Zoning Board (ZBA)
Grants exceptions to local zoning rules — for example, allowing a building that's slightly too close to a property line. Their decisions can be appealed to court within 20 days.
50 items across 14 meetings.
July 2, 2026 · agenda
🔄 Postponed
Continued hearing on Fair Housing Solutions' proposed 58-unit, single-story, age-restricted (55+) rental community with parking, landscaping and open space at 46 Depot Street (Map 44, Lot 30).
📍 46 Depot Street
📋 Proposed
New hearing on Owen Harren's request to change the use of the pre-existing nonconforming property at 11 Summer Street (Map 94, Lot 257).
📍 11 Summer Street
📋 Proposed
New hearing on owners' request to keep more than 5 dogs as an accessory use at 70 Prospect Street (Map 94, Lot 81A).
📍 70 Prospect Street
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
• Status unclear
Next meeting set for August 6, 2026.
June 4, 2026 · agenda
🔄 Postponed
Applicant is withdrawing its request for a mixed-use commercial space plus two second-floor apartments at 15 Moody Street; hearing continued only to allow withdrawal without prejudice.
📍 15 Moody Street, Map 94 Lot 215
📋 Proposed
Owner seeks a special permit to add a front farmers porch and rear addition to a pre-existing non-conforming home, heard June 4.
📍 18 Kennedy Road, Map-Block-Parcel 50
📋 Proposed
Comprehensive permit sought under 40B (affordable-housing law) for a 58-unit, age-restricted (55+), single-story rental community on 5.2 acres on Depot Street's west side.
📍 46 Depot Street, Map 44 Lot 30
📋 Proposed
Approval of April 2 and May 7, 2026 minutes.
May 7, 2026 · minutes
❌ Denied
Special permit denied for a battery energy storage system (BESS) on the former wool-mill/DPW site, with the board citing neighborhood character and proximity to wetlands and the Charles River; one member opposed.
📍 26 Pearl Street
🔄 Postponed
Owner wants to convert vacant commercial space to an apartment; hearing continued to June 4, 2026 at 7 p.m. to involve the Building Commissioner.
📍 15 Moody Street
✅ Approved
Kennel special permit for 6 dogs renewed unanimously after Animal Control confirmed no issues over the past year.
📍 109 Patricia Drive
✅ Approved
Meeting closed at 8:52 p.m.
May 7, 2026 · agenda
🔄 Postponed
Continued hearing on a special permit for a battery energy storage facility on the ~20.8-acre industrial property at 26 Pearl Street (Map 4 Lot 60), a use not currently listed in the bylaw.
📍 26 Pearl Street
📋 Proposed
Hearing on Moody Street LLC's special permit to allow commercial space plus two second-floor apartments at 15 Moody Street (Map 94 Lot 215).
📍 15 Moody Street
📋 Proposed
Renewal of a special permit allowing 6 dogs at 109 Patricia Drive.
📍 109 Patricia Drive
April 2, 2026 · minutes
🔄 Postponed
Zero Point Development proposes a 5-megawatt lithium-ion battery storage facility on 20.8 town-owned industrial acres; residents submitted a 200-signature opposition petition citing fire, smoke, flooding, and neighborhood-character concerns.
💰 Projected $37,000 annually in tax revenue; decommissioning bond required at end of 20-year life
📍 26 Pearl Street (Assessor's Map 4 Lot 60)
🔄 Postponed
Hearing continued to May 7, 2026 at 7:00 PM; applicant must provide site illustrations, traffic, utility, and neighborhood-impact analysis, and board members will do staked site walks.
📍 26 Pearl Street
✅ Approved
Prior minutes approved; Coehlo and Shamas abstained as absent.
✅ Approved
Board voted to accept a typographical correction to its Prospect Hill decision.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
April 2, 2026 · agenda
🔄 Postponed
Continued hearing on a special permit to allow a battery energy storage facility on the 20.8-acre industrial property at 26 Pearl Street (Map 4, Lot 60), a use not currently listed in zoning bylaws.
