West Newbury Planning Board unanimously endorses corrected Zero Mill Street ANR plan

WEST NEWBURY -- June 16, 2026, West Newbury Planning Board endorses a corrected ANR plan for Zero Mill Street and sets a fall agenda around two pending zoning questions. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a revised Approval Not Required plan for Zero Mill Street after a closing attorney flagged missing permit-condition numbers and a "no further subdivision" notation on lots one and three, changes Attorney Steve Chaplin, of Lisa Mead's office, described as clarifications with "no change in the substance of the approval." The board also heard that interim planner Eve Tapper, contracted for up to 10 hours per week, has begun meeting with members and sat in on a session with developer John Sarkis, who is expected to file plans for 187 Main Street by late June or early July. Two policy questions were flagged for future agendas: whether to repeal the marijuana overlay district bylaw now that the town has voted to exclude marijuana establishments, with board member Brian R. Murphey urging the board to await Attorney General review of the town meeting vote before acting, and a slopes bylaw covering pre- and post-construction conditions, which the board agreed to carry toward a required public hearing and a possible fall town meeting filing.