Sherborn Planning Board Approves Warrant Articles, Eyes Major Zoning Overhaul for 2027

SHERBORN -- March 17, 2026, Sherborn Planning Board reviews zoning audit and faces new state clean energy permitting deadline. At the March 17 Zoom meeting, Chair Frank Cookman and the four-member board approved minutes from two prior sessions, received a first-look review of a consultant's comprehensive zoning bylaw audit identifying 41 inconsistent special permit uses, and heard that two annual town meeting warrant articles, a stormwater management bylaw and a housekeeping zoning article, cleared the Select Board 5-0 and Advisory Committee unanimously ahead of the April 28 town meeting. Town Planner Heidi warned that newly finalized state clean energy permitting regulations, effective July 1 with a town compliance deadline of October 1, will require a consolidated local review process for solar, battery storage, and wind facilities that Sherborn's current bylaws do not address, likely forcing a default to Select Board administration until a bylaw can be enacted, possibly at a fall special town meeting. Member Jim reported that the Historical Commission is seeking Planning Board support for a demolition delay bylaw that would impose up to an 18-month consultation window before demolition of historic structures, an effort the board last attempted roughly 30 years ago.