Planning Board

The Planning Board reviewed a mix of downtown signage applications, site plan approvals, and multiple zoning bills. The Board approved the front and rear signs for River Run Lending at 43 Main St. and required the proposed side sign be remade to match the existing side-sign dimensions. The Bubble Bar sign application at 39 Main St. was also approved. The Board sent Bill 2024-097 (an easement for drainage and utilities at 130 Market St.) back to City Council with a positive recommendation.

A contested set of public hearings included detailed review of the 2 and 13 Merrimac St. proposals (historic parking impacts and site details), where the Board asked staff to prepare a draft decision for 2 Merrimac St. to be considered at the September 9 meeting. The Board granted final approval for the 12 South Hunt Rd. athletic field application with conditions—requiring satisfaction of Stantec peer-review items, a BSC letter confirming stormwater performance, and compliance with conditions from the broader approved site plan/special permit. The Board also authorized staff to sign the Chapter 91 filing acknowledgement for 2-13 Merrimac St.

Significant discussion occurred on Bill 2024-096 (amendments expanding the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District), which drew substantial public comment raising concerns about habitat loss, water quality impacts to Lake Attitash, decommissioning, and visual impacts. Legal counsel and staff briefed the Board on case law limits for prohibiting solar and the protections the ordinance would provide; the Board decided to continue deliberation on the proposed REDD amendment to the next meeting to allow further refinement and public review. Several other zoning bills (including a proposed MBTA Communities overlay and a retail cannabis license limit amendment) were scheduled for continued discussion at a future meeting.