Newton's $63 million affordable housing project at 1314 Washington St. advanced on one front and stalled on another in meetings Sept. 24 and Sept. 28.

The Zoning and Planning Committee voted 5-0 on Monday, Sept. 28, to send $1.9 million in Community Preservation Act funds to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust. On Thursday, Sept. 24, the Newton Historic Commission gave developer Beacon Communities 45 days to redesign the proposed 72-unit building in West Newton after public speakers criticized its appearance.

Both actions carry a December deadline. Beacon Communities needs the city's support to secure a $14.3 million state grant, as first reported by Fig City News.

Historic Commission requires redesign

At the Sept. 24 hearing, Historic Commission Chair Doug Cornelius said the project had drawn more emails than any other he had seen. Ten of 15 public speakers opposed the current design.

Beacon Communities attorney Stephen Buchbinder acknowledged the commission seemed lukewarm on the proposal from architect Utile. He asked for 45 days to revise the design to be "more integral to the existing building." Concerns included windows described as "small" and "monolithic," a large blank wall along the alleyway and no view from Davis Street in the presentation.

The commission agreed Beacon Communities could return at its October meeting with a revised proposal. A separate question looms: on Nov. 15, the commission will review a request to designate the 1915 granite-and-limestone former West Newton Savings Bank as a Landmark Preservation Site. Historic Commission member Harvey Schorr, Councilor Block and Councilor Malakie nominated the building for that status.

Alternate commission member Travis Salters said that if the commission approved the demolition delay waiver before official landmark status was achieved, it would be "grandfathered in," meaning landmark status would not affect demolition.

ZAP sends $1.9M to full council

At the Sept. 28 meeting, the committee split along familiar lines. Councilors Albright, Dahmubed, Kalis, Gordon and Getz voted yes. Councilors Wright, Oliver and Baker abstained.

The $1.9 million represents 35% of the Community Preservation Program's fiscal 2026 funds. The Community Preservation Committee had recommended the transfer unanimously, 6-0, at its July 14 meeting. If the full City Council approves, the money would go to the housing trust, which plans to grant it to Beacon Communities for the 1314 Washington St. project.

That grant would add to the $1,063,942 the trust awarded the project in August. NAHT Chair Ann Houston described the $1.9 million as a soft commitment contingent on council approval and encouraged Beacon Communities to reapply next year. Councilor Farrell said total trust funding for the project could reach $4 million.

Not everyone was ready to vote.

Councilor Wright said she supports the project but argued that, unlike past trust allocations, this money is effectively earmarked for a single development. Concerns about parking, architecture and a missing loading area should be addressed first, she said.

Councilor Roche countered that "a funding mechanism should not be used to impose zoning requirements on a project that already meets current zoning."

The project would replace the former Santander Bank building with a five-story, mixed-use development containing 72 units priced at 30%, 60% and 80% of area median income, with 25 parking spaces. Beacon Communities agreed to purchase the site from Mark Development in 2025. A previous 2022 Mark Development plan called for 50 units and 69 parking spaces.

The $1.9 million transfer now goes to the Finance Committee and then the full City Council. If approved, the trust could vote on the grant at its Nov. 17 meeting. Houston noted that amendments to Beacon Communities' state grant application may be submitted through January.