📍 26 Pearl Street
📋 Proposed
Approving prior meeting minutes.
💬 Discussed
Board to review and decide on the Prospect Hill Village matter.
March 26, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Board voted unanimously to open the meeting.
🗳️ Voted on
Applicant Petrozzi challenged conditions attached to a Development Plan Approval; Town Counsel confirmed the Planning Board has authority to impose conditions, and ZBA voted unanimously to uphold the Planning Board's decision. A related Special Permit denial is pending in Superior Court.
✅ Approved
Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:00 PM.
March 26, 2026 · agenda
🔄 Postponed
Continued appeal of a Planning Board approval for the Prospect Village project off Lake Street and Prospect Street; petitioner is Wall Street Development Corp.
📍 Lake Street and Prospect Street; Assessor Map 69 Lot 87, Map 65 Lots 20, 22, 22-01, 22-021
• Status unclear
Next meeting scheduled for April 2, 2026.
March 19, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Coming up March 19: appeal of a Planning Board approval (Section 240-16.B.(3)) for property off Lake Street and Prospect Street, filed by Wall Street Development Corp.
📍 Off Lake Street and Prospect Street; Map 69 Lot 87, Map 65 Lots 20, 22, 22-01, 22-021
• Status unclear
Next meeting scheduled April 2, 2026.
March 5, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Board voted unanimously to open the March 5 meeting.
🔄 Postponed
Hearing continued to a March 19 special meeting after a quorum failure — Berthelette recused (prior Planning Board vote), leaving four members required but not all present; appeal decision deadline is April 4, 2026.
📍 Prospect Village, Bellingham
🔄 Postponed
Hearing opened then immediately continued to April 2, 2026 because the applicant could not attend due to inclement weather travel concerns.
📍 26 Pearl Street, Bellingham
✅ Approved
Minutes accepted as amended.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 PM.
March 5, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Coming up March 5: appeal of a Planning Board decision on the Prospect Village development off Lake Street and Prospect Street, filed by Wall Street Development Corp.
📍 Off Lake Street and Prospect Street (Assessor Map 69 Lot 87, Map 65 Lots 20, 22, 22-01, 22-021)
📋 Proposed
Coming up March 5: special permit hearing to allow a battery energy storage facility on a 20.8-acre industrial-zoned property at 26 Pearl Street.
📍 26 Pearl Street (Assessor Map 4 Lot 60)
📋 Proposed
Approval of February 5, 2026 minutes.
February 5, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Coming up Feb 5: appeal of a Planning Board decision on property off Lake Street and Prospect Street, brought by Wall Street Development Corp (Map 65, Lots 20, 22, 22-01, 22-021).
📍 Lake Street and Prospect Street area
📋 Proposed
Coming up Feb 5: use variance hearing for the 85.5-acre Red Mill on the Charles subdivision (Mechanic Street, Map 51 Lot 13-01) seeking 2-unit townhouses and reduced front/side yard setbacks.
📍 Mechanic Street (Map 51 Lot 13-01)
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
January 8, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Board voted unanimously to open the meeting.
🔄 Postponed
Appeal of a Planning Board decision continued to February 5, 2026; requires 4-of-5 member vote, with Berthelette recusing as a Planning Board member.
📍 Prospect Village, Bellingham
💬 Discussed
Burton Woods 40B (affordable-housing law) project is on hold following an appeal by Franklin residents; surety bond is updated but will only be placed once construction is ready to begin.
📍 Burton Woods, Bellingham
✅ Approved
Board unanimously accepted the October 2, 2025 minutes as presented.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.
January 8, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Appeal under Bylaw Section 240-16.B.(3) of a Planning Board approval for Prospect Village, on land off Lake Street and Prospect Street (Assessor Map 69 Lot 87, Map 65 Lots 20, 22, 22-01, 22-021); petitioner Wall Street Development Corp.
📍 Off Lake Street and Prospect Street
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Next meeting set for February 5, 2026.