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Home / Meetings /July 27, 2026
Planning Board · July 27, 2026

Planning Board

The Planning Board approved signage for Main Street Congregational (135 Main St), Oye Mira (100 Macy St) and Stop n Shop (110 Macy St); released two lots from the 201 Elm St covenant; authorized stormwater peer review/DRC review for a modification at 102 Kimball Rd; and approved a bond reduction with a $12,000 payment-in-lieu for a raised crosswalk at 2 Merrimac St.

occurred Agenda PDF Minutes Video recording AI Summary
Key decisions
Approved revised sign for 135 Main St (Main Street Congregational Church) with stipulation that the applicant secure a license agreement with the city before installing the sign.
Approved unanimously
Approved signage for 100 Macy St (Oye Mira) with stipulations to revise the pylon sign to a white background, add an ACM backer board to the wall sign, and remove existing applied window signs.
Approved unanimously
Approved sign application for 110 Macy St (Stop n Shop) as presented.
Approved unanimously
Released lots 1 and 3 from the 201 Elm St covenant and accepted changes in the draft covenant dated 7/27/26.
Approved unanimously
Authorized staff to have DPW review stormwater (or obtain peer review if DPW cannot) and send the proposed modification for 102 Kimball Rd to the Design Review Committee for design review prior to the next meeting.
Approved unanimously
Made Pascal Rettig a second signatory for the Planning Board.
Approved unanimously
Reduced the erosion control bond for 2 Merrimac St to $5,800, accepted $12,000 in lieu of installing the raised crosswalk (to be held for future installation), and released the remaining $1,010.50 to the applicant.
Approved unanimously
AI SUMMARY · DRAWN FROM THE MINUTES

The Board heard several sign applications and approved three sign projects: a revised sign for Main Street Congregational (135 Main St) with a stipulation that the applicant secure a city license agreement before installation; signage for Oye Mira at 100 Macy St with design stipulations (white pylon background, ACM backer for the wall sign, and removal of applied window signs); and the Stop n Shop sign at 110 Macy St as presented. Continued hearings for 28 Haverhill Rd and the Rocky Hill Development were moved to a future meeting to allow fuller Board participation; the Rocky Hill discussion included confirmation that the Coastal Trails Coalition letter had been shared with the applicant and design consultants and will be considered in plan revisions.

In administrative business the Board approved release of lots 1 and 3 from the 201 Elm St covenant with acceptance of changes to the draft covenant; authorized staff to have DPW review stormwater (or obtain peer review if necessary) and to send the proposed modification for 102 Kimball Rd to the Design Review Committee for design review; designated Pascal Rettig as a second Planning Board signatory; and approved a reduction of the erosion control bond for 2 Merrimac St while accepting $12,000 in lieu of immediately installing a raised crosswalk. A member of the public urged the Board to require wider sidewalks and a flashing light as part of Rocky Hill-area work to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety; Board members discussed stormwater review needs for projects in the Water Resource Protection District and the role of DRC review for significant design changes.

Generated by an LLM. Verify against the official record before quoting.

Points of interest

Resident public comment on Elm Street trail and pedestrian safety
Resident public comment on Elm Street trail and pedestrian safety
PUBLIC COMMENT
0:13:09–0:17:37 ▶ Watch
A resident from the audience urged the board to require a three-foot wider sidewalk and a flashing light at the Elm Street / Riverwalk connector area to accommodate future trail users, bicycles, and increased neighborhood pedestrian traffic, arguing it is cheaper to require now than retrofit later.
Modification to 201 Elm Street covenant and lot releases (affidavit requirement)
Modification to 201 Elm Street covenant and lot releases (affidavit requirement)
DEBATE
0:17:42–0:30:16 ▶ Watch
Board and staff reviewed a requested modification to the covenant for 201 Elm Street to release Lots 1 and 3 for sale while holding the barn units until outstanding items (as-built plans and a historic preservation restriction) are completed; the board required buyer affidavits acknowledging the historic restriction and approved the covenant changes and lot releases.
Discussion on 102 Kimball Road modification, stormwater review, and DRC sign-off
Discussion on 102 Kimball Road modification, stormwater review, and DRC sign-off
DEBATE
0:30:28–0:53:49 ▶ Watch
Applicant presented a modification to the approved site plan for 102 Kimball Road (rotating the building, changing porous pavement to asphalt, and revised stormwater controls); the board debated whether the changes constitute a minor or major amendment, required stormwater review (city staff or third-party) and Design Review Committee sign-off, and authorized staff to secure a peer review and the applicant to obtain DRC input.
2 Merrimack Street: cash-in-lieu for raised crosswalk and planting bond reduction
2 Merrimack Street: cash-in-lieu for raised crosswalk and planting bond reduction
PRESENTATION
0:54:05–1:01:03 ▶ Watch
Applicant requested to substitute a $12,000 payment to the city in lieu of installing a raised crosswalk now (due to boat-ramp construction timing) and to reduce the planting bond; the board approved the $12,000 payment and the reduced planting bond amount.

Motions & votes

AI-generated summaries of each motion's substance — not the official record. Verify against the meeting minutes or video before quoting.

@ 0:02:18 · APPROVE
Approved unanimously
Approve the revised sign for 135 Main St (Main Street Congregational Church) with the stipulation that the applicant secure a license agreement with the city to place the sign on city property before installation.
MOVED · TOM SALEMI · SECONDED · KEITH RATNER
@ 0:05:46 · APPROVE
Approved unanimously
Approve the signs for 100 Macy St (Oye Mira) with the stipulations that the pylon sign be revised to a white background, the wall sign include an ACM backer board, and the existing applied window signs be removed.
MOVED · KEITH RATNER · SECONDED · TOM SALEMI
@ 0:06:44 · APPROVE
Approved unanimously
Approve the sign application for 110 Macy St (Stop n Shop) as presented.
MOVED · TOM SALEMI · SECONDED · KEITH RATNER
@ 0:30:03 · APPROVE
Approved unanimously
Release lots 1 and 3 from the 201 Elm St covenant and accept the changes in the draft covenant dated 7/27/26.
MOVED · TOM SALEMI · SECONDED · ERIC GIRARD
@ 0:48:49 · OTHER
Approved unanimously
Authorize staff to have DPW review the stormwater for the proposed modification to 102 Kimball Rd (or obtain a peer review if DPW cannot), and send the modification to the Design Review Committee for design review prior to the next meeting.
MOVED · KEITH RATNER · SECONDED · TOM SALEMI
@ 1:02:25 · APPROVE
Approved unanimously
Make Pascal Rettig a second signatory for the Planning Board.
MOVED · KEITH RATNER · SECONDED · TOM SALEMI
UNDER · Administrative · Planning Board Signatory
@ 0:57:12 · APPROVE
Approved unanimously
Reduce the erosion control bond for 2 Merrimac St to $5,800, accept $12,000 in lieu of installing the raised crosswalk (to be used by the city when boat ramp work is complete), and release the remaining $1,010.50 to the applicant.
MOVED · KEITH RATNER · SECONDED · TRACEY CHALIFOUR