Newburyport public meetings in 2025

Local Historic District Commission

The commission will review lighting design guidelines as new business. Old business includes continued discussion of work without a permit at 2 Fruit St. and a Certificate of Appropriateness application for 16b Fruit St., both continued to January. The meeting also covers welcoming new commissioners, search status, and election of officers.

• 2 Fruit St. – Work without Permit (continued to January)
• 16b Fruit St. – Application for a Certificate of Appropriateness (continued)
• Review of lighting design guidelines

Planning Board

The Planning Board will hold continued public hearings on two major site plan reviews: Country Club Estates at 10 Woodman Way and NextGrid at 23 Low Street. The board will also vote on minutes from previous meetings and receive updates from the Chair or Planning Director.

Conservation Commission

The Newbury Conservation Commission will hold a public meeting to discuss a Notice of Intent for 5 Basin Street and a Request for Determination of Applicability for 23 Low Street, both continued from December 2. No certificates or minor modifications are on the agenda.

Zoning Board Of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a business meeting including deliberations on a case at 45 Storey Avenue (COMP-25-1), approval of minutes from December 9, 2025, and updates from the Chair or Planning Director.

• Deliberations on 45 Storey Avenue (COMP-25-1)
• Approval of minutes from 12/9/2025

Historical Commission

The Historical Commission will hold a public hearing for 18 Highland Avenue and conduct a Section 106 review for 37 ½ Forrester Street. They will also discuss a DCOD advisory review for 7-9 Lunt Street and a request for a CPA support letter for 26 Pleasant Street.

• Public hearing: 18 Highland Avenue
• Section 106 review: 37 ½ Forrester Street
• DCOD advisory review: 7-9 Lunt Street
• Request for letter of support for CPA application: 26 Pleasant Street
• Approval of minutes from 11/13/2025

Zoning Board Of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold public hearings on two continued items: a comprehensive permit for construction of 212 residential units at 45 Storey Avenue, and a special permit for non-conformities to construct an addition and garage at 28 Jefferson Street. The meeting also includes approval of minutes and updates from the Chair or Planning Director.

• COMP-25-1: Comprehensive permit for 212 residential units in one building at 45 Storey Avenue (continued from 11/12/2025)
• ZNC-25-34: Special permit for non-conformities to construct addition and new attached garage at 28 Jefferson Street (continued from 11/25/2025)
• Approval of minutes from November 25, 2025

Affordable Housing Trust

The Newburyport Affordable Housing Trust will meet to receive updates on the Newburyport Rental Assistance Program and the Brown School project, and to review a draft FY27 Community Preservation Act (CPA) application due December 12, 2025. The agenda also includes an update from the Senior Affordability Task Force and approval of prior meeting minutes.

• Newburyport Rental Assistance Update from Tiffany Nigro, Pettengill House
• Brown School Update
• FY27 draft CPA application (applications due 12/12/25)
• Senior Affordability Task Force Update

Planning Board

The Newburyport Planning Board will hold public hearings on two major development proposals: a Major Site Plan Review for NextGrid at 23 Low Street and a Special Permit and Definitive Subdivision for Caswell Development at 18 Highland Avenue. The board will also consider approval of minutes from previous meetings.

• NextGrid, 23 Low Street – Major Site Plan Review (SPR-25-5)
• Caswell Development, 18 Highland Avenue – Special Permit (PBSP-25-13) and Definitive Subdivision (DEF-25-2)
• Approval of minutes from August 20, November 13, and November 19, 2025

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on Notices of Intent for 5 Basin Street and 10 I Street, and a Request for Determination of Applicability for 23 Low Street. The meeting also includes discussion of landowner goals for the City Forest and approval of prior meeting minutes.

• 5 Basin Street – Notice of Intent (continued from 10/7/2025)
• 10 I Street – Notice of Intent
• 23 Low Street – Request for Determination of Applicability by NextGrid, Inc.
• Discussion: Landowner Goals for the City Forest

Zoning Board Of Appeals

The Newburyport Zoning Board of Appeals will hold public hearings on six special permits for non-conforming properties, including additions, renovations, and new construction that extend beyond existing setbacks. The board will also review the status of a preservation restriction and approve meeting minutes.

