Pepperell Planning Board Continues Mill Street Hearing, Rejects Growth-Cap Bylaw

PEPPERELL — July 17, 2023 — Pepperell Planning Board unanimously rejects proposed citizen bylaw capping new home construction at 10 units per year. The board, meeting July 17 by remote video, voted unanimously against recommending the citizen-initiated rate of development bylaw to town meeting, finding that single-family building permits have averaged just 14 per year over the past decade and that Pepperell's population grew only 0.9 percent in the most recent census decade — far below the 6.9 percent growth UMass had projected. Acting Chair David Ganong, reading the board's written decision, stated the board found "passage of a rate of development bylaw would be detrimental to the town" and that the proponents "failed to provide any information that established a specific need." In the same session, the board continued a public hearing on a proposed 41,360-square-foot research and development facility at 23 Mill Street — where Green 1A Investments LLC plans to film automotive repair videos and relocate its corporate headquarters — to August 7, scheduling a site walk for July 31. The board also unanimously approved a minor site plan review allowing a kitchen and bath showroom to open at 146 Main Street, and released lots 1 through 8 in the Robinson Hollow subdivision from covenant restrictions.