The Bourne Planning Board met on September 8, 2025, at 7:00 PM via Zoom and in-person at Town Hall. The meeting included approval of minutes, a unanimous approval of an Approval Not Required (ANR) plan, an informal discussion on a subdivision road waiver, a presentation on the MBTA Communities Act and proposed zoning amendments, and a continuation of a site plan review. All votes were recorded via roll call.
Approval Not Required Plan – 190 Main Street (Chapter 41, Section 81P): Brad (JC Engineering) presented for the property owner. The lot is approximately 14,000 sq. ft., developed with a hair salon, and has frontage on Main Street and Holt Road. The proposal subdivides a rear lot (approx. 3,700 sq. ft.) with frontage on Holt Road. Both lots meet zoning in the downtown core district (minimum lot size 3,500 sq. ft.). The board voted unanimously to approve the ANR plan.
3, 5, and 7 Mooring Basin River Road Subdivision – Informal Discussion: Attorney John Fitch represented owners Kathy and Bob Nakashin (lots 3, 4, 5). The lots are undeveloped and served by a paper road (Mooring Basin Lane) that is blocked by a fence installed by the owner of lot 1. A Land Court case is pending. Fitch proposed two options: (1) waive road construction and merge the three lots into one, using a 17-foot-wide driveway on Wings Neck Road; (2) use River Road frontage (141 ft.) for an ANR plan, with access via a driveway on Wings Neck Road. Board members voiced concerns: emergency access confusion, historical precedent with Silver Birch/Lower Lane, rights to River Road, and potential for illusory access. The board preferred the first option (merger and waiver) to avoid River Road complications. No formal vote was taken; Fitch will return with a formal application.
MBTA Communities Act Presentation and Zoning Bylaw Amendments:
Site Plan Review 509A – 0 Ernest Fillary Road (Continued): Nathan Collins (NextGrid) provided an update on the related 665 Scenic Highway solar array. He reported that after a fire and cease-and-desist order in 2024, the site has been largely remediated: a new retaining wall built to engineered standards, gravel drive improved, fire alarm system installed, and emergency response plan approved by the Bourne Fire Department. Remaining items: final inspection of the fire alarm system (two faulty aerosol canisters being replaced) and final commissioning by the battery manufacturer. The board asked about ongoing maintenance and responsibility post-sale; Collins clarified that NextGrid keeps the land, Madison Energy owns the array, and contact information is on-site. The board voted unanimously to continue the site plan review to September 25, 2025.
7 p.m. on September 11th. Which I would like to this is Liz. I cannot see anyone. Oh, the video's not sure. Thank you. Thanks, Liz. It being Thursday, September 11th, which I would like just to take a moment to acknowledge this date. Thank you. We call the planning board meeting to begin. Please note this meeting is being recorded for live broadcast and televised replay by Bourne TV. If anyone is audio or visual recording, please acknowledge at this time. Hello, yeah. Thank you. This is available through the Zoom meeting. The meeting ID is 864-3064-6737. And the passcode is 325-930. You could also dial in at 1929-205-6099. All items within the meeting are subject to deliberation and vote. We'll start with the meeting minutes from August 28, 2025. Second. Motion by Jim. Second by Dan. Any comments? Take a roll call vote. Liz. Yes. Jim? Yes. Katherine? Yes. Dave? Dan? Yes. Corinne? Yes. Amanda. Amanda? Yes. Yes, yes. And the chair votes yes. Unanimous. Yes, he'll be here. First up on the agenda, approval not required plan. Chapter 41, Section 81P, 190 Main Street. Welcome, Brad. Uh Sean, would you like to uh yes? I've reviewed this project uh for the AR and it uh it complies with all the uh bylaws for the town of board. Great, thank you. Right?