[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6051264,"mediaKeyId","3455795-e0586666e13baf04d13b948d02c4b704","parentId",3455795,"title","Planning Board approves revised wording to combined-business zoning amendment; will include explanation in briefing book","audioSeconds",335,"startMs",271000,"endMs",606000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3455795-e0586666e13baf04d13b948d02c4b704&start=271&end=606","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3455795-e0586666e13baf04d13b948d02c4b704/thumbnail_271000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6051264/Massachusetts/Planning-Board-approves-revised-wording-to-combined-business-zoning-amendment-will-include-explanation-in-briefing-book","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6051264-5133fdad30c074f09881dd94b3b7e4de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636102&Signature=fBXyTRJ-sEUunh9Wvq5C8dMgtgykFqfSQXQBSmlZfmISQKWo442Tm~dzppgC-MDb9Af65ESvudspk20zLJxF~~w7oeTo9pWP-aRcQQA-UlnB5EPt1VDyVUMuy4C6ZV83urwBENLbxY493OwkVuSomhBo-qSQP5VhUccyPR1jrVDTCtHZujDKJwCfYJ3GCP4k64-KdlBkAXqLPS4yZu9E1eLDlOUkD6oOKFtlnJlKVmdt5XJsbk5YVMWMy-2pkh2iNk7DLXaVUWi~cKw4JMDCepI1aQWIsrzlvzZPaVdPt1ckbvPAlEnXcAOZgCt2QLb3b36HEA8j8QNVP8zmEiUCgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Concord, MA","date","2025-05-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Town of Concord Planning Board on May 6 approved a revised motion for Article 37, a 2025 ATM warrant article addressing combined business zoning and related parking requirements, instructing staff to include an explanation in the briefing book.

The board voted to revise the proposed motion language to expand the term \"use\" to \"use or tenant\" (and similarly \"new uses or tenants\") so the amendment covers changes when a new tenant occupies a permitted use. The chair confirmed the revised motion and additional explanatory text will be printed in the briefing book before Town Meeting.

Board members discussed the proposal's aims: to reduce impervious cover, allow economic vitality through reduced parking constraints and rely on transportation analysis to justify reductions. One member said a transportation analysis would be central and the presentation will demonstrate how reductions could work and be reversed if they do not function as expected.

Members also noted the town is instituting a stormwater fund based on impervious area; a commenter urged that the planning board's approach be consistent with the townwide stormwater policy so property owners are not charged for impervious area the town requires. The board agreed the stormwater fund should be part of the presentation to explain how impervious-area charges relate to zoning changes.

The revised motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; members recorded \"Aye.\" The board directed staff to include the revised motion and an explanation in the briefing book and to present an updated slide package at the next meeting in advance of Town Meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Concord: Planning Board May 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Planning Board voted May 6 to move forward with a revised motion on Article 37 that adds the word \"tenant\" to change-of-use language for combined business zoning and to include an explanatory note in the briefing book; board members also discussed stormwater-fund implications and transportation analysis requirements.","taxTitle","Town of Concord, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",68746,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6051269,"Planning Board defers recommendation on commercial-parking changes after robust downtown parking debate",1700,2402000,4102000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3455795-e0586666e13baf04d13b948d02c4b704&start=2402&end=4102","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3455795-e0586666e13baf04d13b948d02c4b704/thumbnail_2402000.jpg","/articles/6051269/Massachusetts/Planning-Board-defers-recommendation-on-commercial-parking-changes-after-robust-downtown-parking-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6051269-f05495dde420cd1e29f5c13a02e59cf7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636102&Signature=I6zhKR26ybEGMnnhNDOObu~ek9DoDvI3hxGptLA41bRIUys6DzybKZK5Yr9G2RIMR2EfRQ7GXk8Ax5pOxMVK3F43NFwDrg20b5to-7T8HZYdawLAeF9Pdld-NMXufc9DSMeqewOLh-ZdA8HZSgrFJlwW-iQO2mtMR3lcD3ebZpomz5LodJEQiz6T84c16irBCla4JzTt9zJsDj4mIaaO2d~jN8OS8adizQjXr~breArctF27mhRkNqhnFptkCr93DgaU0SEa4ph86-UFtdeIhdMmeATiERLRccdeKIvpuuvZSq4bwCOZP0KjWiPUymNZKDsahAEaiZmAOURm7cbZxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Concord Planning Board deferred its recommendation May 6 on Article 44, a warrant article proposing amendments to commercial parking rules that would limit additional off-street parking requirements when a permitted business use changes to another permitted business use without increasing square footage.

The Economic Vitality Committee proposed amending footnote 1 to table 4 (minimum parking) so it would read: \"In commercial districts, a change in use from one permitted business use to another permitted business use that does not increase the square footage of the use or commercial space shall not be required to provide additional parking.\" The EVC also proposed striking a separate subsection that had explicitly exempted conversion to combined business-residence uses.

