Planning Board
Reviews and approves new housing developments, commercial buildings, and land subdivisions before construction begins.
176 items across 24 meetings.
July 7, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Chair opens meeting and accepts any items not submitted 48 hours in advance.
📋 Proposed
Approval of minutes from the two prior Planning Board meetings.
🔄 Postponed
Continued public hearing on the Meadowbrook Commons EA multifamily development application at 7:15 pm.
📍 Meadowbrook Commons, Sherborn
💬 Discussed
Planning Board discusses ongoing review and potential updates to Sherborn's zoning bylaws.
• Status unclear
Board members share updates from inter-board meetings.
• Status unclear
Town Planner provides a status update on current planning matters.
June 30, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Roundtable to collect business-owner feedback on the ongoing full rewrite of Sherborn's Zoning Bylaw, including permitting streamlining and Town communication.
📍 19 Washington Street, Room 204A
📋 Proposed
Town seeks business-community input on the MVP 2.0 update — a state-funded climate-resilience planning grant — to identify local vulnerabilities and opportunities.
📍 19 Washington Street, Room 204A
💬 Discussed
The federally tracked Downtown TIP road/transportation project is a listed discussion topic for business-community feedback.
📍 Downtown Sherborn
June 23, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Chair opens meeting and accepts any items not submitted 48 hours in advance.
📋 Proposed
Approval of minutes from the June 9, 2026 meeting.
🔄 Postponed
Continued hearing on a stormwater management permit application at 65 Farm Road; details on scope not provided in agenda.
📋 Proposed
ANR (Approval Not Required — a lot division meeting frontage/area rules without full subdivision review) proposed at 250 Western Ave.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews and discusses ongoing updates to the town's zoning bylaws.
• Status unclear
Board members report on interactions with other town boards and outside entities.
• Status unclear
Town Planner provides a status update on planning matters.
June 9, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of two prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Public hearing on a multifamily housing application for Meadowbrook Commons; details of unit count and location not specified in agenda.
📍 Meadowbrook Commons
📋 Proposed
Public hearing on a stormwater management permit application at 65 Farm Road.
📍 65 Farm Road
📋 Proposed
Board will reorganize, likely electing officers for the new term.
📋 Proposed
Board will review or act on a stone wall repair matter at 110 Woodland; context not detailed in agenda.
📍 110 Woodland
💬 Discussed
Ongoing review of Sherborn's Zoning Bylaw; changes could affect what's allowed on residential and commercial parcels town-wide.
📋 Proposed
Planning Board will consider reappointing members to three town committees.
📋 Proposed
Routine reports from the Town Planner and updates on coordination with other boards.
June 2, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Coming up June 2, 7:30–8:30 pm at 19 Washington St, Room 204A (also via Zoom) — Planning Board meets with farmers and horse owners to hear concerns before updating zoning bylaws and climate plans.
📍 19 Washington Street, Room 204A, Sherborn
📋 Proposed
Town is updating its MVP 2.0 (state climate-resilience grant) plan and wants agricultural landowners' input on vulnerabilities and needs.
📋 Proposed
Broad zoning bylaw rewrite will address balancing farming vs. neighborhood needs, permitting improvements, and protected agricultural uses — community feedback sought now.
📋 Proposed
State Transportation Improvement Project (TIP) for a downtown intersection is listed as a roundtable discussion topic; details not specified in this notice.
📍 Downtown Sherborn
May 19, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Board will reorganize, likely electing officers for the new term.
📋 Proposed
Discussion of zoning bylaw amendments brought by Michael Newman — specifics not detailed in agenda.
💬 Discussed
Status update on the Meadowbrook Commons development project.
📋 Proposed
Review of a stormwater management permit application at 65 Farm Road.
📍 65 Farm Road
💬 Discussed
Continued review and discussion of the town's zoning bylaws.
📋 Proposed
Board members report on inter-board communications.
📋 Proposed
Town Planner provides updates on planning matters.
May 5, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Agenda accepted as presented, 5-0.
✅ Approved
April 7 minutes approved 4-0-1 with minor clarifications; April 17 minutes approved 3-0-2 with no edits; abstentions in both cases due to absence.
✅ Approved
Both Planning Board zoning bylaw warrant articles passed at Annual Town Meeting and are now submitted to the MA Attorney General (up to 90-day review); amendments will be retroactive to the vote date upon approval; online e-code portal won't reflect changes until August at earliest.
