Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Planning board reviews three zoning scenarios for 600‑acre Hubbardston sandpit site
Summary
Consultants presented three scenarios — conservation‑focused, employment‑focused and a hybrid — for the former sandpit site; the board expressed broad support for a balanced hybrid (scenario C) and asked consultants for follow‑up options and comparables.
Consultants from Niche Engineering presented three zoning scenarios for roughly 600 acres of former sandpit and gravel land in Hubbardston, and the Planning Board directed the consultants to return with tighter, illustrated options and town comparables.
The presentation and public outreach summary, given by Allison Evans of Niche Engineering, identified major constraints — wetlands, vernal pools, a wellhead protection area and parcels protected by Article 97 — and offered three character‑area approaches: (A) an enhanced residential‑agriculture/conservation approach, (B) an employment‑focused approach, and (C) a blended plan that concentrates village‑style development near Gardner Road while protecting large portions of the site.
The hybrid scenario drew the most support in the Planning Board discussion. Board members and staff said they prefer a balanced approach that preserves the site's environmental resources while allowing limited, appropriately scaled commercial and housing options near existing access…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
