Summary
Five zoning text changes — consolidating educational and religious uses, allowing personal services and mixed-use in commercial areas, and setting buffer distances for cigar bars and kennels — now head to the Town Council for final action.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 8
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 13, 2026.
Impact analysis
Supporters and opponents alike tied it to potential tax burden and traffic impacts along Route 28.
Businesses get clearer, more flexible zoning options; residents get buffer protections for late-night cigar bars and kennels.
Residents concerned about late-night entertainment venues say the dropped nightclub language leaves a gap.
Mentions & discussions (8)
Planning Board (Regular) - Oct 13, 2026
The council passed five zoning amendments on September 28 with tweaks — dropping cigar bars from one amendment and tightening ground-floor use rules for mixed-use buildings. A board member noted the new language may contradict the Master Plan's intent for active frontage.
Town Council - Sep 28, 2026
State law forces Salem to allow multi-family housing in commercial zones, and the Council adopted its own ordinance implementing it — with a tweak so lobbies can't count as commercial space. Expect debate over Route 28 development to continue.
Planning Board (Regular) - Aug 25, 2026
Five zoning text changes — consolidating educational and religious uses, allowing personal services and mixed-use in commercial areas, and setting buffer distances for cigar bars and kennels — now head to the Town Council for final action.
Planning Board (Regular) - Aug 11, 2026
The town's comprehensive zoning update is posted for public comment through Thursday, with staff leading the work and the Planning Board in a consulting role.
Planning Board (Regular) - Jul 28, 2026
Five proposed changes are on the table: consolidating educational and religious uses, allowing personal services in Business Office districts, allowing mixed-use development in Commercial districts, and setting proximity rules for kennels and cigar bars near residential areas. Discussion continues August 11.
Planning Board (Regular) - Jul 14, 2026
Five zoning amendments — from consolidating educational and religious uses to keeping kennels and cigar bars away from homes — were heard but continued to July 28. A resident asked why 'nightclub' language was dropped from the original proposal, and the Board will consider drafting a definition.
Planning Board (Regular) - Jun 9, 2026
The zoning currently reads '35 feet or 2.5 stories,' and developers keep hitting the story limit even under 35 feet. The board is debating whether to allow three stories in some districts and wants input from lake associations.
Zoning Board of Adjustment (Regular) - Jun 2, 2026
The Planning Board is working on cleaning up the use table, allowing service uses downtown, and implementing HB 631's mixed-use requirement. ZBA members also floated ADU ordinance changes.
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