On the agenda: Essex meeting — Data Center (Aug 19)

TOWN OF ESSEX PLANNING BOARD AGENDA — WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 2026
The Public Meeting of the Planning Board will be held at the Essex Town Hall,
30 Martin Street in the second floor stage meeting room.
Remote access will be available through the following Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92967443164 .
Please note that while an option for remote attendance is being provided as a courtesy to the public, the meeting will not be
suspended or terminated if technological problems interrupt the virtual broadcast or its quality, unless otherwise required by law.
Members of the public with particular interest in any specific item on this agenda should make plans for in-person versus virtual
attendance accordingly.
While members of the public are invited to provide comment during the designated public comment period and during public
hearings, commenters are encouraged to also submit their thoughts to the Planning Board in writing by sending an email to
[email protected]. Emails and other written correspondence received by the Planning Board office in reference to a
specific project will be included with the meeting minutes and materials in the permanent record.
BUILDING INSPECTOR REPORT
BOARD REVIEW
• 2 & 4 King’s Court – Application for endorsement of plan believed not to require approval under the Subdivision Control
Law (also known as Approval Not Required [ANR]) by applicants 163 Southern Avenue Trust (Jonathan R. Knight and
Harley Rodriguez, Trustees) and 4 Kings Court Trust (Jordan and Evelyn Knight, Trustees) to alter the property
boundaries on existing lots at 2 King’s Court (Map 151 Lot 008) and 4 King’s Court (Map 151 Lot 007).
BOARD DISCUSSION
• North Shore Housing Discussion Group – Consider invitation received and decide whether to send a representative to
initial meeting being held September 2, 2026
• Division of Fisheries & Wildlife Draft Priority Habitat Map – Update on requested information regarding draft habitat
map (if available)
• House Numbering Procedures – Review process document developed by the Assessor’s Office and determine whether
to offer comment
• Bylaw Updates for Special (Fall) Town Meeting
o Revise: 6-10.1.3: Penalties - Increase fee for zoning violations as requested by Building Inspector Bill Sanborn;
update on communication with Town Counsel
o New: Short-term rental inspections - Add regulations for short-term rentals as requested by Building Inspector
Bill Sanborn; update on communication with Town Counsel
o New: Small clean energy infrastructure siting and permitting – Add regulations for fast-tracked permitting per
state requirement
▪ Update on communication with Town Administrator regarding assignment of Local Government
Representative
▪ Review draft article for addition of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to 6-4.3.2: Uses Requiring a
Special Permit
o New: Data Centers – Review draft article for addition of Data Centers to 6-4.3.2: Uses Requiring a Special Permit
and consider additional regulations based on sample provided by Town Planner Valerie Massard
o New: Inclusionary Zoning – Review draft bylaw provided by Town Planner Valerie Massard

Essex Planning Board Meeting Agenda for August 19, 2026
Posted August 17, 2026

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o

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Other potential updates including updates to Wetlands Overlay District and any changes related to state
updates to MGL 40A

Planning Board Rules and Regulations Update Project – Continued discussion

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT REPORT
• Correspondence
• Minutes – Board review of and vote on meeting minutes for August 5, 2026
• Additional updates as needed
BOARD MEMBERS’ COMMITTEE UPDATES
• Community Preservation Committee – Peter Levasseur
• Strategic Planning Committee – Peter Levasseur
• Affordable Housing Trust Committee – Shelly Bradbury
• TownGreen Cape Ann MARCH Initiative – Beth Walsh
ITEMS THAT COULD NOT REASONABLY ANTICIPATED BY POSTING DEADLINE
NEW TOPICS
PUBLIC COMMENT
ADJOURN
The next regular meeting of the Essex Planning Board will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2, 2026
in the Town Hall second floor stage meeting room at 30 Martin Street, Essex.

Essex Planning Board Meeting Agenda for August 19, 2026
Posted August 17, 2026

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