Newton Council Candidate Bowman Calls For End to Single Family

Alicia Bowman, candidate for the Ward 6 at-large seat on the Newton City Council, stated that she supported eliminating single-family zoning in Newton citywide. At the Newton Area Council debate on October 27, Bowman was asked by opponent, current Councilor Vicki Danberg, if she favored eliminating single family zoning because of its history of being associated with racism. Bowman replied, "I'd be willing to set single family zoning aside." When asked by her other opponent, Councilor Greg Schwartz, if she meant in certain areas or city-wide, she replied, "We could look at it citywide."

Bowman went on to state that eliminating single-family zoning would add diversity and more housing to Newton. In particular, she envisioned current owners of single-family homes should be able to divide them into two-family homes across the city.