Zoning Board of Appeals
The board accepted withdrawal of variance and special-permit applications for 282 Lions Mouth Road and reviewed a state-level 40B filing for 27 Kimball Road, discussing density, single access concerns, the 20% affordable unit provision, wetlands jurisdiction, and the option to request a 15-day extension to the state comment deadline.
The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting opened with roll call and housekeeping; minutes from prior meetings were approved. The board unanimously accepted the applicant's withdrawal of the variance and special-permit applications for 282 Lions Mouth Road. Members also approved the proposed 2026 ZBA meeting schedule after confirming it would not conflict with Amesbury Days and would help the board meet statutory timing requirements for hearings.
The board reviewed a state-level 40B submittal for 27 Kimball Road that is currently under state review (local filing not yet made). Members discussed substantive concerns including the proposed density (95 units), whether utilities and infrastructure could support that scale, reliance on a single access point, the 20% affordable unit requirement under 40B, and wetlands jurisdiction. Staff noted comments from Police, Fire, DPW and other technical reviewers are being gathered; the state provided a 30-day comment window with the option to request a 15-day extension. No formal ZBA vote on the 40B comments or an extension request is recorded in the minutes.