Planning Board

The Planning Board meeting focused primarily on the proposed disposition and rezoning of the former AES site at 24 S Hampton Road and on a local development at 38-40 Prospect Street. Staff presented three redevelopment scenarios for the AES property (small single-family, larger single-family PUD, and multifamily), fiscal pro formas, demolition cost estimates (approximately $1 million), and recommendations to limit development to the previously disturbed 4-acre area while retaining about 10 acres as municipal open space. After discussion of density, drainage/stormwater needs, affordable unit requirements, and comparisons to recent Market Street projects, the Board voted 5-0 to send a positive recommendation to City Council on Bill 2025-082 (disposition) and on Bill 2025-083 (map change rezoning portions to R8). Board members expressed support for the multifamily scenario as the least risk and highest fiscal return, and discussed how an RFP would set project objectives and selection criteria.

The Board also considered and approved a staff-drafted decision for the 38-40 Prospect St. Special Permit and Site Plan (restoration of two historic structures and construction of one new single-family home), with conditions requiring adherence to Historical Commission and Design Review Committee-approved designs. Several administrative but substantive items were approved: release of the $5,016.35 bond for 65 Market St.; release of a $4,200 erosion control bond for 130 Market St. (performance bond retained pending Conservation compliance and landscaping); approval of covenant releases for Units A and B at 105 Market St. and Units A and B at 103 Market St.; and release of a $10,000 bond for 37 Middle Road (Eastern Lights). The Board also agreed to form a two-person postmortem subcommittee (volunteer members indicated) to solicit developer and abutter feedback on completed projects to improve future processes.