Cohasset Planning Board Endorses 2026-2036 Open Space Plan Unanimously

COHASSET — April 1, 2026 — Cohasset Planning Board unanimously endorses 2026-2036 Open Space Plan and flags Wheelwright Park zoning gap. The board voted 4-0 at its April 1 Zoom meeting to authorize Chair Kevin Heine to sign a letter of support for the draft plan — a 180-page report prepared by consultant Beals and Thomas — so it can be submitted to the state before the April 20 public comment deadline. Vice Chair Clark Brewer pressed the board to consider rezoning Wheelwright Park from its current Residence B designation to open space, warning that existing zoning provides no firm barrier against future municipal uses such as the cell tower installation approved several years ago; Town Planner Cassandra Thayer confirmed she and Heine had already discussed the idea and noted that plan action item 1B specifically calls for land protection of the park for passive recreation. Member Birgit Schmidt-Wesche, who served as the board's representative during the plan's drafting, suggested adding the word "healthy" to the letter's quality-of-life language, which the board accepted before voting. The board also took a 4-0 vote to return dormant deposit balances from nine completed planning applications and reviewed — but took no formal action on — a redline revision to the commercial district design guidelines, which will return for final approval at a later meeting.