Planning Board

About

The Planning Board is mandated by state law to:

• prepare and maintain the Town’s Master Plan and Official Map
• prepare, adopt, and administer Subdivision Rules and Regulations
• review all subdivision plans submitted under state and local-by-law and regulations
• supervise construction of subdivision roads and drainage systems
• prepare and present zoning amendments at Town Meeting
• report to Town Meeting on all proposed zoning amendments, no matter by whom proposed
• act as special permit granting authority where designated in the Zoning by-law
• review site plans for non-residential, non-agricultural development

The Planning Board was first established in 1946 when the Town Meeting accepted the Subdivision Control Law. The first zoning by-law, adopted in 1956, established minimum lot area and frontage requirements. Zoning districts were adopted in 1963 based upon the Comprehensive Master Plan written by Harvard Professor Charles Eliot. The Town voted to increase membership on the Board from five to seven members in 1980. The Comprehensive Master Plan was updated in 1990.

The Planning Board is served by the Land Use Director/Town Planner.

Contact Information

Members

Planning Board Documents

1. 2025 Master Plan
   1. Master_Plan_StoryMap_Flyer.pdf
   2. Master_Plan_Inventory_&_Assessment_Report_revised_2024-06-07.pdf
   3. Master_Plan_Inventory_&_Assessment_Map_Package_revised_2024-06-07.pdf
   4. Groton_MP_Survey_Flyer_September_26,_2023.pdf
   5. Groton_MP_Summary_Handout_08.25.23.pdf
   6. Groton_MP_September_26,_2023_Outreach_Flyer.pdf
   7. Groton_Master_Plan_Timeline_Overview.pdf
   8. Groton_Master_Plan_Timeline_Overview_V5_6-13-2024.pdf
   9. Groton_Master_Plan_Timeline_Overview_09.26.2023_.pdf
   10. Groton_Master_Plan_Timeline_Overview_08.25.2023_.pdf
   11. Groton_Master_Plan_Survey_09.26.2023.pdf
   12. Groton_Master_Plan_Summary_Handout.pdf
   13. Groton_Master_Plan_FINAL_REPORT_2025-02-27.pdf
   14. Groton_Master_Plan_FINAL_DRAFT_REPORT_with_Appendices_11-05-2024.pdf
   15. Groton_Engagement_Plan___Revised_1.16.24.pdf
   16. DRAFT_Vision_Statement_and_Goals_6-13-2024.pdf
   17. Community_Forum_Presentation_2024-02-06.pdf
   18. Community_Forum_3_-_Agenda_6-20-2024.pdf
   19. Comment_Review_Matrix_01-27-2025.pdf
   20. Ad_for_Community_Forum_-_Feb._6_2024.pdf
2. 63 Gratuity Road – Definitive Plan – Gratuity Brook Farm Estates
   1. 63_Gratuity_Rd_Traffic_Peer_Review_Letter_Nitsch_2024-09-10.pdf
   2. 63_Gratuity_Rd_Stormwater_Report_Rev2.pdf
   3. 63_Gratuity_Rd_Stormwater_Peer_Review_Letter_Nitsch_2024-09-17.pdf
   4. 63_Gratuity_Rd_Rev2_Cover_Letter_02-25-2025.pdf
   5. 63_Gratuity_Rd_Response_to_Traffic_Comments_12-16-2024.pdf
   6. 63_Gratuity_Rd_Response_to_Civil_Review_Comments.pdf
   7. 63_Gratuity_Rd_Response_to_2nd_Stormwater_Ltr.pdf
   8. 63_Gratuity_Rd_O&M_Manual_LTPPP_Rev2.pdf
