Brian Yates

Alderman-at-Large, Ward 5
City of Newton, MA

Alderman-at-Large, Ward Five, 1987- Present
- 100% attendance at full Board meetings
- Chair, Zoning and Planning Committee
- Sponsor of nationally recognized zoning amendments to control over development through floor area ratios, height limits, etc.
- Sponsor of historic preservation measures, Landmark Ordinance, Historic Rehab. Tax Relief, etc.

Member, Public Facilities Committee
- Supported renovations of Newton South High School
- Supported renovations of Oak Hill Middle School and renovations to Day and Bigelow Middle Schools
- Supported Elementary School renovations (Countryside, Angier, Bowen, Williams, Memorial-Spaulding, etc.)
- Supported changes in sewer policies to prevent any sewage backup into residents' homes

Member, Real Property Re-use Committee
- Supported establishment of the Brigham House Community Center in the former Newton Highlands Library
- Supported transfer of Department of Public Works Land on Rumford Avenue to Conservation Commission
- Supported demolition of former City Incinerator on Rumford Avenue and sale of site for an office building
- Supported use of former Carr School as a “swing school,” while other schools were renovated, but subject to return to city jurisdiction when no longer needed.

Previous City Positions
- Zoning Review Committee, 1987 – took part in total restructuring of ordinance that included establishment of minimum threshold for commercial development that would require a special permit.

Economic Development Commission
- Helped to establish new Mixed Use Districts on Needham Street to begin controlling commercial over development.
Community Support
- Founder and later President, Friends of Hemlock Gorge Reservation, Newton Upper Falls, 1988 to present

This page last updated on Wednesday September 09, 2009