East Bridgewater Planning Board Backs Third Try at State Housing Compliance

EAST BRIDGEWATER — April 6, 2026 — East Bridgewater Planning Board unanimously recommended four zoning measures to the May 11 Annual Town Meeting, including a third attempt to comply with the state MBTA Communities housing mandate. Chairman Kevin Riley and Vice Chairman Roy Gardner led the board through public hearings on the North Bedford Street Housing Overlay District, an amended Accessory Dwelling Unit bylaw, a rezoning of two Business 4 parcels along Route 18 to Business 2, and a special permit for D&L Appliance at 494 West Street to add a residential apartment under the town's new mixed-use zoning framework. Town Administrator Charlie Walsh told the board noncompliance with the state housing mandate has cost the town approaching $1 million in denied and unavailable grants, including $175,000 in Chapter 90 road funds that he said is permanently lost, and up to $150,000 in Green Communities energy efficiency money the town cannot access while out of compliance. Riley warned that continued rejection of the overlay district could result in a court-appointed special master dictating where the district goes, removing local input entirely. The D&L Appliance permit — approved unanimously with conditions including fire department plan review and a revised site plan showing reserved parking — is the first application under the mixed-use bylaw adopted at last fall's Special Town Meeting.