Reviews and approves new housing developments, commercial buildings, and land subdivisions before construction begins.
88 items across 8 meetings.
May 28, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening items.
📋 Proposed
MetroWest Facilities LLC seeks approvals to build a youth soccer field, tot-lot playground, permeable parking, two-way access driveway, and stormwater facilities on 1.9 acres at 240-260 Pleasant Street (Map 13, Lots 108 & 109), ancillary to MetroWest Christian Academy/Connect Church; site is in the Industrial, Groundwater Protection, and MBTA Communities Multi-Family overlay districts.
📍 240-260 Pleasant Street, Assessors Map 13, Lot 108 & 109
📋 Proposed
Board will vote to release remaining funds from the 53G escrow account (applicant-funded review account) back to the YMCA.
💰 Escrow balance amount not specified
• Status unclear
Review and update of the board's ongoing task list.
• Status unclear
Update on Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee activities.
• Status unclear
Update from the Design Review Committee.
• Status unclear
Informational reports from regional and town committees.
• Status unclear
Staff updates on ongoing projects, the Housing Production Plan, and 40B (affordable-housing law) projects affecting the Subsidized Housing Inventory.
📋 Proposed
Approval of May 14 meeting minutes.
• Status unclear
Meeting close.
May 14, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Board approved 5-0 an ANR plan combining two parcels into five lots (three on Pond Street, two on James Road side), with no non-conforming lots created; owner authorization reviewed by Town Counsel.
📍 37 James Road / 123 Pond Street, Ashland
🔄 Postponed
Draft decision reviewed with minor edits; board added a condition on Smart Turf hybrid infill material and continued the hearing to May 28 pending applicant feedback and Building Commissioner input.
📍 240-260 Pleasant Street, Ashland
🔄 Postponed
Applicant requested continuance to June 11 to address Conservation Commission-required changes; Chair Kendall recused due to conflict of interest, motion passed 4-0.
📍 55 Tilton Avenue, Ashland
✅ Approved
Board approved 5-0 a 761 sq ft parcel swap between neighboring properties to allow a pool setback to be met; new lot line documented in minutes as 54.5-ft and 26.0-ft setback lines.
📍 40 & 42 Whittemore Drive, Ashland
✅ Approved
Both Planning Board warrant articles passed at Town Meeting: amending the Building Construction Bylaw for secondary suites and reforming the Design Review Committee structure; volunteers sought via social media and Town Manager Newsletter.
❌ Denied
CPC warrant article to use Community Preservation funds to purchase a property did not pass at Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Planning Director received a request from the YMCA to release remaining 53G escrow bond funds; item will appear on the next agenda after GCG review.
💰 Unspecified bond amount to be released
💬 Discussed
Ashland's Housing Production Plan has been submitted to the State and is under review.
💬 Discussed
Chair Kendall's tenure recognized; board will reorganize at June 11 meeting, with Mr. Montesino offering to step up as Chair.
✅ Approved
Both sets of prior meeting minutes approved 5-0.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 9:07 PM.
May 14, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening of the meeting.
• Status unclear
Standing chair and clerk update.
• Status unclear
Open public comment period.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews an ANR (Approval Not Required — lot division needing no subdivision approval) plan filed April 17, 2026 by Pendulum LLC for 37 James Road and abutting lots.
📍 37 James Road, Ashland
📋 Proposed
Proposed 1.9-acre development at MetroWest Christian Academy/Connect Church site to add a youth soccer field, tot-lot playground, permeable parking, and stormwater facilities; in an Industrial, Groundwater Protection, and MBTA Multi-Family Overlay zone.
📍 240-260 Pleasant Street, Map 13, Lots 108 & 109
📋 Proposed
Applicant seeks to build a 3-story mixed-use building with 14 apartment units and 2 flex-space contractor bays in Ashland's Downtown District C zone.
📍 55 Tilton Avenue, Map 14, Lot 62
📋 Proposed
Board reviews an ANR lot plan filed May 5, 2026 by Kristen Brandt-Unton and Justin Unton for 40 & 42 Whittemore Drive.
