Planning Board hears solar rules, OKs Maple Road project
The Chelmsford Planning Board heard a briefing on new state clean energy permitting rules and approved several development items, including a 24 Maple Road redevelopment.
Planning Board · Meeting of October 28, 2026
CHELMSFORD — The Chelmsford Planning Board heard a briefing on new state clean energy permitting rules and approved several development items, including a 24 Maple Road redevelopment. Northern Middlesex Council of Governments Deputy Director Kelly Leinema told the board that state law now requires towns to process small solar and battery storage applications through a consolidated permitting system with a 12-month decision deadline, and recommended Chelmsford amend its zoning, which currently has no provisions for battery storage. The board unanimously ratified a 345 North Road special permit decision, correcting the required affordable units from four to three based on the project's 25 percent inclusionary requirement across 12 total units.
It also voted unanimously, 6-0, to close the hearing and grant three special permits and site plan approval for Lockheed Martin 24 Maple LLC's proposed 12,500-square-foot building at 24 Maple Road, with a board member calling it "a model application for people to look at." The board continued a disputed finished-attic modification at 65 Dunstable Road to November 18 pending a building inspector's determination on whether the space counts as a bedroom.
In the full story:
- NMCOG Presentation: Clean Energy Siting and Permitting Regulations
- 345 North Road: Ratification of Decision
- 24 Maple Road: Continued Public Hearing
- 65 Dunstable Road: Minor Modification Request
- Other Continuances and Approvals
- 20 Watershed Lane: Chelmsford Water District Garage Addition
- Planning Board Rules and Regulations Amendments
- Old and New Business, Liaison Updates
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report: 3,535 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of October 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.
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