Planning Board Unanimously Approves Rogers Street Driveway, Opens Main Street Development Talks

WEST NEWBURY -- January 6, 2026, West Newbury Planning Board clears two land-use applications and opens talks on a possible 26-unit open-space development at 187 Main Street. The board voted unanimously at its January 6 meeting to endorse an Approval Not Required land-swap plan from the Elwell family and to approve a Scenic Roads bylaw application from Stephen Hayden to open a 30-foot driveway cut on Rogers Street, with removed stones to be reincorporated into the existing wall. The lengthier discussion centered on a pre-application conference with developer John Sarkis and engineer Jay Polakowicz of Hancock Associates, who presented a yield plan showing 13 duplex lots, 26 total units, and an Open Space Preservation Development concept plan preserving scenic Main Street frontage, including a large beech tree at the proposed entrance. Clerk Raymond A. Cook flagged ambiguous bylaw language on how the Basic Maximum Number is calculated, saying "it's a huge difference whether it's 13 or 26"; the board reached informal consensus on 26 as the working figure while flagging potential town counsel review. The board also voted unanimously to direct staff to draft a cannabis-establishment setback of 250 feet from the two existing licensed childcare facilities in the business district, moving the amendment toward the spring Town Meeting warrant. Abutter Carl Mosley of 175 Main Street called the Sarkis project "an asset to the town" during public comment.