📍 40 & 42 Whittemore Drive, Ashland
• Status unclear
Board reviews its task list and gets updates from the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee and Design Review Committee.
• Status unclear
Standing committee reports from Community Preservation Committee, Metro West Regional Collaborative, and Comprehensive Plan update.
• Status unclear
Staff updates on ongoing projects, Housing Production Plan, and status of 40B (affordable-housing law) projects and Subsidized Housing Inventory.
• Status unclear
Board reviews and approves prior meeting minutes.
• Status unclear
Meeting close.
April 30, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
Meeting called to order at 7:17 PM; chair noted a resident email will be reviewed before the next meeting.
💬 Discussed
Resident asked how the state overrides town bylaws on 40B (affordable-housing law); board noted the Housing Production Plan and Comprehensive Plan may create more local housing options.
🔄 Postponed
ANR (Approval Not Required, a by-right lot division) creating five lots from parcels at 137 Pond St and 37 James Rd was continued pending Town Counsel confirmation that the board can act given split ownership.
📍 37 James Road / 137 Pond Street, Ashland
✅ Approved
Board approved sending a bylaw change to Town Meeting that replaces the permanent 5-member Design Review Committee with a per-project ad-hoc committee of 3–5 members to ease recruitment; wording also clarified before closing the hearing.
🔄 Postponed
Board reached informal consensus to allow a Smart Turf hybrid infill (SBR + organic) turf field, citing PFAS review and comparison to existing town fields; formal vote continues to May 14.
📍 240-260 Pleasant Street, Ashland
🔄 Postponed
Peer reviewer flagged parking loss on an adjacent parcel, stormwater running untreated, and impervious-surface impacts on the Nyanza Plume (a contaminated groundwater area); applicant will respond and hearing continues May 14.
📍 55 Tilton Avenue, Ashland
💬 Discussed
Housing Production Plan has been submitted to the state; board was copied on correspondence.
💬 Discussed
Board awaiting a date from Yolanda Greaves for a joint Planning Board/Select Board meeting to appoint the Implementation Committee.
💬 Discussed
CPC agreed on a negotiation ceiling of $845,000 to acquire a property in the Town Forest; the warrant article allows acquisition by eminent domain if needed.
💰 Up to $845,000
📍 Town Forest, Ashland
✅ Approved
Board approved updated fees that shift abutter-notice costs (previously capped at $50) and legal-ad costs ($180–$250 per ad) from the Town to permit applicants, consistent with surrounding towns; fee waivers may be requested.
💰 Legal ads $180–$250 per application; abutter fees previously capped at $50 now passed to applicants
✅ Approved
Minutes approved as amended.
🔄 Postponed
Approval tabled; board will review meeting video regarding YMCA discussion before voting.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 9:16 PM.
April 30, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine meeting opening and opportunity for public comment.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews an ANR (lot division not requiring subdivision approval) plan submitted April 17 by Pendulum LLC for 37 James Road and abutting lots.
📍 37 James Road, Ashland
📋 Proposed
Proposed amendment to Bylaw Ch. 282 §9.6 to expand public participation in the Design Plan Review process.
📋 Proposed
MetroWest Facilities LLC seeks approvals to add a youth soccer field, tot-lot playground, permeable parking, and stormwater facilities on 1.9 acres ancillary to MetroWest Christian Academy & Connect Church; site is in Industrial District and Groundwater Protection Overlay.
📍 240–260 Pleasant Street, Assessors Map 13, Lots 108 & 109
📋 Proposed
Tilton Sunrise LLC proposes a 3-story mixed-use building with 14 apartments and 2 contractor flex bays in the Downtown C zone.
📍 55 Tilton Avenue, Assessors Map 14, Lot 62
💬 Discussed
Board discusses and comments on its ongoing task list.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses the town's Housing Production Plan, guiding Ashland's affordable-housing strategy.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses progress on implementing Ashland's Comprehensive Plan.
• Status unclear
Standing reports from affiliated committees.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews proposed changes to planning application fees.
