Curiously, this has never been debated in a ZAP meeting or explained in a Planning Dept. memo. However, in Utile’s presentation on May 25, they provide a list without explanation.
- Tier A (Large): Newtonville, Newton Centre, Newton Corner, and West Newton
- Tier B (Medium): Nonantum, Newton Highlands, Auburndale, Waban, Thompsonville
- Tier C (Small): Four Corners, Newton Upper Falls, and Newton Lower Falls
Since Utile and the Planning Dept. have not provided the metrics they are using to arrive at these categories, it’s quite obvious no consensus on this question exists.
Tim Love from Utile acknowledged at a recent committee meeting,“the goal of tonight’s meeting is not to cement it forever but to say this is in the right direction and we will come back with more data and more examples, just wanted to say that earlier on here.”
And many other councilors echoed sentiments that more data was needed and vital questions were still unanswered.
A follow up article was released by the Patch on August 21st, rectifying the statement that a consensus had been reached. Read below.
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