Supporters said the change could make under-parked downtown buildings easier to re-activate and broaden the range of businesses that can operate in compact, walkable locations. \"If someone wants to use those existing buildings as they stand now with no parking and really wants to make a go of it, good luck,\" one board member said, noting the financial and operational barriers small businesses face.

Opponents warned that permitting uses such as bookstores to convert to restaurants without additional parking could increase demand, strain town lots and affect neighboring businesses. A board member summarized the trade-off: \"We're asking the town, are we willing to put up with some parking irritation to have a full downtown?\" The board discussed enforcement options, public parking policy and whether the Select Board should address on-street parking.

After extended discussion, the board voted to defer its written recommendation and to revisit the article at a future meeting before finalizing a recommendation for the briefing book or Town Meeting. Members emphasized the article's trade-offs and said they wanted to provide an explanatory recommendation if they ultimately endorse or oppose the motion.

The Planning Division said it would consult Town Counsel about wording options for a deferral or a \"no position\" framing and work with the EVC and petitioners to clarify the motion that will appear in the briefing book.","The board deferred a recommendation on Article 44, which would change parking requirements for changes of permitted business uses in commercial districts, after members and the public expressed both support for downtown vibrancy and concern about increased parking demand.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6051275,"Planning Board urges no action on citizen petition to loosen wireless overlay rules",756,769000,1525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3455795-e0586666e13baf04d13b948d02c4b704&start=769&end=1525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3455795-e0586666e13baf04d13b948d02c4b704/thumbnail_769000.jpg","/articles/6051275/Massachusetts/Planning-Board-urges-no-action-on-citizen-petition-to-loosen-wireless-overlay-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6051275-cedbcb4dcb3ba1f4d19aefe5f1f2c178/orig.mp4?Expires=1770636102&Signature=Ob0aL3gOXHkj1LYDLw2EMfe2vFOuQGUyD4YZeFjBivKi5gE7IQksIlgkTN9q1ZWe9IpeL3y6IWax7Mz95KS0AhwqUS5~U-GM3LXUHYfLYM1UKbtzMgDkCE8tSRdivzhbenI3iTUSJIehiVAJ2UB~Z1nzlLE2K2VXG5m0FikOnOpIEN2Y~xFpWZ2mDE8H-e8eHahi50ZPsDQ0gfxe1VfKfLfpE4nOqjt2x8TRMRE2Nl2GoI7zDbF3IFyii44~HSlh6sHTXThINCeJQT-lpM3DEr9N9zbM-7DfPiEI1EbFkSMw-VRROTBChbyPoGIsD-c0L-NTPSaNUrpdiuKqmflbiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Concord Planning Board voted May 6 to recommend that Town Meeting take no action on a citizen petition that would amend the town's wireless-overlay bylaw to make it easier to site cell facilities outside the current overlay.

The recommendation follows lengthy testimony from petitioner Henry Dane, who said the change is needed to address persistent cellphone gaps in Concord's center. \"When people walk out of the Colonial Inn and want to know how to get to the Old North Bridge, they take out their cell phone, they get no signal,\" Dane told the board, urging a short-term fix while the board undertakes a comprehensive rewrite next year.

Board members debated removing a current requirement that applicants produce a professional gap-in-coverage study. Supporters said the study requirement raises cost and complexity and can deter applicants. Opponents said eliminating the study reduces objective evidence for siting decisions and shifts discretion to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Planning Board members also referenced a Select Board directive that the Planning Board perform a full overhaul of the wireless bylaw in 2026.

Dane told the board the petition would permit the Zoning Board of Appeals to consider applications outside the 2019 map without requiring a professional coverage study, and argued urgency because temporary towers had demonstrably improved service in the town center. \"The minute they took that away about a week ago, it went from decent coverage to lousy,\" he said, describing a temporary tower behind Middlesex Savings Bank.

Several board members said they shared the goal of improving service but were not convinced the narrow amendment was the right procedural step. Members asked how long professional studies take, how much they cost and whether the study requirement has in practice been a barrier. The board noted the petition would remove a specific procedural hurdle but not other special-permit criteria, and some members said a short-term fix might not be worth forgoing a more robust, town-led review.

After discussion the board approved a motion to recommend that Town Meeting take no action on Article 41, with the board citing its commitment to a comprehensive review of the wireless bylaw and a desire to study the issue with town counsel before changing procedures. The motion passed on a voice vote; members recorded \"Aye.\"","At its May 6 meeting the Town of Concord Planning Board voted to recommend no action on a citizen petition that would ease siting rules for wireless facilities, citing a planned comprehensive review of the wireless bylaw and concerns about removing a professional coverage study requirement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Planning Board approves revised wording to combined-business zoning amendment; will include explanation in briefing book

Planning Board defers recommendation on commercial-parking changes after robust downtown parking debate

Planning Board urges no action on citizen petition to loosen wireless overlay rules