Planning Board Approves Two Maple Street Developments

Planning Board · Meeting of October 27, 2026

DANVERS — The Danvers Planning Board approved special permits, waivers and site plans for two Maple Street redevelopments. Board members, led by Chair Jean Hartnett, voted 5-0 to grant PMZ Realty Trust a 22-foot transitional buffer setback (down from a required 50 feet) for 30 units at 156-158 Maple Street, after a shadow study found minimal impact on an abutting home, plus $111,356 in transportation infrastructure contributions. The board also approved Engine 111 LLC's conversion of the vacant 1850s former fire station at 135 Maple Street into 13 units and ground-floor commercial space, over objections from member Jim Sears, who said "the site doesn't work with a restaurant in a residential use" given only 15 on-site and street-credited parking spaces.

Town Meeting members Lois McKenzie, Bill Bradstreet and Lauren Steves opposed the firehouse project's density waiver in public comment and written letters. Both projects include affordable units: six at the larger project, three at the firehouse.

In the full story:

• 129 Collins Street: approval-not-required plan
• 156-158 Maple Street: special permits, waivers and site plan
• [00:33:00] — Jean Hartnett, Planning Board Chair
• 135 Maple Street: firehouse redevelopment
• [02:51:32] — Jim Sears, Planning Board member
• Minutes and administrative items
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,577 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of October 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.