Pepperell Planning Board Unanimously Approves 149 Nashua Road Commercial Development Permits

PEPPERELL — February 20, 2024 — Pepperell Planning Board unanimously approved a major commercial site plan and land disturbance permits for a phased development at 149-163 Nashua Road on February 20. The 3-0 vote, covering record numbers MAJ-23-2 and LDP-23-2 filed by Serenka Development Partners, came after months of review and a final round of edits to the draft decision prepared by Town Planner Andrew Ganong and interim planning consultant Eve Tapper. Key conditions include a $100,000 surety bond for potential road damage from construction vehicles and a phased traffic-analysis trigger requiring real-world traffic counts after phase one is occupied before any mitigation can be assessed — a compromise after the applicant resisted up-front mitigation payments. A new phasing plan condition, tied to building permit issuance, requires the developer to document stormwater, fire access, and site stabilization arrangements with DPW and Conservation before breaking ground. In a separate update, Town Administrator liaison Ganong reported the town collects roughly $120,000 to $130,000 annually in cannabis sales tax from two operating dispensaries, and said the town will revise its host community agreements to drop impact fees that lack documented justification under new state Cannabis Control Commission guidance.