Zoning regulations govern what may be built and where, guiding the pattern of development, cost of housing, and availability of services in the City into the future.

Newton’s Zoning Ordinance was last comprehensively revised in 1987 and much has changed in the Greater Boston Metro area since then. There is general agreement that Newton’s Zoning Ordinance is difficult to understand and administer and does not result in the best outcomes for the community. In response, the Zoning Reform Group was created by the City to study and recommend a plan to reform Newton’s Zoning Ordinance in a way that will best serve Newton. Zoning reform intends to make the ordinance easy to understand, administer, and enforce. Revised zoning will facilitate the development that we want to bring vitality to village centers and commercial areas, while taking development pressure off our neighborhoods.

The Zoning Reform Group will present its recommendations on November 3, at 7:00pm in the Newton Senior Center (345 Walnut Street). Come learn more about zoning in Newton and how you can play a part in achieving zoning reform. For more information, visit http://newtonma.gov/Planning/zoning-reform-group.htm or contact Alderman Deb Crossley at dcrossley@newtonma.gov