Politics & Government

LETTER: League of Women Voters Applauds Zoning Rule Withdrawal

The following is a letter to the editor from the Waltham League of Women Voters.

To the Editor:

The League of Women Voters of Waltham congratulates the Waltham City Council on its decision to withdraw the proposed changes in the zoning bylaws. It is not so much the actual changes as the process by which the Council was going about them that concerned us. We urge the Council to follow through on its stated intent to hire a consultant for a complete review. We also urge the City Council to set a solid date by which it will review and complete the proposed revisions. Of course, in the process, it will be asking for input from the public, both citizens and businesses.

However, there is another issue that needs addressing along this same line, and it has been referred to obliquely in public discussion: despite paying for at least four Master Plans to guide the City over the years, NONE has been approved by the City Council and the Mayor. And, as the City Council is well aware, the most recent attempt, while strong and useful in some areas, is essentially useless in others, particularly transportation. What guidelines will a consultant hired to revise zoning bylaws use to arrive at a comprehensive and coherent zoning manual? What kind of City does the City Council want the bylaws to support? Without that solid guidance, a revision will simply be another kind of tinkering with special attention to favored areas, neglect of others, and will be of no comprehensive use in creating a continually livable City.

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Some City Councilors may be aware that the League of Women Voters of Waltham is embarking on a yearlong study of current issues in urban design and planning. We are calling it Waltham Visions and hope that the Councilors, the Mayor, other City officials, and the general public will participate in the several gatherings to come. Until all are aware of the many exciting and innovative options available to communities, any changes will just be using duct tape and paper clips instead of coordinated and cohesive planning. We urge all City Councilors, the Mayor, other City officials and the public to join us at Back Pages Books at 289 Moody St. for the first informational gathering on Thursday, April 11 at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, we eagerly anticipate the City Council's efforts on behalf of a comprehensive, informed zoning code to create a livable, vibrant, welcoming City.

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Christina Camacho 
President, League of Women Voters of Waltham


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