Planning Board delays Hobbs Road group home to Dec. 16

In this report: Key decisions · Next dates · Full report · Sources

What happened

The board voted 5-0 to continue the public hearing on a supportive living residence at 1 Hobbs Road to Dec. 16, requiring additional analysis of sight distance at the driveway and changes to the nonprofit lease. The board also voted 5-0 to authorize the town planner to obtain stormwater and traffic peer reviews for a childcare application at 200 Commonwealth Road. The board continued a hearing on 8 Parkridge Road to Nov. 4 and delegated approval authority to the town planner for the Council on Aging as-built plan.

Key decisions

• 📋 Supportive living residence continued hearing. The board voted 5-0 to continue the public hearing to Dec. 16 at 7:15 p.m., with materials due Dec. 9. The board requires a sight distance analysis based on recorded vehicle speeds during peak periods and school hours, modifications to the lease to require that any assignee be a nonprofit educational corporation and address compliance with bylaws and alterations, and determination of the tree removal decision at a Nov. 4 tree hearing. The decision deadline was extended to Jan. 13, 2027. (Vote 5-0; Next: Dec. 16, 7:15 p.m.). Read case details
• 📋 Nonconforming structure hearing continued. The board voted 5-0 to continue the hearing to Nov. 4 at 8:15 p.m. The applicant is examining whether recent amendments to the state zoning statute affecting nonconforming structures could support the application instead of relying on the Section 16 process. (Vote 5-0; Next: Nov. 4, 8:15 p.m.). Read case details
• 📋 As-built plan final approval delegated. The board voted 5-0 to delegate to the town planner authority to review and approve the final as-built plan once labeling corrections are made, including addition of fence post labels, utility equipment labels, EV charger labels and legend entries, and correction of the plan date. The temporary certificate of occupancy expires at the end of October. (Vote 5-0). Read case details
• 👤 Anita Flurry promoted to project manager. Anita Flurry was promoted to project manager of planning and zoning, expanding her role beyond administrative work. She will continue reporting jointly to the town planner and the building side, with a longer-term plan to relocate the planner's office near building, health and conservation once budget allows. Read case details
• 👤 Tom Zupper appointed building commissioner. Tom Zupper was appointed building commissioner, replacing the prior holder of the role who is returning to local building inspector ahead of a planned spring retirement. Zupper previously served as building commissioner in Gardner. Read case details

Next dates

• Nov. 4: Tree hearing, Parkridge Road hearing
• Dec. 16: Hobbs Road supportive living hearing 7:15 p.m.
• Jan. 13: Decision deadline Hobbs Road

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Full meeting report

The complete, section-by-section account of the meeting, 3,943 words, for members.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.