Newton panel confirms three new ZBA members
Newton's Zoning and Planning Committee approved three new Zoning Board of Appeals members and reappointed the Historical Commission chair. Chair Lyle Baker presided as the committee unanimously confirmed former City Councilor Chris Markowitz, architect Mr.
Other Committee · Meeting of August 17, 2026
Newton's Zoning and Planning Committee approved three new Zoning Board of Appeals members and reappointed the Historical Commission chair. Chair Lyle Baker presided as the committee unanimously confirmed former City Councilor Chris Markowitz, architect Mr. Ning and contractor Mr.
Capasso to the ZBA, and reappointed Mr. Cornelius to lead the Historical Commission. Markowitz called revenue, housing and safety improvements "positive things" when weighing variance requests.
The committee also reviewed dozens of commercially zoned residential parcels citywide, considering rezoning on Chestnut Street, Washington Street and in Oak Hill Park, where Councilor Gordon said residents were "extremely upset" about a recently built structure's scale. Members voted to hold proposed special-permit language on building "context" for further drafting, along with two unrelated ordinance-review items on development costs and facade ratios.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,671 words
Source: the Other Committee meeting of August 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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