Targeted Areas for Commercial Development

Because of historical factors that influenced the development of Newton’s villages, businesses are often in close proximity to residential uses. This pattern of development can benefit residents by providing them with ready access to goods and services and employment, but can also have negative impacts on residential quality of life as noise, traffic, and other impacts of commercial uses can impinge upon residential quality of life. Because Newton does not have a large central commercial district, the City is also heavily reliant on residential property taxes.

Summary of Proposed Solution

New commercial growth, with a preference for mixed use development, will be targeted to appropriate non-residential areas of the city.

Discussion and Implementation Plan

Newton's commercial areas consist of small neighborhood villages, larger local and major centers of business activity, and regional business areas. In order to preserve the residential nature of our neighborhoods, new commercial growth should be guided to existing areas of business activity. In our larger village centers and regional transportation corridors, such as the Mass Pike, Route 9, and Needham Street corridors, new or reconfigured development can be supported that will complement and enhance existing commercial nodes. In many areas, mixed use development will be more appropriate for maintaining a balance among our city's needs for housing, jobs, and commerce. However, in areas where commercial growth alone is appropriate, it should be encouraged to serve as an economic engine to provide jobs, services, and new tax revenue.

The Needham Street corridor represents an area in Newton that may benefit from targeted commercial or mixed use development. By implementing zoning and design principles that lead to modest scale growth, development can take place of appropriate scale and integration with adjacent parcels and surrounding neighborhoods. Development in the Needham Street corridor in conjunction with the extension of light rail transit to the corridor can reflect true "smart growth" principles and result in transit oriented and pedestrian accessible homes and businesses. Density bonuses should be awarded to developers who contribute to the city's open space and transit resources.

Another important opportunity for commercial growth that will be pursued is for air rights development over the Mass Pike., which if appropriately designed and constructed could offer amenities to existing neighborhoods, could reconnect villages with pedestrian access, and could result in significant new property tax growth.

The Mayor will work with the Economic Development Commission and the Planning Department to identify areas of the City appropriate for commercial development or redevelopment and will present the findings of this research to the Board of Aldermen by July 1, 2011.

The Mayor will also work with the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and appropriate state officials to explore the process by which Newton can authorize uses for the air rights over the Pike. This process should be initiated by March 1, 2010.