The Newton Land Use Committee on April 1 voted to amend special permit 388-21 to allow a series of retaining walls exceeding four feet in height at 298–304 Elliot Street, subject to engineering approval, required railings and final landscaping.

Attorney Terry Morris, representing the petitioner, said the amendment responds to site conditions and earlier committee guidance. Morris said a preexisting riprap wall had previously extended onto an abutter's property; the petitioner rebuilt the riprap wall so it now lies entirely on the subject parcel and engaged Leoni Landscape and Construction to assess and assist with the wall reconstruction. Morris said the petitioner met on site with engineering and submitted measures that, Martin Smarjasse of the project team indicated, would allow engineering to sign off if the specified items were completed.

Planning staff presented the petition and reminded the committee the site is in the Multi-Residence 1 zone and within the Newton Upper Falls Local Historic District, so changes are subject to both zoning and Historic District Commission (HDC) review. Katie Wewell of planning told the committee that John Daglian of the engineering division visited the site and requested a safety fence or rail system for walls over 3 feet, noted the large stones that had been encroaching on the abutter's property were removed, and advised that siltation control remain until final landscaping is installed.

Morris and the architect said the applicant has planted much of the ground cover and will place final sod and the approved railings as construction is finished; the HDC approved a black metal railing design with one minor modification. Morris said the riprap wall is now entirely on the petitioner's lot and is not a historic wall.

Councilor Andrea Downs moved to close the public hearing and approve the amendment; the committee voted unanimously in favor. The draft council order in the packet swaps the approved site plan to show the amended walls, requires exercise of the special permit through building-permit application, and conditions final inspection and certificate-of-occupancy on statements of compliance, as-built surveys, and engineering approval.

Committee members said they were satisfied that the petitioner had engaged professionals to stabilize the site and that the reconstructed riprap wall was improved in appearance and stability compared with its earlier condition.