Pepperell Planning Board adopts overlay district approach for Peter Fitz property rezoning

PEPPERELL — February 16, 2021 — Pepperell Planning Board reaches consensus on overlay district strategy for Peter Fitz property. At the February 16 meeting, the board agreed to pursue an overlay district rather than piecemeal table-of-uses changes for the Peter Fitz property, following advice from Beverly Woods of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, who warned that lot-size-based changes "could be challenged if it looks discriminatory." Member Chuck, who sits on the NEMCOG board, will follow up with Woods on whether the next NEMCOG funding cycle — opening in April — could support a fall town meeting article. The board also voted unanimously to approve eight master plan recommendation reassignments and one edit, with an added modification shifting a bike-share and bike-rack initiative to EDAC and the Recreation Commission after members concluded a bike-share program is not feasible in Pepperell. Town Planner Lisa clarified mid-meeting that two previously awarded DLTA grants — one for 40 hours and one for 50 hours of NEMCOG consultant time — cover the open-space residential development bylaw revision and design standards work, removing the need for separate budget appropriations. The board also announced a March 8 public hearing on marijuana bylaw changes triggered by a citizens petition, with a special town meeting set for March 13.