   9. 63_Gratuity_Rd_Definitive_Plan_Rev2_02-25-2025.pdf
   10. 63_Gratuity_Rd_Civil_Peer_Review_Letter_Nitsch_2024-09-11.pdf
   11. 63_Gratuity_Rd_-_Traffic_Impact_Assessment_04.23.24.pdf
   12. 63_Gratuity_Rd_-_Environmental_Impact_Report_08.01.24.pdf
   13. 63_Gratuity_Rd_-_Applications_for_Definitive_Plan_&_Special_Permit.pdf
3. 797 Boston Road – Age Restricted Housing
   1. Transmittal_Letter_revised_plans_4-17-24.pdf
   2. Response_to_Comments_-_Stormwater.pdf
   3. Response_to_Comments_-_Planning_Board.pdf
   4. Nitsch_stormwater_review_letter_3-18-2024.pdf
   5. Nitsch_second_review_letter_Planning_Board_4-25-2024.pdf
   6. Nitsch_first_review_letter_Planning_Board_3-28-2024.pdf
   7. MassDEP_Checklist_for_Stormwater_Report_4-17-2024.pdf
   8. Housing_Coordinator_comments_revised_4-26-2024.pdf
   9. GHA_letter_of_support_797_Boston_Rd_3-22-2024.pdf
   10. Four_Corners_Neighborhood_Association_second_letter_4-23-2024.pdf
   11. Four_Corners_Neighborhood_Association_comments_3-21-2024.pdf
   12. Existing_Conditions_Survey_Plan_Stamped_04-16-2024.pdf
   13. Commission_on_Accessibility_comments_3-28-2024.pdf
   14. 797_Boston_Rd_Supplemental_Data_Report_Full_-_revised_4-17-2024.pdf
   15. 797_Boston_Rd_SP_&_SPR_Application.pdf
   16. 797_Boston_Rd_Site_Plan_revised_4-17-2024.pdf
   17. 797_Boston_Rd_Continuance_Request_2.23.24.pdf
   18. 797_Boston_Rd_Architectural_Set_revised_4-17-2024.pdf
   19. 797_Boston_Rd_3-D_renderings.pdf
   20. 797_Boston_Rd_-_Water_Dept_comments_2-29-2024.doc
4. Firearm Sale Regulation Study Committee
   1. FSRSC_recommendation_memo_to_PB.pdf
   2. FSRSC_minutes_2024-1-25.pdf
   3. Firearms_Retail_Sales_Establishement_Zoning_Article_Draft_3-7-2024.pdf
   4. Firearm_Sale_Regulation_Study_Committee_agenda_2024-3-7.pdf
   5. Firearm_Sale_Regulation_Study_Committee_agenda_2024-2-8.pdf
   6. Firearm_Sale_Regulation_Study_Committee_agenda_2024-2-22.pdf
   7. Firearm_Sale_Regulation_Study_Committee_agenda_2024-1-25.pdf
5. Flood Plain Maps 2010
   1. Proposed_Zoning_Amendments.pdf
   2. 25017C0228E.pdf
   3. 25017C0226E.pdf
   4. 25017C0209E.pdf
   5. 25017C0208E.pdf
   6. 25017C0207E.pdf
   7. 25017C0206E.pdf
   8. 25017C0204E.pdf
   9. 25017C0203E.pdf
   10. 25017C0202E.pdf
   11. 25017C0201E.pdf
   12. 25017C0184E.pdf
   13. 25017C0182E.pdf
   14. 25017C0113E.pdf
   15. 25017C0094E.pdf
   16. 25017C0093E.pdf
   17. 25017C0091E.pdf
   18. 25017C0089E.pdf
   19. 25017C0088E.pdf
   20. 25017C0087E.pdf
   21. 25017C0069E.pdf
   22. 25017C0068E.pdf
   23. 2010_Map_Index_-_Map.pdf
6. Floodplain Overlay District 2025
   1. Floodplain_Overlay_District_amendment_revised_draft__2-19-25.pdf
   2. FEMA_Letter_of_Final_Determination_1-8-2025.pdf
7. Florence Roche Elementary School – Phase 2
   1. Florence_Roche_School_-_Phase_2_Application_Submission_-_4-14-2022.pdf
   2. Florence Roche School PHASE 2 SITE PLAN FINAL 6-22-2022.pdf
8. Groton Master Plans