💬 Discussed
Age-restricted multi-unit townhouse development with affordable units on Coolidge Street has filed its application; public hearing scheduled June 9, 2026 (must occur within 65 days of filing).
📍 Coolidge Street
✅ Approved
Board voted 5-0 to retain a technical peer reviewer to evaluate drawings, open space calculations, and plan details; cost borne by applicant through an escrow account.
💰 Applicant-funded via escrow
📍 Coolidge Street
✅ Approved
Board voted 5-0 to delegate the Stormwater Management Permit to the Conservation Commission given the project's wetlands crossing and technical complexity, with information-sharing between the two boards.
📍 Coolidge Street
💬 Discussed
North Sherborn Water & Sewer District — a legal prerequisite before any building permits can issue — has multiple parallel workstreams: FEIR pending state acceptance, Framingham intermunicipal agreement nearly final (Natick's already executed), engineering design incomplete, and MWRA emergency access on Gray Road still requires an MWRA permit.
📍 Gray Road; North Sherborn
💬 Discussed
Town Planner leading a cleanup and reorganization (not a rewrite) of Sherborn's zoning bylaws to fix disorganization, scattered provisions, and inconsistent timelines; draft table of contents and revised schedule of uses targeted for May 19 meeting.
💬 Discussed
MassDOT approved advancing to the engineering phase of the Downtown TIP; contract with the engineering firm is being finalized but not yet signed.
📍 Downtown Sherborn
💬 Discussed
Board flagged the lack of a formal crosswalk between town hall parking and the 1858 building/UUAC church across the street, and the need for sidewalks on both sides of North Main Street near Lincoln Street — a long-standing community request.
📍 North Main Street at Lincoln Street; town hall area
💬 Discussed
Earmark requests submitted to both Rep. Auchincloss and Sen. Markey to fund improvements at Eliot/Lake Street — the town's highest-accident intersection — which, if awarded, would advance that project well ahead of the broader TIP (still 5+ years from construction funding); decision expected around February.
📍 Eliot Street / Lake Street intersection
💬 Discussed
Planning Board's appointee seat on the Groundwater Protection Committee is up for renewal; Stef Harrison indicated willingness to continue and flagged the Board needs to address this on a future agenda.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 PM, 5-0.
May 5, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Approval of minutes from two prior meetings.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews outcomes from the Annual Town Meeting and identifies follow-up actions on any planning-related votes.
💬 Discussed
Status update on the Meadowbrook Commons development application, including findings from the board's independent peer review of submitted plans.
📍 Meadowbrook Commons, Sherborn
💬 Discussed
Ongoing review of Sherborn's zoning bylaws — changes could affect permitted uses, lot requirements, or development rules town-wide.
💬 Discussed
Update on the Transportation Improvement Project (state-funded road/streetscape program) design work for downtown Sherborn.
📍 Downtown Sherborn
• Status unclear
Board members share updates from inter-board meetings; Town Planner delivers routine report.
April 17, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Meeting opened and agenda approved, 3-0.
✅ Approved
8/19/25 off-street parking approval amended to allow asphalt or concrete for the handicapped parking space at Millborn Farm, approved 3-0.
📍 Millborn Farm, Sherborn
💬 Discussed
Typo in zoning Section 3.3 corrected in the Advisory Report mailing and Town Meeting handout.
💬 Discussed
Mass DOT approved the Town to engage an engineering group for the Downtown Transportation Improvement Project; more details expected at the next Planning Board meeting.
📍 Downtown Sherborn
💬 Discussed
Meadowbrook Commons application expected within a week, likely requiring Site Plan Review, Special Permit for EA Overlay, and a Stormwater Management Permit.
📍 Meadowbrook Commons, Sherborn
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 2:05 PM, 3-0.
April 17, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Board will consider amending Millborn Farm's existing approval to add concrete as a permitted surface material for the required handicapped parking space.
📍 Millborn Farm, Sherborn
• Status unclear
Routine update from the Town Planner on current planning matters.
April 7, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Meeting called to order 7:01 PM; all four members present, 4-0 vote.
✅ Approved
Agenda approved as posted, 4-0.
✅ Approved
March 17 minutes approved without corrections, 4-0.
💬 Discussed
Proposed stormwater bylaw advances to April 28 Town Meeting; advisory hearing drew minimal questions; continued flooding on Lake Street cited as reason not to delay adoption.
📍 Lake Street
💬 Discussed
Consultants found 41 special-permit categories; board is exploring replacing routine business-district approvals with simpler administrative process rather than full special permits.
