Peabody Planning Board Meeting – October 1, 2026

The Peabody Planning Board met on October 1, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level conference room at 24 Lowell Street. The board unanimously approved the minutes of the September 3, 2026 meeting, endorsed an ANR plan for 604 Lowell Street with a non-buildable parcel condition, and granted a continuation extension for a site plan review at 81 Prospect Street. A subcommittee report on AI-related matters was also placed on the next agenda.

Minutes Approval

• The board unanimously approved the minutes of the September 3, 2026 meeting. (Motion by Mr. Chairman, seconded; all in favor.)

ANR Plan of Land – 604 Lowell Street (Map 25, Lot 12A)

• The applicant, Elizabeth Young (represented by her son), requested endorsement of an ANR plan to divide the existing dwelling lot into two parcels: Lot 1 (20,257 square feet, with the house) and Parcel A (26,898 square feet, landlocked and non-buildable). The stated goal was to allow the sale of the house following the death of the applicant's father and to make Parcel A available for purchase by abutters or to be held by the son.
• The board discussed the legality of creating a landlocked parcel. Board member Joe Gagnon initially expressed concern, noting that subdivision regulations generally prohibit creating a lot without access. Surveyor Chris Muller (Eastern Land Survey) explained that this is a common practice for conveying non-buildable parcels to adjacent landowners, and that Parcel A would remain non-buildable until combined with an abutter's lot and further subdivided with ZBA approval.
• The board voted to endorse the plan, conditioned on a clear statement that Parcel A is unbuildable. The motion carried unanimously (8-0).

Site Building Permit Plan Review – 81 Prospect Street (Map 39, Lots 46A and 46B)

• This item was continued from the September 3, 2026 meeting. The board received a late email communication from Nicholas Betts on September 30, requesting an extension of time to a later meeting in November. The board moved to receive and grant the requested extension.
• Discussion indicated that testing had been conducted on the site and that the board was awaiting review of the testing results. The extension was granted unanimously.

Correspondence and Other Matters

• The board noted correspondence regarding 2027 meeting dates and agenda items.
• Judith provided a report from the AI subcommittee (two-page memo). The board placed this item on the next agenda for further discussion.

Key Outcomes

• Minutes of September 3, 2026 approved unanimously.
• ANR plan for 604 Lowell Street endorsed with the condition that Parcel A be designated as unbuildable. Unanimous vote (8-0).
• Site plan review for 81 Prospect Street continued to a later meeting in November upon the request of Nicholas Betts; extension granted unanimously.
• AI subcommittee report referred to the next agenda.
• Meeting adjourned without further business.