Rochester Planning Board — July 14, 2026

The Rochester Planning Board met on July 14, 2026, to address multiple administrative items, site plan reviews, and modification requests. After approving the minutes from the previous meeting and batch-approving all vouchers, the board voted unanimously to reschedule its next meeting from August 11 to August 18, 2026, to resolve a scheduling conflict and align with the Conservation Commission's schedule. The board then held a public hearing for a site plan review application by the Town of Rochester for an 8,220-square-foot parking area expansion at 1 Constitution Way (Map 31, Lot 31). Following a presentation on stormwater calculations and regraded retention basins designed for regrind asphalt or future paving, the board closed the hearing and voted unanimously to approve the site plan review decision.

Several solar applications and commercial modifications were heard. The board approved continuations to August 18, 2026, with decision deadline extensions to September 30, 2026, for Walnut Plain Solar 1 LLC (0 Walnut Plain Road) and High Street Solar 1 & 2 LLC (0 High Street). For Rochester Crossroads (Steen Realty and Development Corp., 22 Cranberry Highway), representatives presented proposed ring road reconfigurations and reductions in drainage pipe sizes; however, because Town Engineer Ken Motta requested additional details, the board voted to continue the hearing to August 18 without action. Dexter Lane Solar 1 LLC (53 Dexter Lane) requested modifications to remove floating solar arrays, related fencing, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). The board agreed to classify the changes as a minor modification, agreeing to strike conditions specific to waterfowl and floating systems while retaining landscape berm and biohydraulic fluid requirements.

In other business, the chair recounted responding to abutter complaints regarding early construction activity at the Featherbed and Brady Hill solar project sites. After visiting the sites before 6:30 AM and confronting contractors operating before the permitted 7:00 AM start time, the chair warned that further violations would result in cease-and-desist orders. Town Planner Michaela provided updates on ongoing projects, including punch-list progress at Highland Storage (667 County Road), unpermitted driveway work on High Street tied to Forbes Road Form A lots, Eversource substation apron requirements on Route 105, and ongoing site maintenance concerns at Rochester Crossroads.

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