Proposed Zoning Amendments for Annual Town Meeting

On February 19th, 2025 at 7:15 p.m., the Newbury Planning Board will hold a public hearing remotely via Zoom pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40A, §5 to consider proposed amendments to the Code of the Town of Newbury, Chapter 97, Zoning. The Public Hearing Agenda and Zoom link are available here.

As part of its mission and responsibilities, the Planning Board continuously reviews the Town's Zoning Bylaw for improvements and amendments to meet the demands of the Town and any requirements from the State or other legislation. Specifically over the last fiscal year, the Board has worked with staff and with legal guidance to draft revisions, clarifications, and updates. Much of this work is founded on lessons learned and experiences gained through intimately using the Town's rules and regulations to permit projects. We are calling this work: "The Zoning Recodification Project." 

The project has been led by former Planning Director, Martha Taylor, working with Planning Board members, Zoning Board members, the Building Commissioner, other Planning Staff, and with guidance and review from Town Counsel. The Zoning Recodification Project has been identified as a priority goal in the Planning Department’s annual work plan and budget detail for several years, and we expect may continue for several years.

The Planning Board discussed this year's proposals at their regularly scheduled public meetings held on December 4, 2024; December 18, 2024; January 8, 2025; and January 22, 2025. All of these meetings are available for viewing here. 

On January 22, 2025, by unanimous vote, the Planning Board requested that the Select Board submit the following Zoning Bylaw amendments back to the Planning Board for a Public Hearing, as required by MGL c. 40A, s. 5.  The Select Board considered the Planning Board's memo at their public meeting on January 28, 2025, and then voted unanimously to refer the following amendments back to the Planning Board, for a Public Hearing to be held on February 19, 2025. The Public Hearing legal notice was posted with the Town Clerk on February 3, 2025, and was published in the Newburyport Daily News on 2/3/25 and 2/10/25.

The proposed zoning amendments include revisions to certain bylaws as required for compliance with State, FEMA, and EPA requirements, as well as revisions recommended as part of the Zoning Recodification Project. A summary of each proposed zoning amendment as well as the full language of each amendment is available here:  www.townofnewbury.org/planning-board/pages/proposed-zoning-and-regulation-amendments . Hard copies are available for reading at the Town Clerk's Office and the Planning Office at 12 Kent Way.

Please join us, on Zoom, on Wednesday February 19, 2025, at 7:15pm to learn more, ask any questions, and participate in discussion of these important revisions to the Zoning Bylaw.

Following the Public Hearing, with time for public comments and discussion, the Planning Board will take a vote to forward amendments to the Select Board for inclusion on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. All Warrant Articles will be considered by the full community at the Annual Town Meeting 2025, on April 22, 2025, 7pm, at Triton High School auditorium.

Please contact the Planning Office at 978-465-0862 ext. 336 or ext. 312 with any questions.