Bellingham Planning Board Denies Blackstone Street Development Plan 4-0

BELLINGHAM — May 29, 2026 — Bellingham Planning Board votes 4-0 to deny the Blackstone Street improvement development and stormwater management permit. Town Planner Rachel, presenting a draft denial dated May 27, 2026, told the board that a special permit is discretionary and that the applicant had never formally sought waivers for items flagged in peer review. Board member Liz abstained after being ruled ineligible due to two missed meetings. In the same session, the board voted 5-0 to approve a major special permit modification for a property at 239 Maple Street, including a new condition requiring the applicant to install a historical placard for the displaced Quahill neighborhood. Toll Brothers representative Jeff Heidelberg updated the board on the Red Mill Subdivision major modification, with drainage peer review responses submitted and phasing conditions still unresolved — the matter was continued to June 25. The meeting also marked the final Planning Board session for two longtime members, Bill and Liz, who are not seeking re-election.