Brockton City Planning Board members voted on a zoning amendment and a string of site-plan actions at a meeting where developers and neighbors spoke on several projects.

The board voted to recommend favorably to the City Council an amendment to the fairground zoning overlay that, according to the presenter, removes a requirement that would force a high share of parking to be provided below grade. Planning-board members also approved multiple site-plan modifications, authorized release of surety for two lots in a subdivision, and granted approvals for an accessory dwelling unit and a hotel expansion. Public comment on one site plan centered on stormwater, parking and green-space calculations.

Why it matters: Planning-board approval and a favorable recommendation to the City Council affect whether developers must include costly underground or structured parking in new projects near the fairgrounds. The change could influence project economics and the pace of housing and commercial development downtown. The other votes clear the way for several private developments to move to building-permit reviews and for the city to release a security instrument in one subdivision.

Fairgrounds overlay amendment
Jim Burke presented the request to change language in the fairground overlay zoning amendment. Burke said the version approved earlier included a provision that effectively required developers to locate a large share of required parking below grade — he described the prior formulation as capping surface parking in a way that would have forced developers into garages or structured parking and made projects uneconomic. “They will not, develop because of the increased expense,” Burke said, summarizing feedback from several potential developers. Burke told the board that the ordinance committee voted to remove that language and instead to maintain a stated minimum of 1.5 parking spaces per residential unit while adjusting the surface-parking language; he said the proposal is scheduled to go to City Council for a vote on the 27th.

Board members asked whether taller buildings could still provide below‑grade or podium parking on a project‑by‑project basis; Attorney Brook and Burke replied that individual site-plan reviews would address how parking is configured for each project. No members of the public spoke on the overlay amendment.

Site plans and modifications approved
- Dakota Partners (modification): Mark Platt of Dakota Partners described a modification to a previously approved project that would convert 27 units originally intended for for-sale, first‑time‑buyer condos into income‑restricted rental units after the state program was unable to fund the for‑sale component. Platt described changes to unit layouts and an amended AMI mix; he said the developer now plans to request affordable‑housing funding through the state program. Councilor Jeff Thompson (Ward 5) spoke in support of the amended project, saying it will replace an aging building and add downtown housing. The board granted the modification.

- Teen Challenge (site-plan modification, 1305 Main Street): Scott Faria of Homegrown Engineering and attorney John McCluskey presented revisions to a previously approved site plan. Faria said a previously planned drainage easement on a neighboring property (30 Clifton Ave) is no longer needed because the applicant removed part of a block wall that had been obstructing pre‑construction flow; the change eliminated the need for the easement and resulted in minor landscaping adjustments. Multiple public commenters raised concerns about whether all parcels and prior conditions had been reviewed; the board approved the modification subject to a stipulation that the development be in compliance with all city departments.

- Accessory dwelling unit (66 Oakdale Street): The planning board approved an ADU for a 16,800‑square‑foot lot. The proposed ADU is a single‑story, ~900‑square‑foot unit with two bedrooms and two bathrooms; the applicants said it will be used by family members, not rented. The board approved the plan with standard conditions.

- Hotel addition (50 Christies Drive): Scott Faria described a proposed 40‑room addition to an existing 63‑room hotel; the plan includes 40 additional parking spaces and landscaping changes. Faria said the site has an over‑designed drainage system intended to serve a future development and that the project has received a conservation commission order of conditions. The board approved the site plan with standard conditions.

Release of surety (Mia Meadows / Deby Road / North Quincy Street)
Evan (planning staff) said the developer requested release of surety for the last two lots while replacing the surety with a cash bond; staff reported they had received the required information and had no objections. The board voted to grant the release pending the cash bond.

Public comment and technical concerns
Public commenters focused most intensively on the Teen Challenge site-plan modification. Veronica (identified in the record as a resident) raised questions about omitted parcels, stormwater changes after a wall was removed, discrepancies in green‑space calculations and parking‑space placement near a garage door. Counselors and other residents urged the board to ensure any outstanding technical and zoning questions are addressed before final sign‑off; the board majority framed some issues raised as outside the immediate modification before them and as matters for other city departments or prior approvals.

What’s next
- The fairgrounds overlay amendment will go to City Council (presenter noted a council date on the 27th).
- Approved site plans and the surety release proceed to the city’s administrative steps required for building permits and bond processing; the Teen Challenge modification was approved with the condition that the development be in compliance with all city departments.

Votes at a glance
- Release of surety (Mia Meadows / Deby Road / North Quincy Street): Motion to grant; outcome: granted (roll call recorded as Yes from Marty; Philando; James; Matt; Tony).
- Fairground Zoning Overlay amendment (recommendation to City Council): Motion to recommend favorably; outcome: recommended favorably (roll call recorded as Yes from Marty; Yolando; James; Matthew; Monique; Tony).
- Dakota Partners site-plan modification (change 27 for‑sale units to affordable rental mix): Motion to grant; outcome: granted (roll call recorded as Yes from Marty; Yolando; James; Matt; Monique).
- Teen Challenge site-plan modification (1305 Main Street): Motion to grant with stipulation that the development be in compliance with all city departments; outcome: granted (roll call recorded as Yes from Marty; Philando; James; Matt; Tony).
- ADU (66 Oakdale Street): Motion to approve with standard conditions; outcome: approved (roll call recorded as Yes from Marty; Rolando; Matt; James; Tony).
- Site plan (50 Christies Drive, hotel addition): Motion to approve with standard conditions; outcome: approved (roll call recorded as Yes from Marty; Yolando; Matt; James; Tony).

Ending: Board members made closing administrative notes about signatures needed to finalize approvals. Several public commenters indicated they would pursue outstanding concerns with the building department and conservation commission; board members noted those departments remain responsible for enforcement of technical and zoning conditions.