Brian Yates

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

Needham Street

• As a citizen activist, I took part in the Lozano-White Study that began the process of controlling over development on Needham Street. I successfully lobbied more than 15 years ago for the installation of the first lights at the Oak Street intersection.
  

• As a member of the Economic Development Commission, I helped to develop the Mixed Use 1 and 2 Districts for the area to encourage office use, research and development, and protect “orphan retail” uses of vital use to the City, but unavailable anywhere else.
  

• As an Alderman, I broadened the uses to be encouraged to include manufacturing, and am exploring ways to encourage property owners to use their properties without adversely affecting the traffic flow or surrounding neighborhoods.
  

• I worked with the Planning and Law Departments to develop the Board order exploring the reasons for the denial of Stop and Stop petitions. I read it into the record on the floor of the Board. I strongly supported the city’s defense of the denial that was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Judicial Court.
  

• As a member of Mayor Cohen’s Needham Street Task Force, I worked to develop improvements to the road that would provide safe access to and from the corridor and businesses.
  

• I am working on ways to encourage businesses that would have minimal traffic impact on Needham Street.

This page last updated on September 6, 2001

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