Pepperell Planning Board Approves Duplex and Two Accessory Dwelling Units at Mill Street

PEPPERELL -- May 18, 2026, Pepperell Planning Board unanimously approves two-family home and two accessory dwelling units on a fire-damaged Mill Street lot. The four-member board voted 4-0 Monday on both PBSP-26-1, a special permit for the two-family dwelling at 45-47 Mill Street, and PBSP-26-2, a special permit for a second 900-square-foot accessory dwelling unit, with conditions requiring DEP and Conservation Commission approval before construction proceeds. Applicant Joe Mercado of 3 Mason Street presented the project without his engineer; Conservation Commission representative Paul told the board the commission would review the five-acre riverfront parcel at its June 2 meeting. The board engaged in extended debate over whether the state ADU law's size cap, 900 square feet or 50 percent of the primary dwelling, whichever is smaller, applies to each half of the duplex individually or to the total building, ultimately following the town zoning officer's interpretation that the full duplex square footage governs. The board also voted unanimously to extend three NextGrid permits for the Bemis Road solar facility to August 19, 2027, and re-appointed Joan as the town's NMCOG representative.