Costco team updates Planning Board; AG review of rezoning briefly delayed by complaint

Representatives for the Cosland Drive redevelopment and Costco updated the Planning Board on Jan. 26, saying they are finishing required traffic and site studies and expect to file a comprehensive application in the coming months.

Applicant counsel asked the board to consider appointing a working subcommittee so consultants and staff can vet technical material—traffic, site circulation and environmental studies—between full-board meetings to expedite later public sessions. "I wholeheartedly support a working group," Costco counsel John (surname provided in transcript) said.

Costco director of development Mark Marchesano said the company is "looking forward to moving forward with this project" and that engineers and operations staff will be available at future meetings. Counsel said they would be prepared to devote meeting time to single issues—traffic, for example—so the public and board could focus questions and consultants could respond with targeted data.

Board members asked about the status of the zoning amendment approval from the Massachusetts Attorney General's office. Planning staff and counsel reported that the AG had been preparing to issue approval but placed the decision on hold after the AG received a complaint alleging spot zoning. Town counsel submitted the town's response and expected the AG review to be delayed about one to two weeks while the complaint is considered; the applicant requested a copy of the complaint for its files.

Next steps: the applicant will finalize studies and submit the site-plan package; the Planning Board will consider forming a working subcommittee and set topic‑focused nights for in‑depth hearings on traffic, environmental or other technical concerns prior to full-board votes.