Newton Planning and Development

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Newton Planning and Development Events, community engagement opportunities, and more with the City of Newton, MA’s Department of Planning and Development!

Newton’s Department of Planning and Development is committed to community-based planning that guides the future of the City while promoting equity, healthful lifestyles, diverse housing options, a resilient economy, varied transportation options, and preservation of the built and natural environment.

Spidey D wants to let you know that there is an upcoming community engagement opportunity for feedback on the Washington...
10/22/2026

Spidey D wants to let you know that there is an upcoming community engagement opportunity for feedback on the Washington Street Pilot! Since this is a pilot, feedback is a critical component of the project — looking at what worked well and what needs some tweaking.

The City wants to hear all perspectives: neighbors, people who drive, walk, bike, roll, take transit, etc along the corridor, businesses, and more.

Join the City on Wednesday, October 28th at the Cooper Center (345 Walnut St) or on Zoom at 6 p.m.

Can’t make it?
The City will also host drop in office hour sessions on November 6, 12, and 18 (see more details on our website)

Project information, the zoom link, and more can be found on our website: newtonma.gov/washingtonstreet

Prefer to write in? Feel free to send us an email: [email protected]

10/16/2026

We're modernizing the MBTA Commuter Rail's Newtonville station to be fully accessible to all riders. This fall, we plan to begin early action work including site prep, utility relocation, and retaining wall installation. This will lay the foundation for the future fully-accessible station with two high-level side platforms, elevator and stair connections from the Washington St sidewalk, and elevator and stair connections between the station platforms.

Learn more about the upcoming work and renovated station at mbta.com/NewtonCR

09/21/2026

THE NEWTONVILLE STATION WILL STAY OPEN DURING MOST OF CONSTRUCTION!🚧 🚊

The MBTA is working on a project to improve the accessibility of the station. The original plan called for a 2.5 year shutdown of the station during construction but that is CHANGING!

The station will now be mostly open during construction except for 3 months in early summer 2027, and 2 months in spring 2029. We’ll let you know when that shutdown is happening.

And a big massive shoutout to the MBTA, elected officials, city staff, and most importantly YOU, the folks impacted by the project to make this happen.

Make sure to stay in the loop! You can sign up for project emails by visiting the MBTA’s website: mbta.com/projects/newton-commuter-rail-stations-accessibility-improvements. You can also send an email to: [email protected]

Have you checked out the new station in the Upper Falls just off the Greenway?
09/17/2026

Have you checked out the new station in the Upper Falls just off the Greenway?

09/02/2026

Hi Newton! A new school year is here and our community is coming back to life! However you get to school whether that's walking, biking, rolling, taking the bus, or driving, we all have a role to play to ensure a safe and stress free experience. As you get into your commuting routines please keep in mind…

⚫If there is a button at a crosswalk, push it to activate the lights and signal, then check and wait for cars to come to a stop before crossing.
🤳Put down your phones…everyone!
🛑Pay attention to and obey all posted signs and signals.
🚸If you’re walking or biking, cross where crossing guards are stationed and follow their directions. Use crosswalks whenever possible.
🚲🛴If you’re biking or riding a scooter, wear your helmet, ride predictably, follow the rules of the road, and pay attention to the people around you.
👣Slow down and give people walking plenty of space.
🚨Don't pass a school bus or school van with its red lights flashing.
👀Never assume a driver sees you or is going to stop.
🚦If you're driving, slowing down is one of the most important things you can do, especially around schools, at crosswalks, and near bus stops.
🚸Expect to see kids walking and biking, and give them lots of room.
🚗Students are still learning how to navigate streets and traffic, and they may make mistakes or act unexpectedly. Please be patient, stay alert, and give students extra time and space to cross safely.

Let’s look out for one another, follow the rules, and make safety part of our daily routine. Together, we can help every student arrive at school safely, get some healthy movement, and start the day ready to learn.

BACKYARD BLUEPRINTS: CALLING ALL DESIGNERS!Have an idea for a great detached ADU design? We want to see it!📣SUBMISSIONS ...
08/17/2026

BACKYARD BLUEPRINTS: CALLING ALL DESIGNERS!
Have an idea for a great detached ADU design? We want to see it!

📣SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN UNTIL OCTOBER 9!