   1. Volunteers_Needed_-_MasterPlanCommittee.pdf
   2. Groton_Master_Plan_2011.pdf
   3. Groton_Master_Plan_2011_Executive_Summary.pdf
   4. Groton_Master_Plan_2002.pdf
   5. Groton_Master_Plan_1990.pdf
   6. Groton_Master_Plan_1963.pdf
9. Hayes Woods – Pepperell Road – Definitive Plan
   1. Hayes_Woods_Pre-Development_Stormwater_Map_12122022.pdf
   2. Hayes_Woods_Post-Development_Stormwater_Map_12122022.pdf
   3. Hayes_Woods_-_Pepperell_Road_-_Storwmater_Report_12122022.pdf
   4. Hayes_Woods_-_Pepperell_Road_-_Definitive_Plan_12122022.pdf
10. Hazard Mitigation Plan & Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Report
    1. HMP-MVP_Final_Report_1-5-2021.pdf
    2. HMP-MVP_Appendices_1-5-2021.pdf
11. Housing Production Plan
    1. HousingProductionPlan_2020-2025.pdf
    2. DHCDApprovalLetter_2020-08-03.pdf
12. LA – Gray Building renovation 2024
    1. Lawrence_Academy_Aerial.pdf
    2. LA_Gray_Building_SPR_narrative.pdf
    3. LA_Gray_Building_SPR_application.pdf
    4. LA_Gray_Building_rendering_West.pdf
    5. LA_Gray_Building_rendering_South.pdf
    6. LA_Gray_Building_-_Site_Rendering_12-5-2024.pdf
    7. 20240924-Stormwater_Report.pdf
    8. 20240924-Planning_Drawings.pdf
13. MBTA Communities Multi-Family Zoning
    1. MBTA_Communities_Multi-Family_Overlay_District_Map_3-12-2025.pdf
    2. MBTA_Communities_Multi-Family_Overlay_District_DRAFT_3-31-2025.pdf
14. Minutes
    1. Planning_Board_approved_minutes_2024-12-19_id-15846.docx
    2. Planning_Board_approved_minutes_2024-12-05_id-15807.docx
    3. Planning_Board_approved_minutes_2024-11-14_id-15746.docx
    4. Planning_Board_approved_minutes_2024-10-24_id-15708.docx
    5. Planning_Board_approved_minutes_2024-10-10_id-15664.docx
    6. Planning_Board_approved_minutes_2024-10-03_id-15652.docx
    7. Planning_Board_approved_minutes_2024-09-26_id-15626.docx
    8. Planning_Board_approved_minutes_2024-09-12_id-15550.docx
    9. Planning_Board_approved_minutes_2024-08-22_id-15493.docx
    10. Planning_Board_approved_minutes_2024-07-25_id-15437.docx
    11. Access additional meeting minutes and agendas at the Meeting Center
15. Monarch Path Subdivision – Definitive Plan Modification
    1. Monarch_Path_Modification_-_Nitsch_review_letter_7-22-2024.pdf
    2. Monarch_Path_-_Revised_Easement_Plan_7-2-2024.pdf
    3. Monarch_Path_-_Revised_Drainage_Report_7-2-2024.pdf
    4. Monarch_Path_-_Revised_Drainage_Plan_7-2-2024.pdf
    5. Monarch_Path_-_Revised_Drainage_Details_Sheet_7-2-2024.pdf
    6. Monarch_Path_-_Post-Development_Drainage_Figure.pdf
16. Music Center at Indian Hill – Site Plans
    1. 1.12.2017 Compiled Final Control Plans.pdf
17. Music Center at Indian Hill – Traffic Study
    1. Traffic_Report_low_res_Pt_2_through_p_84.pdf
    2. Traffic_Report_low_res_Pt_1_through_p_20.pdf
    3. Technical_Appendix_Groton_MCIH_Pt_4.pdf
    4. Technical_Appendix_Groton_MCIH_Pt_3.pdf
    5. Technical_Appendix_Groton_MCIH_Pt_2.pdf
