Salem Planning Board Meeting - August 25, 2026

The Salem Planning Board held a public hearing on five zoning amendments, approved one conditional use permit, and handled several minor site plan matters. All votes were unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public spoke on any agenda item.

Discussion Items

• Zoning Amendment 1: Consolidate Educational Uses – Proposed to reduce redundancy and ambiguity in the permitted use table. Jacob Lafontaine (Planning Department) explained the consolidation. The board voted 6-0 to recommend it to the Town Council.
• Zoning Amendment 2: Consolidate Religious Uses – Consolidates churches and religious institutions, reducing redundancy and ensuring compliance with the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Unanimously recommended to Town Council.
• Zoning Amendment 3: Allow Personal Service Uses in Business Office Districts – Permits salons, barbershops, tattoo parlors, etc., in Business Office Districts. Unanimously recommended to Town Council.
• Zoning Amendment 4: Allow Mixed Use Development in Commercial Districts – Updated to mirror state RSA (HB 1588 and HB 1010). The board can regulate height, setback, frontage, infrastructure adequacy, and ground floor activation (at least 33% of ground floor area must be activated with 80% street-facing frontage). Jacob clarified that the definition was revised to follow the RSA. Unanimously recommended to Town Council.
• Zoning Amendment 5: Establish Proximity Between Kennels and Cigar Bars to Residential Districts – Jacob presented an updated map showing areas where cigar bars operating after 10 p.m. would be prohibited within 750 linear feet of residential districts. The distance is derived from the sexually oriented business ordinance. Cigar bars operating before 10 p.m. are unaffected. Unanimously recommended to Town Council.
• Bluebird LLC (Old Business) – Requested a continuance to the September 10, 2026 agenda; granted.
• SINCOR Site Plan (New Business) – Public hearing for a conditional use permit (CUP) for a second wall sign at 9 Northeastern Boulevard. Nicole from Sign Design explained that the side of the building faces the street and needs signage. The board had previously approved a comprehensive sign package on April 28, 2026. Staff recommended three conditions (sign size, modifications require board approval, representations and notes incorporated). The board unanimously granted the CUP and approved the site plan.
• Public Matters – Several minor items were presented by Jacob and approved subject to staff approval:
  • 72 Brady Ave (Scottish Highlands): Paving a parking lot with reduced impervious area (from 22,434 sq ft to 18,309 sq ft). Exempt under site plan regulations. No concerns.
  • 142 Main Street (Goddard School): Minor changes including asphalt replacement, additional landscaping, and relocation of ADA ramp. Engineering had no concerns.
  • 18 Shannon Road: Wetland buffer restoration plan submitted after previously approved site plan. Staff will monitor planting before occupancy.
  • 103 Styles Road: Conversion from general office to medical office (dentist). Parking surplus (49 spaces vs. 41 required). No concerns.

Key Outcomes

• All five zoning amendments were unanimously recommended to the Town Council for adoption.
• The SINCOR conditional use permit for a second wall sign was unanimously granted (three conditions).
• Bluebird LLC site plan was continued to September 10, 2026.
• All four public matters were approved subject to staff review and approval.
• Meeting minutes were tabled due to the absence of the board secretary.
• The planning director noted that two bids were received for the zoning RFQ and a consultant was selected; the timeline may shift to November 2026 due to staffing.