💬 Discussed
Heidi will distribute model Solar and BESS bylaws for review; board considering consolidating large, medium, and small-scale solar installations into a single bylaw.
💬 Discussed
Complaints that Sherborn's complex permitting is driving businesses to other towns; board to explore streamlining coordination among Planning Board, Board of Health, and Conservation Commission.
💬 Discussed
Framingham is rewriting its trail proposal to link with Sherborn's system, but the required CSX railroad crossing remains unresolved; MAPC call scheduled to explore new approach.
💬 Discussed
Engineering contract signing delayed roughly one year; up to $800,000 in additional funding may expand project scope; FY27 federal earmark request for Lake and Eliott Street intersection submitted to Rep. Auchincloss and Sen. Markey, though approval odds are slim.
💰 $800,000 potential additional funding; FY27 federal earmark request submitted
📍 Lake Street and Eliott Street intersection
💬 Discussed
Proposal to improve existing Shell Oil pipeline trail from Pine Hill to Farm Pond for safe off-road access connecting downtown to recreational areas; Sherborn Forest and Trails group and Town Forest Committee are receptive.
📍 Pine Hill to Farm Pond
April 7, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Chair opens meeting and accepts any items not submitted 48 hours in advance.
📋 Proposed
Review and approve minutes from the 3/17/26 meeting.
📋 Proposed
Coming up April 7: board reviews and discusses items headed to Annual Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Progress update on ongoing review of Sherborn's Zoning Bylaw.
📋 Proposed
Board members and Town Planner share updates from inter-board meetings.
March 21, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Coming up March 21: Planning Board participates in an Advisory Public Hearing; full details listed in the separate Advisory Agenda posting.
📍 19 Washington Street
March 17, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Meeting opened and agenda approved 4-0.
✅ Approved
Minutes from both prior meetings reviewed, amended, and approved 5-0.
💬 Discussed
Select Board unanimously approved both Planning Board ATM articles 5-0; a minor punctuation fix to the affordable-housing language clause will be corrected at the motions meeting since the warrant is already printed.
💬 Discussed
New MA clean energy regulations (covering solar, BESS, wind, anaerobic digestion) take effect July 1 with October 1 compliance deadline — too tight for Sherborn to adopt compliant bylaws before ATM 2027; a costly special fall town meeting is one alternative.
💬 Discussed
Consultant's review focuses on cleaning up and correcting inconsistencies in existing zoning regulations; updated bylaws targeted for spring 2027 ATM, potentially split over multiple years or a special fall town meeting.
💬 Discussed
Jim Guarino reported interest in sponsoring a 12–18-month demolition consultation delay bylaw for buildings over 50 years old or on Sherborn's historic assets list — every neighboring town has one; Planning Board would need to sponsor it.
💬 Discussed
All board requests to town counsel must now route through Town Administrator Jeremy rather than directly to counsel.
💬 Discussed
473 responses received; top priorities were sidewalks, followed by trails and connectivity — results will be published on the town's open space webpage.
💬 Discussed
Sherborn applied to join the Southwest Area Planning Group's regional effort to develop sample solar and battery energy storage bylaws.
💬 Discussed
Sherborn joined the Route 495 belt group of towns for monthly planners' meetings and regional networking.
💬 Discussed
The downtown engineering contract has awaited MassDOT approval for nearly a year, with the state still requesting additional information despite consulting firms being ready to proceed.
📍 downtown Sherborn
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:17 pm; next meeting April 7, 2026 via Zoom.
March 17, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Chair opens meeting; late-added agenda items announced.
📋 Proposed
Review and approve minutes from two prior meetings.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews timeline and warrant articles headed to Annual Town Meeting, which may include zoning or bylaw changes residents can vote on.
📋 Proposed
Board discusses proposed clean energy regulations, likely involving solar, wind, or EV-related zoning or bylaw rules.
📋 Proposed
Ongoing review of Sherborn's zoning bylaws; changes could affect land use, development rights, and property values.
📋 Proposed
Members report on recent meetings with other town boards and entities.
📋 Proposed
Town Planner provides a general update on planning activities.
March 3, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Meeting opened and agenda approved unanimously.
✅ Approved
February 10th minutes approved as submitted; February 24th minutes not yet available.
✅ Approved
Lot at 250 Western Ave split into two parcels (4A and 5A); Lot 4A required a ZBA-approved 3-foot setback variance; board endorsed the ANR unanimously.
