Planning board withdraws 55-plus housing bylaw from April warrant for more public review

The Planning Board voted Feb. 23 to withdraw the proposed 55-plus housing bylaw from the April Town Meeting warrant and to close the public hearing, citing the need for additional public outreach and revisions.

Planner Marnie Houlihan and Ellen (Affordable Housing Trust representative) said public feedback and trustee input prompted the request. "We heard from constituents and decided we would like to move this off as a bylaw," Marnie said, explaining that more time would allow planners and stakeholders to refine language and avoid unintended consequences.

Board members supported the move, noting zoning changes require careful drafting and a two-thirds vote at Town Meeting. The motion to withdraw the article from the April warrant passed by roll call; the board then voted to close the public hearing.

Next steps: staff and the Affordable Housing Trust will continue public engagement and reconvene the article when the draft is better aligned with community input and legal requirements; the board flagged the fall Town Meeting as a possible future target.