Known as a growing suburb of Wichita, Kansas, Newton Falls City is located near U.S. Highway 50. The city currently provides water and sanitary sewer services to residents south of the highway. There are plans to build a variety of residential and commercial uses on Kansas Avenue, especially in the north Newton area. In addition, the city has several available parcels for development. Residents can find everything from single-family homes to multi-tenant commercial buildings.
In contrast to the typical development narrative, the history of this new housing project is a little different. It involves a fierce debate between opponents and proponents of the new development. Ultimately, a coalition of proponents and opponents was formed, including a developer, local activists, and many civic organizations. In the end, the project was approved by citywide referendum. The story also highlights issues related to income inequality, the housing shortage in the Boston metro area, and the looming climate crisis.
The city's zoning laws distinguish between "by-right" and "special permit" zoning. By-right zoning allows a single-family home to be built anywhere, while special permit zoning requires a special permit to build on a parcel. However, the approval process for these projects can be lengthy. This article will address key questions regarding the zoning laws in Newton.