📍 250 Western Avenue
✅ Approved
Comprehensive stormwater bylaw overhauled: new minor permit required for land disturbance >20,000 sf or impervious area >10,000 sf or new detached ADUs; major permit for >1 acre disturbance or new/substantially renovated dwelling units; penalties up to $300/violation/day; heads to Annual Town Meeting.
💰 Penalties up to $300 per violation per day
✅ Approved
Screening plan with red maples, redbuds, serviceberries, and red cedars (2-inch caliper) at the farm entrance accepted, fulfilling a prior Planning Board approval condition.
📍 Millborn Farm
💬 Discussed
Board reviewed ATM presentation slides for the stormwater bylaw expansion and a zoning cleanup article deleting an obsolete low/moderate-income ADU category never used.
💬 Discussed
Town Planner attended a MetroWest business development meeting; resources available but limited applicability to Sherborn.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 10:38 PM; next meeting March 17, 2026 via Zoom.
March 3, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Chair may add items not raised 48 hours in advance.
📋 Proposed
Review and approve prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Continued public hearing on proposed changes to stormwater rules and zoning use tables, including living accommodations in nonresidential buildings.
📋 Proposed
ANR (Approval Not Required — a land-split that bypasses full subdivision review) filed for 250 Western Ave.; details not specified in agenda.
📍 250 Western Ave.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews a landscaping/visual screening plan for the Millborn Farm property.
📍 Millborn Farm
📋 Proposed
Planning Board coordinates the ATM schedule and its warrant articles, which may include zoning changes and other measures affecting all residents.
• Status unclear
Board members share updates from interactions with other town boards and entities.
• Status unclear
Town Planner provides a status update.
February 24, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Meeting opened and agenda approved 5-0.
✅ Approved
Special permit approved 5-0 for one shared driveway serving lots 3, 4, and 6R; driveway must be recorded within 60 days, construction completed by 2/24/28, and must be 15' wide with a turnaround per Fire Chief's requirement.
📍 65 Farm Rd, Sherborn
🔄 Postponed
Board debated agricultural exemption language in the stormwater bylaw (referencing 310 CMR 10.04) and approved revised warrant language for miscellaneous zoning updates; hearing continued to March 3 at 7:15 PM.
💬 Discussed
ATM warrant articles discussed during the hearing portion; no additional discussion needed.
💬 Discussed
Frank Hoek is not running again; Chris Browne attended and expressed interest in filling the seat.
💬 Discussed
An ANR (Approval Not Required plan) for 250 Western Avenue will come before the board next week; one parcel has a ZBA variance for a setback issue.
📍 250 Western Ave, Sherborn
💬 Discussed
Renewed interest in a 90-acre parcel at 90 Maple Street, with an informal proposal for a spiritual center with housing under discussion.
📍 90 Maple St, Sherborn
💬 Discussed
First meeting with the zoning bylaw consultant was described as encouraging, with several areas already identified for review.
February 24, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Chair opens meeting; items not anticipated 48 hours in advance may be added.
📋 Proposed
Review and approve minutes from the Feb 10 meeting.
📋 Proposed
Continued hearing on a special permit to allow a shared driveway serving three lots at 65 Farm Rd.
📍 65 Farm Road, Sherborn
📋 Proposed
Continued hearing on amendments to the Stormwater Management bylaw and Zoning Bylaw sections covering Schedule of Uses, Table of Uses, and living accommodations in nonresidential buildings.
📋 Proposed
Planning Board reviews the ATM schedule and discusses warrant articles it will sponsor or act on.
📋 Proposed
Board members share updates from recent inter-board meetings.
📋 Proposed
Town Planner provides a status update on current planning matters.
February 10, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Meeting opened and agenda approved as posted.
✅ Approved
Minutes from both prior meetings were amended for attendance corrections and hearing discussion accuracy, then approved.
💬 Discussed
Town Planner will meet with consultants Thursday for an initial review of the ongoing zoning bylaw update.
💬 Discussed
Planning Board must finalize warrant article language for the Select Board by February 12 and present to the Advisory Board on March 21, 2026.
🔄 Postponed
Warrant articles for updated stormwater/land-disturbance rules (adding no-permit, minor-permit, and major-permit tiers) and zoning consistency fixes were conditionally approved 5-0; hearing continued to February 24 at 7:30 PM for finalized language.
✅ Approved
Draft Planning Board annual report accepted with minor clarity edits, 5-0.
