Plymouth has officially secured full compliance with the state’s MBTA Communities law, marking a major regulatory milestone just days before residents head to Town Meeting to decide on a digital overhaul of the town’s zoning code. Planning Staff Michael Sava informed the Planning Board on Wednesday that following a map correction approved last autumn, the town received a formal letter from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities confirming its standing. We are now in full compliance, Sava said, noting that the town is currently awaiting a final formalizing letter from the Attorney General’s office. Chair Steven Bolotin thanked the staff for navigating the tightrope of shifting state requirements while working to limit potential exposure to the community.

The update on state mandates served as a backdrop for a broader discussion on the future of local housing. Sava announced that the town has launched a feasibility analysis, funded by a state One Stop grant, to explore small footprint housing options such as tiny houses, modular homes, and starter-unit districts. The town is partnering with consultants from Stantec to research best practices and utility requirements. Member Carl Donaldson inquired about the potential structure of these changes, asking, Do we know or do we have a sense whether or not we'll be looking at doing overlays or just certain sections will be specific zoning for this?

Chair Bolotin emphasized that any increase in density would be strategically placed rather than town-wide. The comprehensive plan has specifically identified a ring essentially in Plymouth for which development, especially residential development, makes sense, Bolotin said. We should be looking at those areas... we're not looking to create greater densities in rural areas. This proactive approach to zoning is partly a response to aggressive state-level housing goals, with Bolotin noting the state is targeting 222,000 new units by 2035. He warned that the state is increasingly using a carrot and stick approach to streamline local site plan reviews and unlock housing at any opportunity.

Looking toward Saturday’s Town Meeting, the board highlighted Article 22, which seeks funding for the electronic codification of the town’s zoning bylaws. Bolotin explained that the project aims to do more than just make the documents searchable; it will also task reviewers with identifying where local rules conflict with state law or outdated best practices. The goal is to make it easier to search through the bylaw, Bolotin said, describing it as the first step in a comprehensive bylaw review.

Economic development also remains on the radar, as the town begins an industrial zoning analysis focused on Camelot Drive and Industrial Park Road. Sava reported that staff recently held a kickoff meeting and site visit with Beiel Associates to determine how to unlock the potential of those zones. We've heard from some commercial businesses that it's sometimes challenging to get their business permitted in those areas, Sava noted. C. Donaldson asked if the board would have access to the preliminary data from the study, to which Bolotin clarified that while the initial work is technical and staff-led, the board will eventually craft the resulting bylaws and lead public outreach.

In procedural business, the board formalized a new voting policy for appointments, a move originally suggested by Member Francis Mand to ensure a fair and unbiased selection process for town committees. The board had successfully trialed the protocol during their previous session. Motion Made by a board member to approve the Planning Board voting policy for appointments. Motion Passed (5-0). The board also quickly dispatched two Form A subdivision plans, including a request by Baloney LLC for properties at 29 and 31 Liberty Street. Motion Made by a board member to endorse Form A plan A4912. Motion Passed (5-0). A second plan for Howland Street Shore Properties at 239 South Meadow Road also received unanimous support. Motion Made by a board member to endorse Form A plan A4913. Motion Passed (5-0).