• ZNC-25-15: Special permit to remove roofline and add third floor at 9 Bromfield Street
• ZNC-25-32: Special permit to replace structure with 3-foot front yard extension at 9 Bowlen Avenue
• ZNC-25-31: Special permit to build mudroom extending rear setback at 44 Purchase Street, Unit 1
• ZNC-25-33: Special permit for new 2-family structure at 320 Merrimac Street with lateral/upward extensions
• ZNC-25-34: Special permit to modify garage and add attached garage at 28 Jefferson Street

Open Space Committee

The committee will review protected open space parcels, discuss trail and conservation restriction monitoring with the Conservation Commission, and get updates on the Open Space and Recreation Plan, a city trails wayfinding website, and Community Preservation Act applications. The meeting is largely organizational and informational.

• Review of city’s protected open space parcels and opportunities
• Update on City Forest Management Plan and Colby Farm sign
• Update of Open Space and Recreation Plan
• Development of city trails wayfinding website
• Community Preservation Act application and Open Space Reserve Fund

Fruit Street Historic District Commission

The Fruit Street Historic District Commission will consider four Certificate of Appropriateness requests for properties at 20, 16 (Unit B), and 1 Fruit Street, along with an update on 10 Fruit St. and a search for new commissioners.

• 20 Fruit St. – Certificate of Appropriateness request
• 2 Fruit St. – work without a permit
• 16 Fruit St., Unit B – Certificate of Appropriateness request
• 1 Fruit St. – Certificate of Appropriateness request

Planning Board

The Newburyport Planning Board will hold a public hearing on a major site plan review for Country Club Estates at 10 Woodman Way, and will also consider approval of minutes from four prior meetings.

• Public hearing on Major Site Plan Review (SPR-25-4) for Country Club Estates at 10 Woodman Way
• Approval of minutes from meetings on 8/20/2025, 9/3/2025, 9/17/2025, and 11/13/2025

Conservation Commission

The Commission will hold public hearings on two Notices of Intent: one for 5 Basin Street (continued from October 7) and one for 10 I Street. It will also receive an enforcement update on a mobile shed structure at 8 S Street and vote on authorizing the Conservation Agent to sign documents. Prior meeting minutes are scheduled for approval.

• Public hearing on Notice of Intent for 5 Basin Street (continued from 10/7)
• Public hearing on Notice of Intent for 10 I Street
• Enforcement update on 8 S Street (mobile shed structure)
• Vote to authorize Conservation Agent to sign documents on behalf of Commission

Planning Board

The Newburyport Planning Board will hold a joint public hearing with the City Council on a proposed amendment to zoning rules for accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The board will also consider an approval-not-required application for 42 Milk Street and 99-101 Prospect Street, and vote on the completeness of site plan applications for 10 Woodman Way.

Historical Commission

The Historical Commission will hold a public hearing on a development at 41 High Street (HCDD-25-18). The commission will also discuss a CPA support letter and compliance for Old South Church at 29 Federal Street, and consider approval of minutes from October 9, 2025.

• Public hearing on 41 High Street (HCDD-25-18)
• Old South Church, 29 Federal Street — CPA support letter and PR compliance
• Approval of minutes from October 9, 2025

Zoning Board Of Appeals

The Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a continued public hearing on a Comprehensive Permit for a 212-unit residential building at 45 Storey Avenue. Public comment will be taken at both the start and end of the hearing. The board will also continue a hearing on a mudroom addition at 44 Purchase Street to November 25, 2025.

• Comprehensive Permit for 212 residential units at 45 Storey Avenue (continued from 10/28/2025)
• Special Permit for a one-story mudroom at 44 Purchase Street, Unit 1 (continued to 11/25/2025)
• Approval of minutes from 10/28/2025