Planning Board
The Planning Board accepted withdrawal without prejudice of the Meadowbrook site plan and special permit, and recommended two grant orders to City Council: Bill 2025-037 (MassWorks Clarks Road design grant) and Bill 2025-042 (Complete Streets funding for sidewalks on Highland St. and an intersection redesign at Market St. and South Hampton St.).
The Board opened with the Meadowbrook continued hearing where the applicant, represented by counsel, asked to withdraw the Meadowbrook site plan and special permit applications without prejudice; the Board voted unanimously to accept the withdrawal and to close the public hearing. Counsel explained the applicant is regrouping after community and city resistance; it was noted an interconnection agreement remains transferable.
Two Council referrals received positive recommendations. The Board voted unanimously to send Bill 2025-037 (a $500,000 MassWorks design grant for Clarks Road corridor work) to City Council with the added recommendation that the engineering scope incorporate the Merrimack River District Planning Report; members stressed drainage, sidewalk extents, and coordination with nearby developer projects. The Board also voted unanimously to send Bill 2025-042 (a DOT Complete Streets grant) with a positive recommendation; the grant would fund a sidewalk on the west side of Highland Street (as far as funding allows) and design work to reconfigure the Market St./South Hampton St. intersection into a safer T-style intersection. Administrative discussion included Community Preservation Committee training and staff suggestions to pursue an appraisal for the Meadowbrook/Nihan properties to explore preservation options.