Winchendon Planning Board Pursues Joint Workshop With ZBA on 40B Projects

WINCHENDON -- May 26, 2026, Winchendon Planning Board votes to pursue joint workshop with ZBA as two 40B projects advance. The board, which reappointed its existing chair and Amy as vice chair at its May 26 meeting, agreed unanimously to continue a public hearing on a proposed 32-unit apartment complex at State Road West, three nine-unit buildings and one five-unit building, while awaiting a follow-up review from peer engineer Tetra Tech, with the hearing rescheduled for June 9 at 6 p.m. The board's lengthiest discussion focused on the two active 40B comprehensive permit applications before the Zoning Board of Appeals, on Sargent Road and Adams Street, with Town Planner Ryan arguing the Planning Board must insert its site-plan expertise before design decisions are locked in. "We are making recommendations and I want to be able to make good, solid recommendations that are actionable by the applicant," Ryan said. The board agreed to work with ZBA Chair Matt and a town consultant to organize a public workshop, separate from formal ZBA hearings, covering site-plan review and stormwater standards; Ryan noted that approval of both 40B projects could place Winchendon in a roughly two-year safe harbor from additional 40B filings.