Planning Board approves dredging permit and advances zoning overhaul.
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.
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Source: the Planning Board meeting of January 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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