Planning Board reorganizes; votes down family-definition petition.
Planning Board rejects citizens petition on family definition. The board unanimously voted 0-7 against recommending Article 26 to Town Meeting, which sought to overturn the Fall 2025 adoption of a revised "Family" definition aligned with Massachusetts state law and attorney general guidance. Chair
Planning Board · Meeting of April 8, 2026
CHELMSFORD — Planning Board rejects citizens petition on family definition. The board unanimously voted 0-7 against recommending Article 26 to Town Meeting, which sought to overturn the Fall 2025 adoption of a revised "Family" definition aligned with Massachusetts state law and attorney general guidance. Chair Chris Lavallee, Vice-Chair Joel Luna, and Clerk Marcie Comtois were each reelected unanimously.
Director Evan Belansky reported the town submitted a state grant application on March 27 requesting up to $50,000 to advance the managed growth strategy, with total Phase 1 costs of $96,000. The board discussed zoning updates on child care facilities, special permit procedures, and inclusionary housing (PILO) provisions, prioritizing affordable units while preserving project-specific discretion, with longer-term updates to follow Housing Authority consultation.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 595 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of April 8, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Members read the rest of this story and every Chelmsford 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 Chelmsford who follows town government? Share Townbrief Chelmsford: they can sign up free.