The City Council Land Use Committee continues to review proposed amendments to the Northland project in Newton Upper Falls, first approved in 2019. Newton for Everyone is pleased with the direction this seems to be taking, but also urges your continued attention and testimony at the next public hearing on April 15.

From the opening remarks through discussion by Land Use Committee members and other interested councilors at the March 25 meeting, almost every speaker accepted the peer-reviewed market analysis as showing that "it would be very difficult in this market to build brand new office space", as stated by Council President Marc Laredo. The pandemic changed the market dramatically, and that market uncertainty makes building new office space financially unworkable for perhaps a decade or more. The Committee consensus seemed to be that it is appropriate to replace the office space in the Pettee Mill building with housing and reduce buildings along the Greenway. The proposed amendments will make the project less dense, generating less traffic and adding more green space.

But we cannot be assured that the amended project will prevail until the details are resolved, and your support continues to be critical.

In 2020, Newton voters decisively approved a citywide referendum supporting this project. However, there continues to be an organized opposition to the project. The amended proposal provides 822 badly needed homes (144 of which will be restricted as affordable), retains ground floor supportive retail and restaurant uses, adds open space to the seven parks and playgrounds, and retains underground parking for residents and the free shuttle to the T for area commuters.

It would be a great loss to the community if this transformative project were to be effectively denied by the City Council after all these years!

The public hearing continues on April 15, 7pm. We need your voice.