Manchester Planning Board unanimously approves 22 Union Street mixed-use special permits

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA — March 9, 2026 — Manchester-by-the-Sea Planning Board unanimously approved two special permits and a site plan for a mixed-use redevelopment at 22 Union Street and voted to send four zoning articles to April Town Meeting. Chair Sarah Creighton led the board through an extended public hearing on the 22 Union Street, LLC application, granting a section 4.2 special permit, a commercial parking waiver under section 6.1.8, and site plan review under section 12.6, with conditions requiring demolition completion by June 19, 2026, ADA-compliant sidewalk reconstruction, a designated project contact person, and a return to the board every six months during construction. Civil engineer Pete Blaisdell of Williams and Escaraguez described a stormwater solution using curb outlets to route roof drainage to the gutter line after discovering no municipal drainage infrastructure exists at the Union Street frontage. The board then opened and closed four public hearings on zoning proposals — creating a Town Center and Harbor's Edge downtown district, defining and permitting inns, establishing a new senior housing bylaw allowing up to 10 units per acre in any district with one affordable unit per five built, and modifying large ADU regulations in D1 and D2 zones — recommending all four to Town Meeting on unanimous votes.