Zoning panel OKs $1.9 million housing trust grant
The Newton Zoning and Planning Committee voted 5-0, with two abstentions, to recommend a $1.9 million Community Preservation Act grant to the Affordable Housing Trust.
Other Committee · Meeting of September 28, 2026
NEWTON — The Newton Zoning and Planning Committee voted 5-0, with two abstentions, to recommend a $1.9 million Community Preservation Act grant to the Affordable Housing Trust. The money, split between $500,939.35 in fiscal 2024 housing reserves and $1,394,060.65 in unrestricted reserves, is tied to a 72-unit affordable project at 1314 Washington Street by developer Beacon Communities. Chair Lyle Baker and Councillor Oliver abstained, citing unresolved parking and design questions; Councillor Wright called the project "a black box." Councillor Roach argued the funding vote should not be used to impose zoning conditions beyond the Village Center Overlay District's rules.
The project still needs roughly $1.1 million more than currently committed, with a state funding deadline looming in early December. The committee later held a separate discussion of the city's demolition-delay ordinance without taking a vote.
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Source: the Other Committee meeting of September 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.
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