Rochester Planning Board — October 27, 2026

The Rochester Planning Board met on October 27, 2026, to address multiple subdivision and special permit applications, site modifications, and routine town business. The board quickly approved meeting minutes from October 13, 2026, a warrant containing five routine vouchers, and two off-agenda vouchers totaling $4,425 payable to Field Engineering for reviews of Highland Development Ventures and Logging Swamp Soil. The board also formally voted 5-0 to approve written decisions granting a backlot division special permit at 72 Marion Road, as well as a large-scale solar photovoltaic special permit and site plan approval for High Street Solar Number 2. An Approval Not Required (ANR) plan for 72 Marion Road dividing the parcel into a front residential lot and a 5.6-acre back lot was also endorsed.

Representatives for Highland Development discussed minor modifications at 667 County Road, including access drive pavement width adjustments due to Eversource utility poles and the removal of a planted island to facilitate emergency vehicle access. The board approved the alterations as minor modifications, agreed to require a $5,000 two-year landscape surety bond, and scheduled an on-site public inspection for November 6, 2026, at 4:30 PM. Additionally, the board granted a continuation request for the Walnut Plain Road Solar One LLC public hearing to November 10, 2026, extending the decision deadline to November 30, and voted to hold only one regular meeting per month in November and December on the second Tuesday of each month.

The most extensively debated matter was a continued public hearing regarding a definitive subdivision modification application by Robert R. Pellegrini for property on Gerrish Road and Bishop Road (Map 43A, Lot 65). The applicant proposed swapping open space parcels to establish a 3.578-acre buildable waterfront lot on Snipatuit Pond, offering a 30-year agricultural deed restriction over an active cranberry bog in return. Conservation Commission Chair Chris Grier and Rochester Land Trust Treasurer Russ Keeler spoke in opposition, stating that trading undisturbed waterfront open space for a chemically treated agricultural bog provided negligible conservation benefit. Following public hearing closure, board members deliberated on the original subdivision's intent of permanent open space and the unequal valuation. A motion to deny the modification passed in a 4-1 roll call vote, with four members voting to deny and the chair dissenting.

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