ZBA close on 250 Turnpike 40B; conservation conditions likely to be included in draft decision

Town staff updated the Conservation Commission that the Zoning Board of Appeals closed the public hearing for the 250 Turnpike Road 40B application on April 15 and is scheduled to deliberate and possibly vote at the ZBA’s May 6 meeting. The commission was told the ZBA’s draft decision is currently with town counsel and the filing deadline is May 25 unless the applicant agrees to extend it.

Staff said the applicant appeared willing to accept numerous conditions raised by the commission and peer reviewers, including an invasive species management plan, buffer‑zone mitigation plantings with accurate scaling, wildlife fencing and additional habitat mitigation measures (nest boxes and coarse woody debris). Staff also reported the applicant agreed to reinstate a protective grate in a wildlife tunnel and to consider permanent demarcation of the 20‑foot buffer limit of work.

Commissioners emphasized that many of these items will be included as conditions if the ZBA approves the project, and thanked staff and peer reviewers for coordinated comments. Staff said civil and stormwater details still need final tweaks before a possible approval and that the final decision could include numerous conditions to address the conservation commission’s concerns.

Next steps: the ZBA is scheduled to deliberate May 6; the commission will monitor the draft decision and any conditions relevant to conservation and buffer‑zone mitigation.