Planning board hears updates on MCI master plan, proposed Concord–Acton shuttle and Section 106 review for 755 Walden tower

Planning staff told the Concord Planning Board on June 16 that next steps in the MCI Concord master-plan process include a follow-up public survey, an economic-impact analysis and a major public presentation currently scheduled for Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. at the high-school auditorium.

Staff also outlined early work with the LoL Regional Transit Authority (LRTA) exploring a request by the town to reallocate MBTA-assessment funds (approximately $500,000 the town pays related to commuter rail stations) to pilot a fixed-route shuttle linking Concord, Acton and West Concord. Staff said the reallocation would require select-board action and multistep regional approvals; shuttle procurement timelines and the pilot would likely take up to two years once authorized.

On a separate matter, staff reported receipt of a Section 106 notice for a proposed wireless tower at 755 Walden Street; the historical commission will serve as the primary consulting party for the historic-review process, and the applicant is expected to submit a special-permit application to the Board of Appeals. Planning staff recommended the planning board need not take the primary consulting-party role and that the historical commission will handle the historic-preservation questions.

Staff also reported that the land-use working group had discussed relocating the Department of Public Works to the MCI campus as part of broader site planning, and that the group continues to evaluate municipal consolidation and the West Concord fire-station situation. The board was reminded of a June 24 public meeting on Route 2 rotary concepts and encouraged to complete the forthcoming MCI survey.