# Planning Board: October 28, 2026

The Chelmsford Planning Board met on October 28, 2026. NEMCOG presented Massachusetts’ new consolidated permitting requirements for small clean-energy facilities, including solar installations under 25 MW and battery storage under 100 MW. The board discussed possible local zoning and bylaw updates covering permitting roles, review tiers, setbacks, emergency response, decommissioning, and financial sureties; members favored beginning work and expected to discuss next steps at a future meeting. The presentation concerned regulatory readiness and potential future development, not a procurement or contract award.

The board approved the minor site plan and special permit for the Chelmsford Water District’s garage addition at 20 Watershed Lane, and approved the consolidated permits for 24 Maple Road, subject to detailed conditions and waivers. It ratified the 345 North Road decision with edits correcting the affordable-unit count to three and updating the state agency name. The board continued the 65 Dunstable Road attic-finish request pending information on whether the space qualifies as a bedroom, and continued the Chelmsford Mall review to November 18 pending a traffic peer review. It also approved updates to its policies and procedures and site-plan and special-permit regulations. No procurement activity was identified.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 28, 2026

### Sources
- [Planning Board: October 28, 2026](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJYX0rLqXtk) - Chelmsford TV