Planning Board
Board approved Historic Preservation Special Permits for 5 & 13 School St., 14 Maple St., and 19 Prospect St.; approved a sign at 19 Main St.; made a minor modification to the 27.5-29 Clarks Road decision; and voted a positive recommendation on Bill 2026-068 (ADU ordinance amendments).
The Planning Board meeting focused on several historic-preservation special permits, an amendment to the city ADU ordinance, and a few administrative items. The Board approved the sign for Nunami at 19 Main St., and approved draft decisions (finalizing special permits) for 5 & 13 School St. (a redevelopment with seven units and one required affordable unit under a Historic Preservation Restriction), 14 Maple St., and 19 Prospect St.; staff noted Historical Commission and design-review signoffs and standard conditions for those projects. The Board also approved a minor modification to the previously filed decision for 27.5-29 Clarks Road to remove language about an existing utility pole in condition 17.
On policy, the Board voted to send Bill 2026-068 — proposed amendments to Section XI.K.3 (Accessory Dwelling Units) — to the City Council with a positive recommendation. Discussion of the bill centered on bringing Amesbury’s ADU rules into compliance with the 2024 Affordable Homes Act (confirming a 900 sq ft limit, removal of owner-occupancy, allowing ADUs in parts of the Central Industrial district via special permit/site-plan review, and modest dimensional/design changes for accessory structures). Public comment occurred on several development applications (notably 2–4 Elmwood St.), where neighbors raised concerns about neighborhood character, parking, snow storage, and precedent; the Board continued other large/heavily discussed projects (Oakland St., Elmwood) to allow staff to prepare draft decisions and for applicants to address outstanding items.
Points of interest
