Planning Board approves dredging permit and advances zoning overhaul.
Planning Board approves special permit for harbor maintenance dredging and advances downtown zoning. The board voted 6 to 1 with one abstention to authorize the Town of Manchester's maintenance dredging project at the harbor entrance and Proctor Cove under a plan prepared by Foth dated September
Planning Board · Meeting of January 12, 2026
MANCHESTER BY THE SEA — Planning Board approves special permit for harbor maintenance dredging and advances downtown zoning. The board voted 6 to 1 with one abstention to authorize the Town of Manchester's maintenance dredging project at the harbor entrance and Proctor Cove under a plan prepared by Foth dated September 17, 2025. Chair Sarah Creighton led the board through simultaneous approvals of two lot-line adjustments, removal of Elm Street from the proposed Town Center District, and adoption of language to create exceptions for downtown principal buildings per lot rather than strike existing rules wholesale.
The board tabled hotel zoning for additional vetting and established a communications working group to develop outreach materials before presenting senior housing proposals to the public.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 615 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of January 12, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Members read the rest of this story and every Manchester-by-the-Sea meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this brief
Know someone in Manchester-by-the-Sea who follows town government? Share Townbrief Manchester-by-the-Sea: they can sign up free.