Planning Board approves zoning change and schedules continued hearing on Pelham Road development
Planning Board · Meeting of April 28, 2026
Belchertown Planning Board approves zoning amendment, defers controversial Pelham Road housing review. Chair Dan Beaudette and members voted unanimously to recommend a by-law change replacing "Select Board" with "Town Manager" in sections 145-68 and 145-69. A contentious public hearing on 50 Federal Operating Company's five-unit development at Pelham Road drew resident complaints about traffic congestion, pedestrian safety, and stormwater runoff; the board issued a seven-item punch list including formal traffic counts, visitor parking designation, and dumpster screening before continuing the hearing to May 26.
The board unanimously released a $10,000 performance guarantee for Pepper Ridge Drive Subdivision and endorsed two subdivision reconfigurations and a conservation area land transfer.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 553 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of April 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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