Reviews and approves new housing developments, commercial buildings, and land subdivisions before construction begins.
77 items across 8 meetings.
June 10, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Administrative endorsement review of an Approval Not Required (no subdivision approval needed) plan at 3 Beaulieu Street.
📍 3 Beaulieu Street, Chelmsford
🔄 Postponed
Applicant Donna Koulas seeks to split a 7.52-acre RB-zoned parcel (Map 91, Block 344, Lot 9) into 3 lots with 2 new homes (one with an ADU) via a new private road on paper street Chestnut Hill Lane; applicant requests continuation to June 24.
📍 9 Lady Slipper Lane, Chelmsford
💬 Discussed
Board discusses how to resolve existing zoning conflicts in the Riverneck/East Chelmsford corridor and the scope of any rezoning action.
📍 Riverneck Road area, East Chelmsford
💬 Discussed
Board reviews how current zoning regulations address data centers and whether changes are needed.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses whether a proposed coffee shop at 210 Boston Road is permitted under current zoning.
📍 210 Boston Road, Chelmsford
💬 Discussed
Board reviews a draft streamlined permitting process to address gaps in aquifer protection regulations.
📋 Proposed
Board votes to appoint a new Planning Board member to the Managed Growth Task Force to replace departing member John Sousa.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews and prioritizes the tracking list of pending zoning bylaw and regulation changes.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses revisions to the zoning bylaw definition of 'Contractor Yard' to address current ambiguities.
📋 Proposed
Approval of draft minutes from the May 27, 2026 Planning Board meeting.
• Status unclear
Routine update from Community Development Director Evan Belansky.
• Status unclear
Board members share liaison reports; no new business listed.
May 27, 2026 · minutes
💬 Discussed
Residents at 29 Chamberlain Road described ongoing boundary and fence-quality disputes with commercial neighbor Loop Real Estate at 12 Kidder Road; board will address compliance issues at occupancy permit inspection.
📍 12 Kidder Road / 29 Chamberlain Road
🔄 Postponed
Applicant Donna Koulas seeks to create two new single-family lots plus an ADU on a 7.52-acre RB-zoned parcel (Map 91, Block 344, Lot 9) via a new private road; continued without discussion to June 10.
📍 9 Lady Slipper Lane
💬 Discussed
Second managed-growth strategy grant due June 3; a preliminary meeting on a redesigned mall project along Chelmsford Street is set for June 10 at 2:30 p.m.
📍 Chelmsford Street
💬 Discussed
Outreach to NMCOG member towns on contractor yard definitions yielded limited useful comparisons; Conservation Commission continued Lady Slipper Lane and held a minor hearing for a sport court at Lighthouse School, 25 Wellman.
📍 25 Wellman Avenue
💬 Discussed
Board began scoping new zoning regulations for data centers, discussing setbacks (500–1,000 ft from residential), noise/generator/cooling controls, size tiers, and use-table approach; draft definitions targeted for June 10 meeting.
💬 Discussed
Board agreed to pursue rezoning the 210 Boston Road area from CA to CB light and adding a small-restaurant definition (likely ≤1,000 sq ft) to allow coffee shops; Belansky to provide seating/size data from Board of Health for June 10.
📍 210 Boston Road
💬 Discussed
Edits from Belansky, Luna, and Lavallee consolidated and forwarded to Board of Health for incorporation; no vote required.
💬 Discussed
No new progress; Member Sousa stepped back from the task force due to serving as Acting Town Manager, and Member Raisbeck agreed to take over; board asked to volunteer a second Planning Board representative before June 10.
💬 Discussed
Version 3 introduces three tiers: Tier 1 (indoor condo-style, no heavy vehicles, allowed in CB light+), Tier 2 (moderate ops, special permit in commercial zones), Tier 3 (heavy excavation/fuel storage, IA only); board to submit comments before June 10.
💬 Discussed
First informal neighborhood meeting on Riverneck zoning conflicts scheduled for June 10; board member Tanini preparing materials and residents have been notified.
📍 Riverneck Road area
✅ Approved
Minutes approved 8-0.
May 27, 2026 · agenda
🔄 Postponed
Applicant Donna Koulas seeks to split a 7.52-acre RB-zoned lot (Map 91, Block 344, Lot 9) into 3 lots with a new private road (Chestnut Hill Lane) and an ADU; hearing continuation to June 10 requested.
📍 9 Lady Slipper Lane, Chelmsford
💬 Discussed
Board will review zoning rules governing data centers — likely a discussion of where and how such facilities are permitted in Chelmsford.
💬 Discussed
Board will consider a zoning inquiry about whether a coffee shop use is permitted at 210 Boston Road.
📍 210 Boston Road, Chelmsford
💬 Discussed
Board continues reviewing a draft streamlined permitting process to address gaps in the town's aquifer protection overlay regulations.
💬 Discussed
Ongoing discussion of the town's Managed Growth Strategy, including task force work and financial considerations for managing future development.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews a tracking document (V4) to prioritize pending zoning bylaw and regulation changes.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses approach to updating the zoning definition of 'contractor yard,' which affects where such businesses can operate.
🔄 Postponed
Discussion of zoning conflicts in the Riverneck Road area is postponed to the June 10 meeting.
📍 Riverneck Road area
💬 Discussed
Routine update from Director Evan Belansky.
💬 Discussed
Board members report on liaison activities; miscellaneous new business items.
📋 Proposed
Approval of draft minutes from the May 13 meeting.
