With weeks left before a state-imposed deadline, Greater Boston cities and towns are in the home stretch to comply with the historic MBTA Communities Law and enact new zoning plans to allow more housing development. Of those that need to comply by the end of the year, one of the most prominent has been Newton. The wealthy Boston suburb saw a contested election this month, in which voters ousted pro-housing elected officials, and continues to see scathing debate among a divided city council. The city has yet to vote on its new zoning guidelines, with city council meetings held last week and Monday night in which lawmakers failed to end debate and hold a vote. The discussions have created a rift among city councilors and among residents who differ on whether the city should allow more housing. 
"There are clearly two sides that are not doing a lot of listening to each other and they are pretty much set on where they want to go," Charles River Regional Chamber CEO Greg Reibman told Bisnow Tuesday morning. "At the end of the day, I'm pretty confident that they… Read the full story here. | 
