Acushnet: Planning Board Sept. 3, 2026

The Acushnet Planning Board met on September 3, 2026, and addressed several land use items, including a public hearing continuance, two Approval Not Required (ANR) subdivision plans, and ongoing discussions regarding proposed amendments to the town's solar bylaw. The board opened by immediately continuing the public hearing for the ongoing site plan review for P.J. Keating at 72 South Main Street (Map 15, Lot 17) to September 17, 2026, pending the completion and receipt of peer review comments.

The board then reviewed and endorsed two separate Form A (Approval Not Required) plans. Michael Koska of Michael T. Koska & Associates represented Jose and Rebecca Wood Gomez for 21 Cushing Lane, adjusting lot lines to divide existing residential structures, creating a 4.798-acre parcel with 323 feet of frontage and leaving a 3.228-acre parcel with 243 feet of frontage. The board voted unanimously to approve the plan. Following this, Matt Leone of Schneider, Davignon & Leone represented Ripwell Corp. for 734 Main Street to carve out a conforming 60,086-square-foot residential building lot with 170.66 feet of frontage from a 38.5-acre property, leaving 37.2 acres. The board unanimously endorsed the plan as submitted.

Finally, the board held an extended discussion regarding revisions to the solar bylaw. Board members reviewed options for establishing a solar tree mitigation fund requiring monetary payments for cleared trees exceeding 12 inches in diameter, mandating a two-year irrigation plan for vegetative screening buffers, and tightening fencing and berm standards to prevent see-through security fencing, such as requiring six-foot earthen berms topped with four-foot fences. Members agreed to review the draft language and finalize recommendations at the next meeting on September 17, 2026, before voting to adjourn.

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