Carver Select Board Unanimously Approves 40R Smart Growth Zoning Application for State Review

CARVER — June 16, 2026 — Carver Select Board advances 40R Smart Growth zoning application, promotes two officers. The board voted unanimously Tuesday to submit an application to the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities seeking a determination of eligibility for a proposed Chapter 40R Smart Growth Zoning Overlay District at 130 North Main Street — a move that could yield up to $1.2 million in state incentive payments while satisfying the MBTA Communities Act, under which Carver is currently under lawsuit for non-compliance. Town Planner Sean Lewis warned that absent the 40R overlay, the landowner could pursue a Chapter 40B development allowing up to 200 units while bypassing local height, setback, and wetlands zoning requirements. The 40R overlay, if approved by town meeting after further public hearings, would cap buildings at three stories and allow up to 302 units by right. Board members flagged the absence of a water drawdown study near the North Carver Water District well as a likely issue at town meeting. The board also unanimously promoted Officers Krista Jean Harrell and Joshua McDermott to police sergeant and appointed Permanent Intermittent Officer Michael Shaw, a 36-year Carver resident, as a full-time officer effective July 19.