    6. Technical_Appendix_Groton_MCIH_Pt_1.pdf
    7. IHM_Traffic_Report_cover_page_&_TOC.pdf
    8. 2016-12-1_Traffic_Presentation.pdf
18. Proposed Zoning Amendments
    1. Solar_Parking_Canopy_Zoning_Article_2024_FTM_DRAFT2_8-12-2024.pdf
    2. Firearms_Retail_Sales_Establishement_Zoning_Article_Draft_with_Summary_8-12-.pdf
19. Ready Meadow Estates
    1. Stormwater_Report_2019-04-09.pdf
    2. Stormwater_Plan-04-09.pdf
    3. Reedy_Meadow_Estates_Full_Plan_Set_2007.pdf
20. Traffic Studies
    1. Walkability_Study_Scope.pdf
    2. Walkability_Assessment_Information_Sheet.pdf
    3. Traffic_Turning_Statistics.pdf
    4. Town_Center_Traffic_Calming_Final_Report_2008-05.pdf
    5. Station_Avenue_Traffic_Study_2007-02.pdf
    6. MRPC_Walkability_Report_full_Sept_2012.pdf
    7. Groton_Traffic_Statistics.pdf
21. Village at Shepley Hill – Definitive Plan
    1. Shepley_Hill_Definitive_Plans_rev-2021-02-05_reduced.pdf
    2. List_of_Waivers_(2.10.2021).pdf
    3. BULLET_POINTS_FOR_HEARING_WITH_PLANNING.pdf
    4. 8ii_-_2_WFA_L-2_02-05-21-Review.pdf
    5. 8i._WFA_L-1_02-05-21-Review.pdf
    6. 7.___Lighting_Plan.pdf
    7. 6332_SITE_cut-fill_2021-02-09.pdf
    8. 6___6332_Planning_Def.Sub_Response_Nitsch_2020-12-17.pdf
    9. 5__6332_FIRE_TRUCK_EXHIBITS.pdf
    10. 4___6332_Analysis_2021-02-05.pdf
    11. 3___6332_SMR_2021-02-05.pdf
    12. 2.5.21_Ltr_to_Planning_(Def_Sub).pdf
    13. 2__List_of_Waivers_(2.5.2021).pdf
    14. 1___Shepley_Hill_Definitive_Plans_20210205.pdf
22. Village at Shepley Hill Definitive Plan – Comments
    1. Shepley_Hill_response_to_BPine_comments_3.8.2021.pdf
    2. Paul_Funch_letter_to_PB_3-11-2021.pdf
    3. Nitsch_-_Shepley_Hill_Traffic_Peer_Review_Letter_12-15-2020.pdf
    4. Nitsch_-_Shepley_Hill_Definitive_Plan_Peer_Review_Third_Letter_3-11-2021.pdf
    5. Nitsch_-_Shepley_Hill_Definitive_Plan_Peer_Review_Second_Letter_2-11-2021.pdf
    6. Nitsch_-_Shepley_Hill_Definitive_Plan_Peer_Review_Letter_rev12-17-2020.pdf
    7. Nitsch_-_Shepley_Hill_-_Revised_DefPlan_email_comments_1-14-2021.pdf
    8. Liz_Alexander_comments_3-9-2021.pdf
    9. GCT_letter_to_Conservation_Commission_1-12-2021.docx
    10. Darcy_Donald_comments_3-10-2021.pdf
    11. Bob_Pine_comments_3-3-2021.docx
    12. Bob_Pine_comments_3-11-21.docx
    13. Bob_Pine_comments_2-8-2021.docx
    14. Bob_Pine_comments_12-14-2020.docx
    15. Bob_Lotz_comments_3-11-2021.pdf
    16. Board_of_Health_Memo_to_PB_12-17-2020.pdf
    17. Anna_Eliot_letter_to_PB_and_GCC_1-25-2021.docx
    18. Anna_Eliot_comments_2-10-2021.pdf
    19. Abutters_Response_to_GCT_3-11-2021.pdf
23. Zoning Bylaw
    1. Updated_Zoning_Bylaw_5-1-2021_ATM.pdf
24. Groton_Water_Resources_2013-01.pdf
25. Groton_Center_Design_Guidelines_2014-09.pdf
26. Flyer_for_Community_Forum_06-20-2024.pdf
27. Accessory_Dwelling_Units_Zoning_Amendment_Article_DRAFT_8-22-2024.pdf
28. 2019_Zoning_Map-Amendment.pdf