💬 Discussed
Town Planner flagged potential upcoming ANR (lot-line approval) applications and confirmed all common driveways serving more than two homes predate the 1996 bylaw; newer multi-property drives are subdivision roadways.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM; next meeting February 24, 2026 via Zoom.
February 10, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Chair opens meeting and accepts any late-added items.
📋 Proposed
Review and approve minutes from the two prior meetings.
📋 Proposed
Public hearing on proposed changes to General Bylaws Ch. 200 (Stormwater) and Zoning Bylaws Ch. 240 — Schedule of Uses, Table of Uses, and Living Accommodations in Nonresidential Buildings.
💬 Discussed
Board receives a status update on the ongoing comprehensive Zoning Bylaw review.
📋 Proposed
Board discusses the ATM schedule and finalizes warrant article wording for proposed bylaw changes voters will decide on.
📋 Proposed
Board addresses its contribution to the Annual Town Report.
• Status unclear
Reports on inter-board meetings and a Town Planner update.
February 3, 2026 · minutes
✅ Approved
Meeting opened and agenda approved, 5-0.
✅ Approved
Board endorsed the Approval Not Required (ANR) plan splitting lots at 65 Farm Rd.; Town Counsel confirmed access to all lots is not illusory.
📍 65 Farm Rd., Sherborn
🔄 Postponed
Hearing opened on a shared driveway special permit; amended plan extends driveway beyond 500 ft., triggering the permit requirement; abutters raised stormwater and wetlands concerns; hearing continued to Feb. 24.
📍 65 Farm Rd., Sherborn
💬 Discussed
Public hearing on draft stormwater management bylaw language is scheduled for the following week, with finalized language targeted by March 3 for the Advisory Committee.
💬 Discussed
Board agreed to include removal of the obsolete low- and moderate-income apartments bylaw section in the general housekeeping article, noting the ADU bylaw now covers affordable housing mechanisms.
💬 Discussed
No additional warrant articles identified for consideration.
💬 Discussed
Contract with zoning consultants is signed and the comprehensive page-by-page bylaw review is officially underway, with regular Planning Board updates planned.
💬 Discussed
All warrant and bylaw submissions remain on schedule for established ATM deadlines.
💬 Discussed
MWRTA deployed new LNG and electric buses on high-volume routes; fare elimination has significantly reduced assaults on operators.
💬 Discussed
Commission is modernizing design guidelines for Sherborn Center Historic District, updating rules on substitute materials for wood and fence regulations.
📍 Sherborn Center Historic District
💬 Discussed
Hazard Mitigation Plan is being finalized; Open Space Plan survey drew 470 responses and ~150 comments; results to be presented when compiled; a potential ANR for town-owned parcels may come before the Board.
✅ Approved
Meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM, 4-0 (one member urgently departed at 8:35).
February 3, 2026 · agenda
• Status unclear
Chair opens meeting and accepts any items not submitted 48 hours in advance.
📍 19 Washington Street (virtual)
📋 Proposed
Review and approve prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Public hearing on a special permit to allow a shared driveway serving multiple lots at 65 Farm Rd.
📍 65 Farm Rd
📋 Proposed
Approval Not Required (ANR) plan review for lot division or boundary change at 65 Farm Rd — no subdivision process needed if it meets frontage rules.
📍 65 Farm Rd
📋 Proposed
Board continues drafting warrant article language for a new Stormwater Management Plan bylaw ahead of Annual Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Potential warrant language for routine zoning bylaw cleanup items to be voted at Annual Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Board considers any additional zoning articles for the Annual Town Meeting warrant.
📋 Proposed
Status update on the ongoing comprehensive Zoning Bylaw review.
📋 Proposed
Board reviews the schedule and deadlines for preparing articles for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Reports from liaisons to other boards and a Town Planner update.
January 20, 2026 · agenda
📋 Proposed
Routine approval of prior meeting minutes.
📋 Proposed
Board continues drafting bylaw language on stormwater management for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant.
📋 Proposed
Potential housekeeping (clean-up/technical corrections) warrant language to be reviewed for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting.
📋 Proposed
Board considers additional items for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant; specifics not detailed in agenda.
💬 Discussed
Board receives an update on the ongoing comprehensive zoning bylaw review.
📋 Proposed
Board discusses how to communicate Annual Town Meeting proposals to residents.
📋 Proposed
Board addresses an appointment related to a land acquisition matter; details not specified.
💬 Discussed
Board reviews updates on state energy and housing legislation that may affect local planning.
📋 Proposed
Routine inter-board reports and Town Planner update.