Planning Board

The Planning Board meeting covered a mix of project approvals, technical peer-review authorizations, and an extended public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment. The board approved signage applications for 57 Main St. and 58 Macy St., authorized Stantec to peer-review stormwater and grading materials for 31 Newton Rd., and approved a draft decision (including three waivers) granting site plan review and special permits for the marina/restaurant project at 2 and 13 Merrimac St. Conditions for the Merrimac approval include detailed retaining-wall and lighting plans, Chapter 91 coordination, EV parking information, a planting plan and wetland demarcation, and a requirement to work with the police department and perform a parking assessment if issues arise.

A lengthy public hearing and legal discussion focused on Bill 2024-096, the proposed expansion and stronger performance standards for the Renewable Energy Development Overlay District (REDD). Legal counsel advised that clearer, science-based performance standards would make the city’s decisionmaking more defensible; the Board debated whether to recommend denial or to direct staff to revise the bill. After extensive public comment—largely opposed to siting a large solar project near Lake Attitash due to water-quality, deforestation, and runoff concerns—the Board directed staff to revise the proposed zoning language to add stronger protections and to return the bill for further review. The Board also approved a corporate name change for Curaleaf (10 Industrial Way) and granted a change of hours for a CNA store, and it scheduled follow-up reviews (including DRC review for the first ADU on 35 Pleasant Valley Rd.).