Newburyport meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Newburyport boards face busy agendas; no decisions made in past two weeks

No decisions were made at Newburyport board meetings over the past two weeks; all recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. The most consequential items on the horizon are a proposed zoning change that would reduce height limits in part of the R-2 Residential District and a special permit request for 14 townhomes at 5 Parker Street.

Recent meetings (agenda only)

Zoning Board of Appeals — Aug. 11

The board reviewed a minor modification request at 44 Purchase Street, Unit 1 (MM-26-10) and held a public hearing on a special permit (ZNC-26-18) to construct a covered entry porch at 16 Virginia Lane, which would increase a preexisting nonconforming front yard setback.

Historical Commission — Aug. 13

The commission continued demolition delay hearings for 29 Boardman Street (HCDD-26-10) and 82 Water Street (HCDD-26-12), originally taken up July 23. It also discussed a minor modification at 78 High Street and considered preservation restrictions for 94 State Street and 1 Market Square.

Conservation Commission — Aug. 18

Public hearings were held on Notices of Intent for properties at 40 Parker Street (Richey Properties LLC, continued from July 7), 9 Louise Street (Sharon Scott, continued from Aug. 4), and 5 Parker Street (Edward Hill). The commission also considered Certificates of Compliance for 12 Pheasant Run Drive (John Spellman) and 137 Old Point Road (Kerri Fowler), both continued from earlier meetings, plus an informal discussion on 116R Parker Street.

Planning Board — Aug. 19

The board held a joint public hearing with the City Council on a zoning amendment to subdivide the R-2 Residential District and reduce the height allowance from 35 feet to 25 feet in a proposed new R2A area. It also continued a DOD special permit hearing for 9 Center Street (PBSP-26-2) and a site plan review for 5 Parker Street (SPR-26-2), and discussed a planning recommendation (ODNC00221_03_23_2026).

Local Historic District Commission — Aug. 20

The commission reviewed a landscaping plan for Fruit Street and continued discussions on updating design guidelines.

Coming up

Zoning Board of Appeals — Aug. 25, 7 p.m., Senior Community Center

The board will hold public hearings on five requests, including a continued special permit for 14 townhomes in four buildings at 5 Parker Street (ZSP-26-3). Also on the agenda: a waiver request at 2 Harrison Street (ZNC-26-20), a variance and special permit for an accessory dwelling unit within the front setback at 82 Water Street (VAR-26-4, ZNC-26-7), a special permit for a covered entry porch at 16 Virginia Lane (ZNC-26-18), and a special permit for a two-story addition extending a side yard setback at 78 Lime Street (ZNC-26-19).

Historical Commission — Aug. 27

The commission will continue the demolition delay review for 29 Boardman Street (HCDD-26-10) and hold an advisory review for a project at 19 Broad Street (ZSP-26-7). It will also approve minutes from the Aug. 13 meeting.

Planning Board — Sept. 2

The board will continue the DOD special permit hearing for 9 Center Street (PBSP-26-2), presented by Attorney Douglas Deschenes, and consider a planning recommendation (ODNC00221_03_23_2026).

All meetings are open to the public. Agendas and minutes are available on the city's website.

Newburyport boards to weigh zoning changes, data center ban, and property requests

This week's Newburyport meetings feature public hearings on a proposed data center ban, a new residential zoning district, and several property-specific requests. No final decisions have been made yet — all recent meetings were agenda-only, with minutes not yet published. The most consequential items are zoning amendments that could shape future development in the R-2 Residential District.

Zoning and Planning

The Planning Board met August 5 to hold public hearings on two zoning amendments. One would add data centers to the list of prohibited uses (continued from July 15). The other would split the R-2 Residential District into subdistricts, creating a new R2A area with a 25-foot height limit for single- and two-family homes, down from the current 35 feet. The board also discussed a DOD special permit for 9 Center Street (PBSP-26-2, continued from July 1) and changes to Ch. 40A.

A joint hearing with the City Council is scheduled for August 19 to continue consideration of the R2A zoning change. The Planning Board will also continue the 9 Center Street special permit and a site plan review for 5 Parker Street (SPR-26-2).

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals held hearings July 28 on several items: a variance for an accessory dwelling unit at 82 Water Street (VAR-26-4), a special permit for non-conformities for the same ADU (ZNC-26-7), a special permit for 14 townhomes in 4 buildings at 5 Parker Street (ZSP-26-3), and a special permit to demolish and rebuild a single-family home at 13 55th Street (ZNC-26-15).

Upcoming on August 11, the board will review a minor modification request at 44 Purchase Street, Unit 1 (MM-26-10) and hold a public hearing for a special permit to construct a covered entry porch at 16 Virginia Lane (ZNC-26-18), which would increase a preexisting nonconforming front yard setback.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission met August 4 to hear a Notice of Intent from Benjamin Brooks for Arwood Machine at 95 Parker Street. It also continued hearings for a Certificate of Compliance at 137 Old Point Road and a Notice of Intent at 9 Louise Street, both from July 21.

