The Danvers Planning Board voted Oct. 28 to continue two separate site-plan public hearings and discussed whether to set clearer limits on how long applicants can postpone hearings without substantive updates.

The board granted a continuance for a Raising Cane’s site-plan review at 200 Endicott Street to the board’s next meeting on Nov. 12, 2025. The motion to continue was made by Jean Hartnett and seconded by Mike DeCoulis; the board voted unanimously to continue the hearing.

Separately, the board continued the application from MJP Properties Inc. and Johnson Construction Management LLC for redevelopment at 83 Elm Street and 5 Essex Street to Jan. 13, 2026. Jean Hartnett moved to continue; Mike DeCoulis seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Board discussion

Members and staff used the two continuance requests as a prompt to debate whether applicants should be required to provide interim updates or face stricter limits on continuances. Josh Morris, town planning staff, said the board could request that applicants provide status updates and that staff would communicate the board’s concerns to the development team.

Board members asked about the special-permit timeframe and procedural safeguards. Morris confirmed that the special-permit decision had been filed within the 90-day window after the close of the public hearing and that the special permit carries a three-year duration during which rights must be exercised.

Member Jim Sears moved to reconsider the continuance vote and require the applicant to appear at the next meeting to explain a further continuance; his motion did not receive a second. The motion to reconsider therefore did not proceed.

Several members said they were concerned about setting a precedent of granting lengthy continuances without updates. The board agreed that, while individual circumstances vary, it would be appropriate for staff to request written updates and for the board to consider establishing clearer expectations about when additional continuances will be granted.

Ending

The board asked staff to contact the applicants and request updates in advance of the continuance dates. The two continuances stand as approved: 200 Endicott Street to Nov. 12, 2025; and 83 Elm Street and 5 Essex Street to Jan. 13, 2026.