Who can apply? Architects, builders, manufacturers, designers, students, and other design professionals as individuals or teams are all encouraged to apply. No experience requirements!

What do you need to submit?
• A brief design narrative
• Signed contract
• Floor plans
• Elevations
• Building sections
• Renderings (optional but encouraged)
• Simplified public-facing floor plans (optional but encouraged)

All submissions must include plans stamped by a Massachusetts Registered Professional Engineer or Registered Architect.

The top designs with the most votes by public voting will win cash prizes!

🥇 1st Place — $5,000
🥈 2nd Place — $4,000
🥉 3rd Place — $3,000

Here’s the exciting part: all designs that meet applicable codes and ordinances will be made available for homeowners to purchase for a fixed $1,000 fee paid to the design owner, helping turn great ideas into real ADUs in Newton .

Learn more: Visit newtonma.gov/adu for all eligibility requirements, design criteria, the application, contract, FAQs, and more.

Affordable Rental Opportunity!Newton Crossing Development ins a 292-unit apartment rental community located in West Newt...
06/25/2026

Affordable Rental Opportunity!

Newton Crossing Development ins a 292-unit apartment rental community located in West Newton. Conveniently located near restaurants, shops, the Walker Dog park, MBTA commuter rail and bus stops, and access to the Mass Pike (I-90). Access to parking and the fitness center are included with units in this property. The pet policy is subject to restrictions. There are five (5) studio, forty one (41) 1-bed, twenty (20) 2-bed, and seven (7) 3-bed affordable units available at 50% and 80% AMI (Area Median Income). In addition, there are 8 accessible units available.

You can apply to the lottery for this property until Tuesday, August 11th at 2:00 p.m. Click the link in our bio to visit the affordable housing opportunity webpage which has details on the application. There will also be a public information session held on Zoom on July 15th at 6:00 p.m.

06/24/2026

The City of Newton is excited to share that it is a grant recipient for the 2026 AARP Community Challenge. Grant money to do meaningful, productive work to advance the goals of the City, who wouldn’t be excited! This community grant seeks to assist municipalities, just like ours in Newton, to undertake projects that make communities more livable for people of all ages by supporting tangible, quick-action improvements that jump-start long-term change.

So what kind of project is Newton undertaking with this grant? The City is launching a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Competition🏠. ADUs, often called in-law suites, garden apartments, or carriage houses, are smaller independent homes located on the same property as a primary home. They are increasingly seen as a housing tool that can support aging in place, multigenerational living, caregiver housing, and more attainable rental options.

The competition will showcase creative designs, increase public awareness of ADUs, and help identify ways to make them easier and more affordable to build in Newton.

Stay tuned for more!

05/13/2026

Newton’s Planning & Development department is looking to better understand people’s experiences with Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in the City. Whether you build/design them, own one, are interested, tried to build/own one, or never heard of them before, the City wants to hear it all.

Click the link to take the survey: https://forms.gle/o1cSNgdPpFqsnafo7

What better way to celebrate Fair Housing Month than to educate and learn about it! Be sure to check out these informati...
04/15/2026

What better way to celebrate Fair Housing Month than to educate and learn about it! Be sure to check out these informative resources.

The Color of Law: Book by Richard Rothstein that challenges the common belief that segregation in U.S. cities happened by chance or individual bias. Instead, it reveals how decades of government policies at the local, state, and federal levels actively created and enforced racial segregation.

Roxbury (documentary): Produced by Suffolk University, this documentary explores the impacts of decades of discriminatory housing policies on the Roxbury neighborhood in Boston. Through personal stories, it highlights how residents have navigated these challenges while working toward a more equitable future. Watch the film by visiting suffolk.edu/roxburyfilm.

The Red Line: Racial Disparities in Lending: A podcast episode from Reveal in which reporters analyzed 31 million government mortgage records and determined that people of color were more likely than white applicants to be denied a conventional home loan in 61 metro areas, including Atlanta, Detroit and Washington.

Analysis of Impediments: Since Newton and the WestMetro HOME Consortium receive federal funds, they are required to actively further fair housing by identifying and addressing barriers to housing access. A key tool in this effort is the Analysis of Impediments, which helps communities pinpoint inequities and take steps toward more inclusive housing opportunities. Read the analysis on our website by clicking the link in our bio.

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Newton Centre, MA
02459

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