Board votes to tighten solar permit rules

Planning Board · Meeting of September 14, 2026

WESTFORD — The Westford Planning Board advanced zoning changes for solar and battery storage ahead of fall Special Town Meeting. Staff member Jeff and NMCOG Deputy Director Kelly Landima presented revised use tables recommending special permits for large ground-mounted solar in four districts and for battery storage in the town's Zone 2 water protection area, warning that overly restrictive rules "is not consistent with the state mandate." The board unanimously approved a generator screening change at 2 Depot Street and endorsed a construction covenant for a 35 West Prescott Street subdivision, though it withheld signing the plan over unresolved parcel-labeling errors. The meeting's longest fight centered on Kinloch Drive, where abutter John Conway said tree clearing and road grading blocked backyard access for his wheelchair-using mother: "It's our property.

I can no longer access it." Board member Mike proposed a $2,500 fine, later shifted toward a landscaping buffer agreement; no vote was taken, and the matter continues to October 5.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 3,543 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of September 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.