Pepperell Planning Board Approves FITS Collaborative Permit, Rejects Rate-of-Development Bylaw

PEPPERELL — June 20, 2023 — Pepperell Planning Board votes 4-0 against recommending a citizen-backed rate-of-development bylaw at town meeting. The board, meeting June 20, closed months of public hearings on a citizens' petition signed by 19 residents that would have capped new dwelling unit permits at 10 per year, with no more than two going to any single applicant. Town Administrator Andrew McClain delivered a prepared statement arguing that Pepperell's population has grown just 23 percent since 1988 while the school-age population has declined 25 percent, and that tax increases are driven by inflation and expanded services, not residential growth. DPW Business Manager Paul Brinkman submitted written comments stating the town's water and sewer systems face no capacity constraints and that additional users would help moderate fixed operating costs. Acting Chair David noted the town's annual single-family build rate has fallen to roughly 14 units per year over the past decade — far below the proposed cap — and that the Attorney General had struck down a comparable Dunstable bylaw for failing to demonstrate good faith toward development. The board also unanimously approved a special permit for a two-family home at 98 Park Street and granted the FITS Collaborative's adaptive reuse special permit for the former Old High School at 45 Main Street, the first application under Pepperell's two-year-old adaptive reuse bylaw.