Planning Board Meeting: October 1, 2025

Attendance

• Planning Board Members present in-person: John Mirick, Corey Burnham-Howard, Ian Catlow, Larry DeBlois, Scott Peoples and Alternate Members Ann O’Connor and Ryan O’Meara
• Planning Board Members present, remote:  none
• Planning Board Members absent:  none
• Other Participation, in person: Lar Greene and Mason Greene
• Other Participation, remote:  none

Call to Order

7:30 PM

Review and Act on ANR Plans

No plans were presented for review and action

ADU proposed on Rhodes Road – Informal Discussion with Lar Greene and Mason Greene

Mason Greene has a building lot on which he is considering building a small house with no more than 900 square feet and subsequently building a larger house on the same lot, at which time he would designate the small house as an Accessory Dwelling Unit (“ADU”).  The small house would be in the back left corner of the site. Conceptually, the Board thought this approach should be feasible provided that the larger house has at least double the gross floor area of the small house, and provided that the overall exterior appearance of the buildings was that of a dwelling and subordinate accessory buildings.  Procedurally, there is no specific provision in the ADU Zoning By-Law covering such a proposal.

Review and Approve Special Permit for Public Safety Building

John reported that Carlos Nieto was circulating the draft decision among the building team and needs until October 15 to provide comments.  Larry suggested that the “substantially in accordance with the plans and specifications” was a little vague.  After discussion, it was the sense of the Board that “substantially in accordance” was a fairly common term, designed to avoid motions for amendment when site conditions require minor modifications in plans.  Further review was tabled pending comments from Carlos.

Continued Discussion of possible projects for this year

The informal discussion on the ADU proposed on Rhodes Road and the draft special permit for earth removal suggest that we may want to provide more specificity in those sections of the By-Laws.  Corey is developing information on AI centers.  For the October 15 meeting, John will make a list of the possibilities that have been mentioned to help focus discussion

Public Comment

No one appeared.

Report from the Chair on pending matters

In response to a request from the Attorney General’s Office, John has provided information on the zoning map and parcels affected by the MBTA High Density Overlay District.

Karen Cruise has asked Town Boards and Committees to follow uniform procedures for agendas and minutes,

Nothing further has been received on the Bomba plans for Westminster Road.

John and Corey suggested at the “all boards and committees chair” meeting that the Planning Board would develop a survey to solicit input from residents on issues that might be addressed through zoning amendments.  The Selectboard approved the concept.

Review and Approve Minutes for September 17, 2025 Meeting

Motion to approve minutes

Motion:  Larry DeBlois; second Scott Peoples

Vote:  4-0

Board Member Ian Catlow did not vote because the minutes included the hearing on the earth removal permit for the public safety building and he is on the Public Safety Building Committee.

Next Meeting

October 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM.  This will begin with a joint public hearing of the Zoning Board of Appeals (request to approve addition to a non-conforming building) and the Planning Board (site plan review), followed by the regular meeting of the Planning Board

Meeting adjourned

at approximately 8:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

John Mirick

Documents Reviewed

• Draft Special Permit for earth removal permit for public safety building
• Email and conceptual site plan for ADU on Rhodes Road
• Draft minutes for 9/17/25 meeting