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Planning Board endorses ANR, grants waivers and continues two public hearings to March 4, 2026
Summary
The Newburyport Plan Board on Feb. 4, 2026 endorsed an ANR plan for 185 Low Street, granted waivers and determined a site-review submittal complete for 13 Hills Street, elected a secretary, and continued two public hearings (18 Highland Avenue and 93 State Street) to March 4, 2026.
At its Feb. 4, 2026 meeting the Newburyport Plan Board handled routine business and several administrative votes alongside the two public hearings.
Key actions taken at the meeting:
- Endorsed the ANR plan for 185 Low Street. The board voted in favor of the plan endorsement. "Move to endorse the ANR plan for 185 Low Street," a board member said; the motion carried by roll call.
- Granted requested waivers for the site review application at 13 Hills Street and then voted to determine the 13 Hills Street submission complete for review. The transcript records roll-call approvals for the waivers and the completeness determination.
- Elected a board secretary by motion and roll call.
- Continued the special permit and subdivision application for 18 Highland Avenue (Caswell) to March 4, 2026; and continued the IFS special permit amendment for 93 State Street to March 4, 2026. Both continuations were by motion and roll call.
The board also discussed longer-term zoning work, including an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) amendment pending before city council and a proposed amendment affecting "courts and lanes" that would give the planning board additional discretion to modify dimensional standards (the board noted this tool could affect how subdivision applications like Highland Avenue are handled). Staff cautioned the board to keep cumulative municipal constraints — in particular water-supply capacity — in mind as zoning and development activity progresses.
Votes at a glance (from the meeting transcript): - Endorse ANR plan for 185 Low Street: approved (roll call affirmative). - Grant waivers requested for 13 Hills Street: approved (roll call affirmative). - Determine 13 Hills Street application complete: approved (roll call affirmative). - Continue 18 Highland Avenue special permit and subdivision: approved (continued to March 4, 2026). - Continue 93 State Street special permit amendment: approved (continued to March 4, 2026). - Elect secretary (Alden): approved by roll call.
The board asked staff and applicants to return with clear, contract‑level drawings and documentation for items being continued and to keep the public record organized so revised plans and engineering submittals are identifiable.