May 13, 2026 · minutes
🔄 Postponed
Board continued to May 27 a proposal to subdivide 7.52 acres (Map 91, Block 344, Lot 9) into three lots with a new private gravel road (Chestnut Hill Lane) and an ADU; neighbors raised stormwater runoff, legal road-rights, and historic stone-wall concerns.
📍 9 Lady Slipper Lane / Canter Road, Chelmsford
💬 Discussed
CA zoning prohibits all restaurants, so a proposed coffee shop cannot open at the Boston Road retail plaza; board discussed rezoning to CB Light or creating a size-based restaurant subcategory, directing further discussion at next meeting.
📍 210 Boston Road
💬 Discussed
Board members provided verbal feedback to consultants and were directed to submit additional written input; member Luna wants Planning Board input rights when licensed site professionals (LSPs) dispute contamination findings.
💬 Discussed
Board supported removing specific dollar amounts from the PILO (payment-in-lieu-of) affordable-housing bylaw and placing them in a separately updatable policy; full bylaw overhaul with Chelmsford Housing Authority and Choice to follow.
💬 Discussed
Chair Lavallee proposed a three-tier contractor yard classification: Tier 1 (no heavy equipment, ≤3 vehicles) allowed by right in all commercial and IA zones; Tier 2 by special permit in commercial; Tier 3 only by special permit in Industrial A — targeting fall Town Meeting.
💬 Discussed
Board reviewed rezoning proposals for three Riverneck Road segments: town parcels near Rt. 495 to Public zoning, split IA/RB residential parcels to all-RB, and McFarlin/Mercury/Apollo Drive area partly to CB Light; informal property-owner discussions scheduled for June 10.
📍 Riverneck Road / Apollo Drive / Progress Avenue area
💬 Discussed
Member Luna submitted initial thoughts on data centers; item added to next meeting agenda to discuss possible zoning bylaw changes.
💬 Discussed
Second $100,000 state grant submission due June 3; both grants (March and June submissions) expected to receive award decisions around October.
💰 $100,000 grant per submission
💬 Discussed
All zoning articles passed at Town Meeting except bed-and-breakfast; ZBA granted a minor ADU FAR variance; Vinal Square parking lot lease has lapsed with property owner unresponsive; Clock Tower unveiling May 25.
📍 Vinal Square
💬 Discussed
Board member Sousa will serve as acting town manager starting May 26; Town Counsel confirmed he may continue on the Planning Board since the role is temporary (max six months).
✅ Approved
Minutes approved 7-0-1 (Tanini abstained); joint-board minutes approved 6-0-2 with correction removing Connolly from attendance.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at approximately 10:00 p.m.
May 13, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Applicant seeks to split a 7.52-acre RB-zoned lot (Map 91, Blk 344, Lot 9) into 3 lots served by a new private road (Chestnut Hill Lane), including one ADU; road-construction waivers and multiple abutter letters on file.
📍 9 Lady Slipper Lane
💬 Discussed
Board reviews a zoning inquiry for a proposed coffee shop at 210 Boston Road; no formal application filed yet.
📍 210 Boston Road
💬 Discussed
Board discusses gaps in aquifer (groundwater supply) protection regulations, which could lead to stricter development standards.
💬 Discussed
Ongoing review of the town's managed-growth task force work and consultant scope covering long-term development controls.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews updated tracking document to prioritize which zoning bylaw amendments to advance next.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses revisions to PILO (payment-in-lieu-of, a fee substitution for required on-site amenities) provisions in the zoning bylaw.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses approach to update the zoning definition of 'contractor yard' to address regulatory gaps.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews maps and a proposed scope to resolve longstanding zoning conflicts in the Riverneck Road area.
📍 Riverneck Road area
💬 Discussed
Routine staff update from Director Evan Belansky.
📋 Proposed
Board considers approval of draft minutes from the April 8, 2026 regular and joint Finance Committee meetings.
• Status unclear
Meeting adjourned; next meetings May 27 and June 10, 2026.
April 8, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Annual election of board officers to open the meeting.
📋 Proposed
ANR (Approval Not Required — minor subdivision bypassing full hearing) would split a Pine Hill Road parcel into 3 lots.
📍 Pine Hill Road, Chelmsford
🔄 Postponed
Continued hearing on a citizen petition to reverse the Fall 2025 Town Meeting's new zoning definition of 'Family,' restoring the original language.
💬 Discussed
Routine update from Community Development Director Evan Belansky.
💬 Discussed
Board members report on updates from other boards or committees.
💬 Discussed
Ongoing discussion of the town's Managed Growth Strategy, including task force work and financial considerations shaping future development.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews and prioritizes a running list of pending zoning bylaw and regulation amendments.
💬 Discussed
Proposed zoning text changes would align child-care definitions with state law (MGL), replacing 'Child Care Facility' with 'Family Child Care Home' and 'Child Day Care Facility.'
💬 Discussed
Cleanup of zoning section 195-104 to remove duplicates and clarify the voting process when a site plan depends on a special permit.
💬 Discussed
Updates to departmental review procedures within the site plan and special permit regulations.
💬 Discussed
Discussion of possible changes to PILO (Payment in Lieu Of open space) requirements that developers can use instead of providing land.
💬 Discussed
Board discusses approach for updating the zoning definition of 'Contractor Yard.'
💬 Discussed
Board discusses resolving identified zoning conflicts in the Riverneck Road area; no updates expected until May meetings.
📍 Riverneck Road area, Chelmsford
📋 Proposed
Approval of draft minutes from the March 25, 2026 meeting.