Newton Land Use Committee Approves Sunoco Station Overhaul 8-0, Holds Redwood Road Home

NEWTON — January 6, 2026 — Newton Land Use Committee greenlights Sunoco station overhaul, stalls Redwood Road rebuild. The committee voted 8-0 Tuesday to approve amended special permits for the Sunoco station at 14 Elliott Street, allowing a canopy expansion and sign package that reduces total signage from 27 to 24 and shrinks the freestanding sign from 72.6 square feet to 54 square feet, while a condition insisted on by Councillor Marc Roach requires the west-facing canopy facade nearest residential properties to remain non-illuminated. Engineer Mark Smith of CMG presented on behalf of longtime owner Ed Nogoshian, and planning staff Sandra Berman confirmed the Urban Design Commission had already approved the design. The committee then declined to vote on petition 16-26 at 89 Redwood Road, where attorney Michael Ross argued high groundwater at 4.05 feet below grade — shallower than five neighboring properties — forces the basement above grade, triggering a floor area ratio of 0.50 against a district maximum of 0.35 and a three-story classification; Councillors Roach, Alison Leary, and Julia Malachy expressed skepticism about the FAR increase and asked the applicants to return with a tree plan, stormwater details, and a revised approach to a proposed 19-foot curb cut and large impervious driveway area.