Marion Planning Board — October 19, 2026

The Marion Planning Board met on October 19, 2026, to address several action items, public hearings, and procedural matters. The board approved the minutes of October 5, 2026, and authorized payment of a $2,800 invoice from Chapel Engineering Associates LLC for 14 Barnabas Road. The board then discussed a bond reduction request from Toll Brothers Inc. for 78 Wareham Road alongside a newly drafted bond reduction policy. While Toll Brothers sought a substantial reduction reflecting partially installed utilities, board members insisted that systems must be fully completed, inspected, and tested before bonds are released. Ultimately, the board voted unanimously to approve a partial bond release of $745,300 for items that were 100% complete, including site preparation, clearing, stripping, and granite curbing.

The board opened a public hearing for the Heron Cove Estates site plan application submitted by Toll Brothers, proposing up to 57 townhomes (55 shown on design drawings) on Route 6. Representatives Phil Cordero and Jeff Heidelberg presented the site design, stormwater management plans, and proposed utilities. Abutters voiced significant frustration regarding ongoing construction disruptions, safety hazards, and traffic congestion along Route 6, particularly near Hill Street. Following project presentation and abutter feedback, the board evaluated three proposals for peer review engineering services and voted 4-2 to select Field Engineering for the $5,000 site plan review, requiring them to subcontract the traffic review. The hearing was continued to November 16, 2026.

In other business, Steve Chiosa of SciTech presented updates on the continued site plan application for 14 Barnabas Road on behalf of Sippican Holdings LLC. The revised plan removed a connecting walkway between two former Lockheed Martin buildings, switched to subsurface stormwater management, and reconfigured parking. Chiosa noted that the applicant is approaching the Zoning Board of Appeals regarding potential mixed-use zoning relief. The board agreed to continue the hearing to November 16, 2026, and discussed future re-notification of abutters. The board briefly reviewed an updated peer review checklist before adjourning.

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