What should our next city council focus on?

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One response per voter please! Feel free to share with other Newton residents.

What are your top priorities for the next city council? Rank 1 as highest, 5 as lowest. (Scroll over answer to see options)

Affordable housing

Budget

Climate

Roads/transportation

Schools

Most Important

2nd most important

3rd most important

4th most important

5th most important

Clear selection

If your top priority is not listed above, list it here:

Scroll onto the pie chart pieces to see full wording of responses

How do you feel about development? (Due to a slight word change on this survey part way through, the response "I'd like to see more dense development throughout the city, including residential areas" was split into two colors - red and pink- on this pie chart. Added together it totals 6.6%) *

I'd like to see more transit-oriented development similar to the Riverside and Washington St. plans.

I'd like to see more dense development throughout the city, including in residential areas

I'd like to see some transit-oriented development but less than currently proposed.

I'd like to keep density in Newton similar to what it is now.

Not sure.

My answer not listed here. See next question for my thoughts*

*Other thoughts on development (optional)

With development projects, the city can prioritize housing, to help with the regional housing crisis and try to increase affordability, or prioritize commercial development, which is taxed at twice the rate of residential, to increase the city's tax base. What is the right mix?

Prioritize mostly residential, with some commercial

Prioritize mostly commercial, with some residential

Split between about half commercial and half residential

I don't want more large development projects

Not sure

My answer not listed here. See next question for my thoughts*

Clear selection

*I would like to prioritize development this way (optional)

NewCAL Scope: Newton has proposed a new 38,000 square foot senior center and multi-generational facility (NewCAL), to include a full-size gym, fitness class rooms, activity rooms, dining room, classrooms, computer room, billiard/ping pong rooms, library, and more (indoor pool might be added if at Albemarle). Building costs are estimated at $16M plus plus pool costs if that is included and acquisition costs if any (it may go on existing city land). What are your thoughts on the scope of the proposed plan? (Due to a slight word change on this survey part way through, the response "support NewCAL on a smaller scale to reduce costs" was split into two colors - red and pink- on this pie chart. Added together it totals 21.4%)

I support the current NewCAL plan to include the above activity spaces

I support NewCAL on a smaller scale to reduce costs (i.e. eliminate gym, multi-generational elements, etc.))

I support renovating the current senior center and adding senior services in other existing buildings

I think we should keep the senior center "as is."

Not sure

My answer not listed here. See below for my thoughts*

Clear selection

NewCAL site: In order to avoid purchasing land and to allow seniors and mullti-generational users access to outdoor activities, the city has proposed taking 2.5 acres of existing parkland to site the center and parking and possibly upgrade Gath pool. They are now considering other options. (Check any option you want to be considered)

Site NewCAL on existing parkland

Acquire land to build NewCAL and add the cost to the budget

Build NewCAL on the Newton Centre triangle

Build NewCAL (and parking garage) on a city parking lot

Renovate existing buildings, and do NOT build a new senior/multi-generational center

Keep the senior center "as is"

Not sure

My answer not listed here. See below for my thoughts*

*Other suggestions for NewCAL (optional)

In order to strengthen city finances, Newton should (check any you support):

Pay down the $1.4B in unfunded pension liabilities (OPEB) sooner

Pass a tax override

Pass a debt exclusion to fund capital projects

Limit increases in city employee compensation and benefits

Cut some city programs and services

Increase the Community Preservation tax (CPA) from its current 1% to 3% of annual property taxes

Increase commercial development and tax base

Increase ultra-high-end housing development and tax base

My answer is not listed here. See next question for my thoughts*

*Other suggestions for strengthening city finances (optional)

Union contracts: Many city employees are working without contracts. The City should:

Increase pay and benefits for City workers and take the money from elsewhere in the budget

Increase pay and benefits and get the money from a tax override

Limit increases in pay and benefits for City workers to stay within the current budget

My answer is not listed here. See next question for my thoughts*

Clear selection

*Other ideas for city contract negotiations (optional)

The Zoning Re-design plan proposes to re-zone every property in Newton in order to "modernize" the zoning code, bring more properties into compliance, decrease the number of tear-downs and add more new residential units.

I support the Zoning Re-design plan and goals

They should make specific updates to solve specific problems rather than re-zone every property

They should mostly leave zoning "as is"

My answer is not included here. See next question for my thoughts*

Clear selection

*Other thoughts on Zoning Re-design (optional)

In addition to lobbying for more MBTA service (which is unlikely in the near term), what should we do NOW to reduce traffic in Newton? (check as many as you support):

Experiment with shared-ride shuttles to and from public transit stops and village centers

Widen roads for more cars

Limit new development to limit traffic

Add protected bike lanes, even if it reduces or narrows lanes for cars

Add protected bike lanes only on streets where it won't reduce or narrow car lanes

Build more transit-oriented and village density to encourage "car-lite" living

Keep our roads "as is"

My answer is not included here. See next question for my thoughts*

*Other ideas for reducing traffic (optional)

Marijuana zoning: The City Council approved zoning to allow up to 8 marijuana stores of up to 5,000 square feet each in retail-zoned areas, mostly outside of village centers. They cannot be within 500 feet of a K-12 school or within 1/2 a mile of each other. They promised to revisit this zoning. The City should (check any you support):

Reduce the maximum store size below 5,000 square feet

Add zoning in manufacturing zones to allow less visible and more affordable stores

Set up one zone with several "micro-stores" to support low-income entrepreneurs

Prioritize low-income Economic Empowerment entrepreneurs over large, Wall-Street-backed companies

Keep marijuana retail zoning "as is."

My answer is not included here. See next question for my thoughts*

*Other ideas for improving marijuana zoning or policy (optional):

Newton is debating a Climate Action Plan that will promote environmental sustainability and make Newton carbon neutral by 2050

I support this agenda so long as it doesn't increase my taxes and/or construction costs

I support this agenda so long as increased costs and/or taxes are modest

I support this agenda enough to pay significantly more in taxes and/or costs

I support this agenda so long as others pay any increased taxes or costs because I can't afford it.

We should mostly leave environmental agenda to the federal government and international bodies

My answer is not included here. See next question for my thoughts*

Clear selection

*Other thoughts on Climate Action Plan (optional)

The Mayor has proposed acquiring Webster Woods in Chestnut Hill from Boston College by eminent domain to create a 17-acre open space nature preserve/park. The cost is projected to be $17M and would be paid for through the Community Preservation Act fund (CPA).

I support this

I don't support this

Not sure

Clear selection

Should the city council be reduced in size?

Yes, if we keep some local ward representation

Yes, if we make all councilors elected at-large

My answer is not included here. See next question for my thoughts*

No, don't reduce size

Clear selection

*Other thoughts on city council size or structure

Any other suggestions for the new City Council (optional)?

Demographics of survey respondents:

These questions are optional, but will help us analyze the survey

Age:

18-30

30-40

40-50

50-60

60-70

71+

Clear selection

Did you vote in the last election for city council?

Yes

Can't remember

Clear selection

Do you have children in the Newton Public Schools?

Yes

Will in future years

Previously had children in NPS

Clear selection

Do you own your home or rent?

Own home

Rent

Clear selection

I live in...

Auburndale

Chestnut Hill

Newton Centre

Newton Corner

Newton Highlands

Newton Lower Falls

Newton Upper Falls

Newtonville

Nonantum

Oak Hill

Thompsonville

Waban

West Newton

Clear selection

Where did you hear about this survey?

Village 14

West Newton google group

Waban google group

Newtonville google group

Facebook - Newton Parents group

Friend

Next Door Newton

Facebook - Newton Civic Action Forum

Other:

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Submit

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