Planning Board
The Board approved a design sign for River Run Lending at 43 Main St., approved a subdivision modification for 87 South Hampton Rd preserving open pasture and equestrian structures, and converted the 14 S Hunt Rd. erosion surety to a performance bond (held for two growing seasons). The Board also sent positive recommendations to City Council on Bills 2024-144/145/146 (Colonial Drive and Parcel X/open space acceptance) and on Bill 2024-149 (appropriation/borrowing for 5 Market St.), and approved an ordinance amendment to the Subdivision Rules and Regulations (2024-113) to meet EPA/MS4 stormwater requirements.
The Planning Board held a full meeting addressing a mix of development applications, city referrals, and regulatory updates. Key project actions included approval of a sign application for River Run Lending at 43 Main St., and approval of a Definitive Subdivision and Site Plan Review modification for 87 South Hampton Rd that revises Lot 8 and Lot 9 boundaries and formalizes an open space management plan to keep approximately 27.1 acres as maintained pasture and preserve equestrian buildings. The Board also converted the existing erosion control cash/surety for 14 S Hunt Rd into a performance bond, releasing the covenant upon establishment of the bond and holding the surety for two growing seasons with the option for future reduction after monitoring.
On policy and City Council referrals, the Board voted to send positive recommendations on Bills 2024-144, 2024-145, and 2024-146 to accept and lay out Colonial Drive and accept Parcel X/open space, and separately recommended that City Council approve Bill 2024-149 (an order to appropriate and borrow for 5 Market St., the proposed City Hall relocation). The Board also approved amendments to the Subdivision Rules and Regulations (replacement of section 7.10.b) to satisfy EPA/MS4 stormwater management requirements. Other items handled included administrative discussions about bonds, contract approvals, and routine releases; staff and applicants discussed design details, parking, stormwater, and historic-preservation elements for several proposals, and there were no substantive public objections recorded during the hearings.