Harwich Planning Board Flags Zoning Bylaw Changes Needed
Planning Board · Meeting of September 8, 2026
Harwich Planning Board warns new state zoning law weakens local control over development. Chair Duncan Berry's board continued a special permit hearing for 246 Queen Anne Road Realty Trust to October 13 before turning to a lengthy discussion of recent Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A amendments, which members said were drafted without input from KP Law, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, or regional planning groups. One member, called "Bob," said the new variance standard leaves "no real hints or clues as to what substantial hardship means," predicting years of litigation.
Members flagged pending statewide measures allowing by-right duplex zoning and, under a bill referenced as the "Yes in God's Backyard Act," by-right multifamily housing on religious institution land at densities cited as high as 30 units per acre. Separately, the board learned the town faces up to $200 million in unfunded wastewater expansion debt beyond its current Chatham treatment agreement. Berry said the board's task remains defining "what does the Harwich look like in the future."
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,866 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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