💰 Fee schedule revision — dollar amounts not specified in agenda
• Status unclear
Routine updates on ongoing projects, 40B (affordable-housing law) developments, and approval of March 26 and April 9 minutes; next meeting May 14.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned.
April 9, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Board endorsed ANR (Approval Not Required — confirms no subdivision, locks in current zoning for 3 years) for the combined ~11-acre site zoned Industrial/Residential/Pond Street Overlay; an abandoned condemned house will be demolished on Pond Street parcel.
📍 37 James Road / 137 Pond Street, Ashland
✅ Approved
Board approved Special Permit, Site Plan Review, Design Plan Review, and Site Alteration Special Permit for the YMCA project 5-0 after finalizing decision language on parking signage, tree protection, and de minimis drainage/parking changes.
📍 30 Memorial Drive, Ashland
🔄 Postponed
Hearing continued to April 30 after board raised PFAS concerns about proposed synthetic turf infill; applicant must provide full manufacturer ingredients list, EPD (Environmental Product Disclosure), and confirm PFAS-free status for the entire turf system including shock pad.
📍 240-260 Pleasant Street, Ashland
🔄 Postponed
Hearing continued to April 30 pending peer review completion and outstanding engineering details; Chair Kendall recused herself due to a conflict of interest.
📍 55 Tilton Avenue, Ashland
💬 Discussed
Standing Design Review Committee has disbanded due to recruitment difficulty; proposed bylaw would replace it with per-project ad-hoc advisors (3–5 members) drawn from a Board-maintained list; public hearing scheduled April 30.
💬 Discussed
Final draft incorporating latest comments expected imminently; will be submitted jointly with Select Board to the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), with approval retroactive to submission date.
💬 Discussed
61 Waverly St received ZBA and Conservation approvals and is ready for groundwork; 55 West Union St continues at ZBA through May; 10-60 Main St remains before Conservation Commission.
📍 61 Waverly St / 55 West Union St / 10-60 Main St
💬 Discussed
No new CPC projects; a warrant article is pending for possible purchase of a land parcel for the Town Forest.
💬 Discussed
Joint Planning Board/Select Board meeting rescheduled; applicant posting made via Michael Herbert's newsletter; boards aim to reconvene and form the Implementation Committee in early June.
✅ Approved
March 12 meeting minutes approved 4-0.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 10:01 PM.
April 9, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Routine opening items.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews an ANR (Approval Not Required — certifies no formal subdivision needed) plan for 37 James Road and abutting lots proposed by Pendulum LLC.
📍 37 James Road, Ashland
📋 Proposed
Board reviews an ANR plan for 137 Pond Street proposed by Pendulum LLC.
📍 137 Pond Street, Ashland
📋 Proposed
MetroWest YMCA seeks special permits and site plan approval to build a full-service YMCA, Early Learning Center, soccer fields, walking paths, and parking on 12.55 acres in the Rail Transit District (RTD-C/RTD-D), Map 13 Lot 178.
📍 30 Memorial Drive, Assessors Map 13, Lot 178
📋 Proposed
MetroWest Facilities LLC seeks site plan approval to add a youth soccer field, tot-lot, permeable parking, and stormwater facilities on 1.9 acres ancillary to MetroWest Christian Academy & Connect Church; site is in the Groundwater Protection Overlay District, Map 13 Lots 108 & 109.
📍 240-260 Pleasant Street, Assessors Map 13, Lots 108 & 109
📋 Proposed
Tilton Sunrise LLC seeks approval to build a 3-story mixed-use building with 14 apartment units and 2 flex-space contractor bays in the Downtown District–C zone, Map 14 Lot 62.
📍 55 Tilton Avenue, Assessors Map 14, Lot 62
💬 Discussed
Board discusses ongoing work items including a proposed Design Review Committee bylaw, housing production planning, and comprehensive plan implementation.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews proposed changes to planning application fees.
💰 Fee changes — amounts not specified in agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
💬 Discussed
Staff and committee updates including status of 40B (affordable-housing law) projects and the Subsidized Housing Inventory.
• Status unclear
Meeting close.