The Land Use Committee of Newton City convened on April 15, 2025, to discuss significant changes to the development project at 400 Main Street, which has undergone a major transformation. The revised proposal now includes a reduction of five buildings and a shift away from office space, increasing the number of residential units to 822, with 145 designated as affordable housing. The project will maintain 96,061 square feet of retail space and introduce a new 124-stall surface parking facility.

A key highlight from the meeting was the presentation by Camoin Associates, the city's peer reviewer, which confirmed that the updated project is expected to generate an annual net positive impact of approximately $1.8 million for the city. Their analysis pointed to a weak demand for office space in the area, with a significant oversupply of premium office options nearby. This shift in focus from office to residential use is seen as a timely response to the declining office market.

Traffic implications were also discussed, with the elimination of most office use leading to a decrease in trip generation for the site. Improvements to traffic safety and multimodal accommodation are planned, addressing areas with higher crash rates. The petitioner has proposed updates to their Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan, which includes adjustments to shuttle operations to better reflect residential commuting patterns.

The meeting also touched on the need for wind studies, which were deemed unnecessary for the current project scope, and confirmed that stormwater management systems are consistent with approved plans. Overall, the committee expressed satisfaction with the petitioner's responses and the direction of the project, paving the way for further consideration in upcoming sessions.