Westminster Planning Board Sends Concerns to ZBA Over 48-Unit Adams Street Development

WINCHENDON -- June 9, 2026, Westminster Planning Board votes to engage on 48-unit Adams Street affordable housing project. The board voted unanimously at its June 9 meeting to send an advisory letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals, which holds sole permitting authority under Chapter 40B, outlining concerns about project scale, traffic safety, building height, stormwater engineering, and site buffers around the Local Initiative Program proposal. Chair Isaiah stressed the session was preliminary and informational only, with no permitting power, while noting that police, the DPW, and abutters have all filed written objections. A key technical concern: seasonal high groundwater sits only two feet below the proposed retention pond base, half the four-foot standard minimum. The board also voted unanimously to support DPW Director Josh's bid for state Transportation Initiative funding for a roundabout at the Depot Road intersection, and approved Amy as the town's new representative to the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission effective July 1.