Peabody Planning Board Meeting - June 18, 2026

The Peabody Planning Board meeting on June 18, 2026, primarily focused on a public hearing regarding amendments to the city's zoning ordinance to regulate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in response to the Massachusetts Affordable Homes Act of 2024. Key discussions included the prohibition of multiple ADUs on a single lot, banning short-term rentals of ADUs, parking requirements regardless of proximity to bus stops, and dimensional setback rules tied to the primary structure. The board debated state law compliance, local restrictions, and practical implications for homeowners, including ADU size limits and utility connections. The board voted to recommend adoption of the ordinance with suggestions for further clarification on parking, short-term rental definitions, and square footage rules, especially concerning multi-family dwellings. Additionally, the board addressed a request from the City Council regarding AI data centers, discussing the need for zoning regulations to manage energy and water usage, potential locations in industrial parks, and the importance of ensuring infrastructure costs are borne by developers. The board considered forming a working group to develop data center regulations and emphasized balancing economic development with community safeguards.