Lee Planning Board Meeting

The Lee Planning Board met on October 19, 2026. The meeting included the withdrawal of a special permit application for 165 Housatonic Street, an informal pre-application discussion for a self-storage facility at 815 Pleasant Street, and the endorsement of a lot split plan on Bradley Street. Staff provided updates on board appointments, zoning bylaw revisions, and upcoming training opportunities.

Consent Calendar

• The board approved the minutes from September 10th and September 14th.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A member of the public, Marilyn Wyatt, who is represented by legal counsel (Donovan O'Connor & Dotage), addressed the board regarding the withdrawal of the 165 Housatonic Street application. She expressed concerns that the withdrawal without prejudice would require her to re-raise her specific concerns anew in the subsequent proceeding. She sought clarification on whether the board's previous requests for certain documents would remain active and whether her previously submitted letter outlining her specific concerns would be automatically entered into the new record. Her core concerns regarding the project's impact on the neighborhood and its compliance with the zoning bylaws and master plan remain unabated.

Discussion Items

1. 165 Housatonic Street – Withdrawal of Special Permit Application
   • The applicant requested to withdraw the application without prejudice, citing significant changes in project scope (altering building heights and lot configuration) and the reality that the board was operating with only four full members, requiring a unanimous vote. The applicant promised to resubmit a clean, cohesive application immediately.
   • Board members expressed disappointment at the delay but acknowledged the wisdom of a clean start given the extensive edits required and the reduced board capacity. They noted the burden this placed on abutters like Marilyn Wyatt to refile their concerns but stated that the applicant is fully aware of all prior feedback and concerns.
   • The board voted unanimously to approve the withdrawal without prejudice, and the public hearing was formally closed.
2. 815 Pleasant Street – Good Friends Storage (Informal Pre-Application)
   • Attorney Egan, principal Mark Slayton of Good Friends Storage, and engineer Charlie Labat presented a preliminary proposal to develop a climate-controlled self-storage facility. The project involves reusing an existing 40,337 sq ft one-story building and adding two new one-story storage buildings (5,450 sq ft and 4,200 sq ft) closer to Pleasant Street, further away from the river.
   • The project requires a special permit under the industrial zone's "warehousing" use category. The applicant argued the project is harmonious with the zone's purpose of promoting economic development and reusing existing buildings.
   • Board members inquired about lighting plans (expressing concerns about light spillover onto Meadow Street based on other facilities), building coverage (projected at 25% compared to the 50% limit), parking, signage, stormwater management, and the need for Conservation Commission approval due to the 100-foot river buffer zone.
   • The board generally expressed support for the reuse of the existing building and the reduction in impervious surface area.
3. 205 Bradley Street – Plan Endorsement (Bearish Lot Split)
   • Surveyor Patrick Mologan presented a plan to split the property into two conforming lots: Lot 1 (7.87 acres) and Lot 2 (4.71 acres), divided by a brook. The remaining existing parcel (Lot 3) is non-conforming with only 70 feet of frontage on Golden Hill Road.
   • The board confirmed the proposed split creates conforming lots and noted that future development will require Conservation Commission and Building Inspector approvals.
   • The board approved the plan endorsement for the lot split unanimously.

Staff Reports and Board Discussions

• Board Appointments: Staff announced the resignation of alternate member Blade Still and noted the passing of Dan Stoddard, who served on the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Community Preservation Commission (CPC). The board discussed the need to appoint a new alternate member and a planning board representative for the CPC, with former member Peg being a potential candidate for the latter role.
• Zoning Bylaw Update: Board member Peter initiated a discussion on the stalled zoning bylaw revision. He voiced reluctance to merely reformat the existing 18-page table of uses without making substantive changes. He proposed a broader cleanup to standardize use definitions and advocated for the board to explore form-based zoning, which emphasizes community character and walkability over strict use separation. Staff confirmed a meeting with zoning consultant CJ is scheduled within two weeks, with a goal of presenting substantive changes for the May Town Meeting.
• Training and Development: Staff shared upcoming training opportunities, including a 40A webinar from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (October 29th), a potential in-person session with new DOER representative Doug Finn, and a CPTC refresher training.

Key Outcomes

• 165 Housatonic Street: Application withdrawn without prejudice. Applicant will refile immediately. The board will schedule a new public hearing upon receipt of the new application and fees.
• 205 Bradley Street: Plan endorsement for the lot split was approved unanimously.
• Zoning: The board will continue discussions on the scope of the zoning bylaw revision (cleanup vs. form-based) and evaluate bringing in a consultant to present on form-based zoning.
• Appointments: The board will seek to fill alternate member and CPC representative vacancies.