Homeowners on Duxbury’s vulnerable Gurnet Road are increasingly choosing to lift their properties above the flood zone rather than rebuilding from scratch, a trend the Planning Board signaled it would like to see continue. At a meeting on April 13, the board reviewed plans for 83 Gurnet Road, where Paul and Sandra Reichman proposed elevating an existing home by more than seven feet to meet modern building codes and FEMA regulations. The project, which requires a variance for a medium roof height of 33.2 feet, was framed by board members as a vital step in coastal resilience.

Chair Kristin Rappe expressed support for the preservation effort, noting, I'm curious, is this one of the first raises you guys have done? I'm going to interject an opinion here. Hopefully we'll see more of this because in some ways this is a retreat and that will actually help preserve the property. Representative Kevin Dolan explained that the structure remains intact during the process, stating, We are not destroying the house; we're just picking it up, raising the foundation, and putting the house back down. Motion Made by T. Carpenter to recommend the project to the Zoning Board of Appeals Passed 4-0-1, with W. Dennison abstaining.

The board also reviewed a more intensive transformation at 185 Gurnet Road, where Nate and Julie Tilden plan to demolish an existing home and replace it with a larger structure resting on 30 piers. Designer Heidi Condon emphasized the environmental benefits of the pier system, noting, We're proposing a new home that's 3,784 square feet. It's 2,000 feet larger, but it sits on 30 piers. So, we're going from 800 square feet of impervious to 30 square feet. Despite the reduction in impervious surface, the board noted the significant increase in building volume. Motion Made by L. Sirois to defer the case to the ZBA Passed 7-0.

While coastal property management dominated the start of the meeting, the board shifted focus to a looming change in state authority over local energy projects. Planning Director Matthew Heins briefed the board on new state rules (225 CMR 29) that require towns to appoint a Local Government Representative (LGR) to handle consolidated applications for clean energy projects. The rules, which take effect between July and October, could streamline large-scale projects while bypassing some traditional local oversight. Member Tag Carpenter raised alarms about the complexity of the new 20-page state application, asking, Does the 20-page application replace other application requirements for each board? It seems like a really significant change to me and I don't want to be sleepwalking into this.

This wariness follows recent town-wide tension over Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) bylaws, which the board recently recommended for postponement to ensure local fire safety and noise concerns were addressed. Director Heins noted that Town Manager René Read is aware of the requirement and will likely appoint the Building Commissioner as the LGR. This state-level pressure arrives as Duxbury navigates a tight fiscal landscape, including a $1.89 million operational override intended to stabilize town staffing and services.

Fiscal complications also emerged regarding the McFarland Farms subdivision, where the Homeowners Association (HOA) is seeking the release of $10,260 in remaining surety funds. HOA representative Emanuel Lording explained that residents spent $22,000 out of pocket to finish road paving after the developer exited the project. The road is done. Now we're just trying to get paid back a little bit of what we paid out of pocket, Lording said. However, the town faces a legal hurdle, as Town Counsel has advised that funds cannot be transferred directly to an HOA without the completion of official as-built plans and infrastructure approval. Director Heins committed to consulting further with legal counsel to find a path forward for the residents.

The board also completed its annual reorganization, unanimously electing Kristin Rappe to continue as Chair. Tag Carpenter was elected Clerk, and Wayne Dennison was elected Vice Chair. Following the reorganization, the board discussed filling a vacant seat, with Dennison suggesting the town look for a new generation of volunteers. I'd like to find people who are younger than I am who would like to be members of this board with the carrot that it's only a two-year term, which makes it much more palatable, Dennison said. Motion Made by L. Sirois to elect K. Rappe as Chair Passed 7-0. Motion Made by M. Ray to elect T. Carpenter as Clerk Passed 7-0. Motion Made by M. Ray to elect W. Dennison as Vice Chair Passed 7-0.

In other business, the board continued to track the implementation of the town’s Comprehensive Plan. Director Heins reported that while progress is being made across departments, the feedback from staff has been the most illuminating part of the process. Member Steve Gandt, who volunteered to represent the board on the Open Space Committee, noted the importance of staying engaged with these long-term goals. Member Matthew Ray participated in the review of a rebuild at 48 Mayflower Avenue, where representative Mark Murphy detailed plans to replace a 1924 structure. We're looking to seek a special permit to raise and rebuild an existing non-conforming home... Overall, we're decreasing the non-conforming area, Murphy said. Motion Made by M. Ray to defer the Mayflower Avenue case to the ZBA Passed 4-0-1.