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Palmer planners outline zoning overhaul, ADU changes and multimillion‑dollar grant bids
Summary
Town planners presented a package of zoning updates (a unified table of uses, ADU standards, blade‑sign rules) and described major infrastructure grant efforts, including a $5 million MassWorks application for Thorndyke/Shearer sewer construction and a $700,000‑plus culvert construction award.
Town planner Heidi Mannarino and conservation agent Jessica Laden briefed the Palmer Town Council on July 13 about planning and conservation activity, zoning ordinance amendments, and key grant applications aimed at infrastructure and resilience.
Mannarino said the planning department worked with the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to consolidate multiple use tables into a single unified table to reduce redundancy and inconsistent permitting. "I think that this really cleans up the tables and makes it more user friendly by compiling them into one clear table," Mannarino said.
The council took first readings on three zoning amendments: a unified table of use regulations, updated accessory dwelling unit (ADU) language to comply with recent changes to Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A, and a sign ordinance amendment to authorize and regulate projecting "blade" signs in village centers. Under the proposed ADU language, the local ADU could be up to 1,250 square feet while remaining limited to half the size of the principal dwelling; Mannarino noted that the state baseline allows 900 square feet by right in single‑family zones.
Planning staff also reviewed grants and infrastructure projects. The design for the Thorndyke/Shearer sewer improvements is complete and the town applied for $5,000,000 through the MassWorks program to fund construction (project estimates were discussed in the $7–8 million range). Mannarino said the town expects to learn MassWorks results in October. Separately, the Route 181 culvert replacement project — described as serving a cold‑water fishery — has been awarded more than $700,000 for construction to meet stream‑crossing standards and reduce localized flooding.
Conservation agent Jessica Laden highlighted recent conservation activity and coordination across departments, including water sampling at seven sites, stormwater bylaw enforcement for small developments, and permit review for culvert and sewer work. She also noted the conservation commission’s staffing (one paid staff member and several volunteers) and ongoing work to finalize the town’s open space and recreation plan.
Councilors asked whether the town’s hazard mitigation plan contains overlapping data about flood‑vulnerable areas; staff said a more recent plan exists beyond the 2016 draft referenced and that they will verify redundancy. On battery energy storage and data centers, Mannarino said the town currently has a moratorium on stand‑alone battery energy storage while local regulations are developed and that data centers are not an allowed use on the town’s current use table (making them effectively excluded unless the table is amended).
Next steps: the zoning amendments were presented as first readings and will return for additional council consideration and public hearing as required; the MassWorks award decisions are expected in the fall.
