Harvard Planning Board elects McCormack chair; sets priorities for zoning overhaul
Harvard Planning Board convened for strategic planning and unanimously elected John McCormack as Chair, Doug Thornton as Vice Chair, and Richard Abt as Clerk. The board assigned liaisons across ten town commissions and absorbed new Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A amendments effective July 1,
Planning Board · Meeting of July 27, 2026
Harvard Planning Board convened for strategic planning and unanimously elected John McCormack as Chair, Doug Thornton as Vice Chair, and Richard Abt as Clerk. The board assigned liaisons across ten town commissions and absorbed new Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40A amendments effective July 1, 2026, affecting notice requirements, nonconforming use protections, variance standards, and zoning freeze periods. Community and Economic Development Director Jenny Gingras signaled the board will conform Harvard's zoning to the Form Based Code at its August 17 meeting.
The board prioritized five fall town meeting warrant articles: MBTA Communities Multi-Family Overlay District, Clean Energy Facilities, Zoning Act conforming amendments, use regulations updates, and dimensional regulations, with Master Plan Supplement completion targeted for September.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 397 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of July 27, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Members read the rest of this story and every Harvard meeting we cover, in full.
Become a memberAlready a member? Sign inA 30-day free trial needs a payment method. After it, your membership renews at the price shown at checkout until you cancel, which you can do anytime from your account. Subscription terms
Share this brief
Know someone in Harvard who follows town government? Share Townbrief Harvard: they can sign up free.