Planning Board

Town Offices are Closed



In order to help protect our Town employees and the community, the Town is only operating essential services until further notice and all municipal buildings are closed to the public.  Public Safety, public works, public health services and application filings are not impacted by this limited closure.   If you are looking for information or have a question related to board/committee or department operations, please don’t leave a voice message, but email the Planning Division or visit the Town’s website at www.concordma.gov.  Planning Board applications will be accepted via a Drop Box outside the front door of the Department of Planning and Land Management building at 141 Keyes Road.  Please note that roll plans are not able to be accepted at this time and should be submitted via a flash drive or USB drive.  Please place drive in an envelope with the address or project clearly noted. Application materials smaller than 10MB may be emailed to the Planning Division.  For information on COVID-19 and the Town’s response, please visit www.concordma.gov/coronavirus2019  We encourage you to sign up for News and Notices for emailed information or follow the Town on social media – instructions are on the homepage.

Meetings


  • 7 p.m., *unless otherwise noted.
  • See meeting schedule 

Agendas & Minutes


Agendas are available prior to the meetings and are typically posted on Fridays before a scheduled meeting. Minutes are available following approval. View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Meeting Schedule

Day Location
 2021 Meetings in 2021 may be virtual online meetings or in person at 141 Keyes Road or another location.  Please see the posted agenda for detailed information and for instructions for how to participate by video or phone if it is a virtual meeting.
January 7, 2021 *9:30 a.m.
Approval Not Required Plan #20-16
48Y Fitchburg Turnpike		 See agenda
January 12, 2021
Potential Items:
Green Zoning Discussion-Gary Kleiman & Kate Hanley
2021 ATM Draft ZBL Amendments		 See agenda
January 26, 2021
​Potential Items: 2021 ATM Draft ZBL Amendments
 See agenda
February 9, 2021
​Potential Items: Thoreau Depot Redevelopment Discussion (No MAPC); 2021 ATM Draft ZBL Amendments
 See agenda
February 23, 2021
48Y Fitchburg Turnpike Definitive Subdivision (To be continued to March 23)
2021 ATM Draft ZBL Amendments
NMI-Starmet Draft Report
Rename portion of Keuka Rd		 See agenda
March 9, 2021
​Potential Items: 2021 ATM Final Draft ZBL Amend.
 See agenda
March 23, 2021 See agenda 
April 13, 2021 See agenda
April 27, 2021 See agenda 
May 13, 2021 Planning Board Public Hearing on Zoning Bylaw Amendment Warrant Articles. See agenda
May 25, 2021
​Potential Items: Election of Officers
 See agenda 
June 8, 2021
 See agenda 
June 22, 2021 See agenda 

Planning Board Members

Member   Term Expires
Kristen Ferguson Chair May 31, 2022
Burton Flint Vice-chair May 31, 2022
Nathan Bosdet Clerk May 31, 2023
Allen Sayegh   May 31, 2021
Kate McEneaney   May 31, 2024
Haley Orvedal   May 31, 2024
Linda Miller   April 30, 2025

Planning Board Charge


The Planning Board consists of 7 members, appointed for 5-year, staggered terms by the Selectmen. By reason of Chapter 40A, all decisions as special permit granting authority shall require a two-thirds vote.

It shall be the duty of the Planning Board to investigate all petitions calling for a variation, modification, change, or extension of use under the Zoning Bylaw and to report its recommendations thereon to the Board of Appeals.

It shall be the duty of the Planning Board to conduct investigations respecting proposed amendments to the Zoning Bylaw appearing in the Warrant for any Town Meeting, and to present its recommendations to the Town for consideration at such Town Meeting. The Select Board shall cause the Planning Board to be notified of all such proposed amendments.

Subdivision Rules and Regulations set forth the Planning Board's procedures and standards to be followed in the subdivision of land and the construction of ways. The Concord Planning Board is authorized under the General Laws of Massachusetts to regulate the laying out and construction of ways in subdivisions to insure the safety, convenience and welfare of present and future inhabitants of Concord. The Board shall exercise its authority with due regard for the provision of adequate access to all of the lots in a subdivision by ways that will be safe and convenient for travel; for lessening congestion in such ways and in the adjacent public ways; for reducing danger to life and limb in the operation of motor vehicles; for securing safety in the case of fire, flood, panic and other emergencies; for insuring compliance with applicable provisions of the Concord Zoning Bylaw and the Wetlands Protection Act; for securing adequate provision for water, sewerage, drainage, underground utility service, police and fire protection and other requirements where necessary in a subdivision; for coordinating the ways in a subdivision with each other and with the public ways in neighboring subdivisions; and for preserving the special historical and rural character of Concord.

Resources

  1. Planning Board Fee Schedule (PDF)
  2. Planning Board Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
  3. Planning Board Procedures for Employment of Outside Consultants (PDF)
  4. Subdivision Rules Regulations 2007 (PDF)
  5. The Impacts of State Land Use Laws on Concord (PDF)
  6. West Concord Design Guidelines (PDF)
  7. Tree Preservation Bylaw Rules & Regulations 1-9-18
  8. Tree Preservation Bylaw 2017 (PDF)