Essex Planning Board sets June 17 vote on Bell Point 36-lot subdivision decision

ESSEX — June 3, 2026 — Essex Planning Board advances 36-lot Bell Point subdivision toward a June 23 decision deadline. The board voted unanimously Wednesday to continue the public hearing on Bell Point LLC's definitive subdivision plan for 0 Essex Park Road and 0 Pond Street Rear — a proposed 36-lot open space residential development that has been under review since March 4. Engineer Will Scooter of Morin and Cameron Group walked members through a 16-page response to peer-review comments from Weston and Sampson, detailing revised side-loaded garage configurations, elimination of one stormwater retention basin previously labeled 4P, updated traffic markings and pedestrian infrastructure along Essex Park Road and Western Avenue, and a relocated community mailbox kiosk. The board reached consensus on a new condition requiring surveyors to locate and tag all trees 12 inches or larger in diameter within a 10-foot band beyond the construction limit before any clearing begins. Chair Lisa O'Donnell confirmed that Weston and Sampson will issue a follow-up peer-review memo by mid-next-week, and that the board will close the public hearing, vote on individual waivers, and approve a final decision at its June 17 meeting — with the statutory deadline falling on June 23.