permission to add 24 seats in her existing restaurant space at 796 Beacon Street in Newton Centre. In the coming months, Panera Bread and the Deluxe Station Diner will be opening their Newton Centre locations, both with more than 50 seats.

If you would like to show support for a local restaurateur, please come to the Land Use Committee meeting at 7:45pm Tuesday, July 13, in the Aldermanic Chamber at City Hall. (Thanks to Philippe Wells of Prana Cafe for the reminder.)

Download the details (PDF) from the city’s planning department: 151-10_796 Beacon Street