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1-29-2022 4:06pm
How to Participate in Town Government - Week of January 30, 2022 (Updated)
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Image by John Phelan from Wikimedia Commons
Updated 01/31/2022. Additional issues for Planning Board's discussion, beyond the multi-family housing district issue, have been added.
Below are ways to participate in upcoming meetings of town government. Of particular interest this week:
- Planning Board holds a Public Hearing on proposed language for a zoning amendment to establish a new multi-family housing district, as of right. The amendment is an attempt to comply with state law in establishing a multi-family housing district by-right. The amendment also includes proposals for the character and locations of the new district.
- Additional zoning amendments to be discussed by Planning Board include changes regarding solar installations, rezoning of the Obed Baker House and Westwood Plaza, added discretion given to Building Commissioner, and zoning for redevelopment of the Shell gas station on Providence Highway.
Westwood Housing Authority/Westwood Affordable Housing Associations Meeting via Zoom, Monday, January 31, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. WHA/WAHA will vote on a new member appointment and discuss documenting WAHA history, WAHA linkage fees, and updates on renovation projects among other items.
To join, click here. Or visit Zoom, click “Join a Meeting” and enter Meeting ID 816 7278 5257. Alternatively, join by telephone by calling, toll-free: 888-475-4499 or 833-548-0276 or 833-548-0282 or 877-853-5257.
Planning Board Meeting and Public Hearings via Zoom, Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding its proposed zoning amendment warrant article submitted for the Annual Town Meeting. Details are available here and Westwood Minute's summary of issues is available here.
The amendment would add a new section to the zoning bylaws, titled, “Section 9.9 Mixed-Use & Multi-Family Residential Overlay District” to ensure compliance with state law requiring a multi-family housing by-right district. Other stated goals are promoting a “village-style mix of retail, restaurants, offices, civic uses and multi-family in select commercial areas.”
The board will also review DHCD’s draft compliance guidelines for multi-family districts under Section 3A of the Zoning Act, and will review the public comment submission process.
Additional zoning amendments are changes regarding solar installations, rezoning of the Obed Baker House and Westwood Plaza, added discretion given to the Building Commissioner for nonconforming structures, and zoning for redevelopment of the Shell gas station on Providence Highway.
Additionally, the Planning Board will continue a public hearing on an EIDR application for Earth Material Movement in which a patio with increased grades is proposed in the backyard of 20 Wildwood Drive.
To join, click here. Or visit Zoom, click “Join a Meeting” and enter Meeting ID 850 7322 8148 and passcode 726927. Alternatively, join by telephone by calling, toll-free: 877-853-5257 or 888-475-4499.
This meeting will also be recorded and livestreamed by Westwood Media Center here.
Early Childhood Council meeting via Google Meet, Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. On the agenda are Westwood grants and accounts (e.g., museum passes, council expenses, parent/child programs, tuition assistance), Wentworth Hall and overview of winter program, strengthening partnerships, volunteer opportunities and fundraising.
Join via Google Meet at meet.google.com/fwn-yazx-pum.
West Suburban Veterans’ District Meeting in-person, Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. This meeting will be held at the Weston Town Hall – Conference Room at 11 Town House Road in Weston. Agenda items were not yet available at the time of this posting.