On August 18, the commission will hold public hearings on three Notices of Intent: for Mark Richey at 40 Parker Street (continued from July 7), for Sharon Scott at 9 Louise Street (continued from August 4), and for Edward Hill at 5 Parker Street. It will also consider Certificates of Compliance for 12 Pheasant Run Drive (continued from July 7) and 137 Old Point Road (continued from August 4).

Historical Commission

The Historical Commission will meet August 13 to continue demolition delay hearings for 29 Boardman Street (HCDD-26-10) and 82 Water Street (HCDD-26-12), both originally from July 23. The commission will also discuss a minor modification at 78 High Street and consider preservation restrictions for 94 State Street and 1 Market Square.

Resiliency Committee

The Resiliency Committee met August 5 to review water infrastructure updates, including a public education program funded by MVP 2.0, and to discuss fall planning and committee leadership. The agenda included an Ad Hoc Committee on Water Infrastructure update, ECO 1-Stop applications, and a Cashman Park MVP grant outreach discussion.

Coming up

• **August 11, 7:00 pm** – Zoning Board of Appeals at the Senior Community Center: porch variance at 44 Purchase Street and special permit at 16 Virginia Lane.
• **August 13** – Historical Commission: continued demolition delays for 29 Boardman and 82 Water, plus preservation restrictions.
• **August 18** – Conservation Commission: three Notices of Intent and two compliance requests.
• **August 19** – Planning Board joint hearing with City Council on R2A zoning change, plus continued special permit and site plan review.
• **August 20** – Local Historic District Commission: landscaping plan for Fruit St. and design guideline discussions.

Newburyport meeting roundup: ZBA, Conservation, Historical agendas on record; minutes pending

Minutes have not yet been published for three recent Newburyport board meetings held over the past two weeks, so outcomes — including any votes on permits, variances, and demolition delays — are not yet available. The agendas on file show what each board planned to take up.

Zoning Board of Appeals — July 28

The ZBA scheduled public hearings on four items, all continued or newly filed:

• **VAR-26-4** and **ZNC-26-7**: A variance and special permit for non-conformities tied to constructing an accessory dwelling unit within the front setback at **82 Water Street**, which would increase non-conforming lot coverage.
• **ZSP-26-3**: A special permit for **14 townhomes in 4 buildings** at **5 Parker Street**.
• **ZNC-26-15**: A special permit for non-conformities to demolish and rebuild a single-family home at **13 55th Street**, increasing non-conforming floor-area ratio.

The agenda also listed approval of minutes and discussion of changes to Ch. 40A.

Historical Commission — July 23

The Historical Commission agenda included three demolition delay applications:

• **29 Boardman Street** (HCDD-26-10), continued from June 25, 2026.
• **13 55th Street** (HCDD-26-11).
• **82 Water Street** (HCDD-26-12).

Two advisory reviews were also listed: 31.5 Union Street and a Section 106 review for 37.5 Forrester Street.

Conservation Commission — July 21

The Conservation Commission agenda listed a certificate of compliance for 137 Old Point Road and a notice of intent for a project at 9-11 Merrill Street. Correspondence regarding utility maintenance at 6 Plum Street and 64th Street was also scheduled for discussion.

Coming up

• **Conservation Commission — Aug. 4**: Public hearing on a Notice of Intent from Benjamin Brooks for Arwood Machine (Vulcan Forms) at **95 Parker Street**. Continued items include a Certificate of Compliance at **137 Old Point Road** and a Notice of Intent at **9 Louise Street**, both carried from July 21.

• **Planning Board — Aug. 5**: Public hearings on two zoning amendments — one to **prohibit data centers** as a use, and another to create an **R2A residential subdistrict** with a **25-foot height limit** for single- and two-family structures (down from 35 feet). Also on the agenda: a DOD special permit for **9 Center Street** (PBSP-26-2, continued from July 1) and discussion of changes to Ch. 40A.

• **Resiliency Committee — Aug. 5**: Updates on water infrastructure, including the MVP 2.0-funded Newburyport Water Public Education & Communication Program, the Ad Hoc Committee on Water Infrastructure, ECO 1-Stop applications, a Drought Resiliency and Water Efficiency Grant Program review, and Cashman Park MVP grant outreach. Committee leadership and fall planning are also listed.

• **Zoning Board of Appeals — Aug. 11, 7:00 p.m., Senior Community Center**: A minor modification request for **44 Purchase Street, Unit 1** (MM-26-10) and a public hearing on a special permit (ZNC-26-18) to construct a covered entry porch at **16 Virginia Lane**, which would increase a preexisting nonconforming front yard setback.

Because the recent meetings' minutes are not yet published, the items above reflect agendas only, not final decisions. Readers seeking official records should consult the linked agendas and any subsequent minutes posted by each board.