Carver Planning Board Approves High Street Duplex, Signs Two Solar Decisions

CARVER — June 10, 2025 — Carver Planning Board approves High Street duplex, finalizes solar decisions, and eyes MBTA zoning deadline. The board unanimously granted a special permit to property owner Joe Memo to construct a duplex at 86 High Street, with the formal applicant listed as Christine Coolstring, after the Conservation Commission had already issued an order of conditions approving the project. Members praised the architectural renderings and advised Memo to check with the Historic District Commission about the existing structure, which may be more than 100 years old, before demolishing it. The board also endorsed an Approval Not Required lot-line adjustment for three parcels at 19 Rochester Road and signed two special permit decisions for Meadows Solar facilities at 19C Ward and 96 Purchase Street, the latter associated with Renewable Energy Partners, adding a "danger, do not enter" pond signage condition after members flagged winter-access safety concerns. Town Planner warned the board that Carver's failure to comply with the state MBTA Communities zoning law by December 31, 2025, would cost the town all discretionary state grants and potentially trigger legal action: "There isn't really a difference in the outcome if we take the path the planning board has set and not submit an article at all or go to town meeting and it gets voted down — you're not in compliance." All members indicated availability for a proposed July 1 joint meeting with the Select Board to weigh options.