Board Approves Bank Sign Waiver, Delays Hearings

Planning Board · Meeting of July 14, 2026

DANVERS — The Danvers Planning Board approved a signage waiver for Winchester Savings Bank and continued two larger development hearings. Chair Jean Hartnett and members unanimously approved a waiver letting the bank's 44 Maple Street branch carry 24.8 square feet of signage, 4.8 square feet over the district's 20-square-foot cap, after members including Lou George objected that proposed "entrance in rear" wording was "confusing" and raised "a safety concern" about directing pedestrians into an alley. The board continued site plan review of 6 Hobart Street and special permits for a 12-unit townhouse project at 156 and 158 Maple Street to August 11, citing ongoing peer-review and stormwater comments.

Planning staff member Josh said a new application for 51 Newbury Street, an 88-unit conversion of a former hotel behind Costco, opens for review at the next meeting.

In the full story:

• 44 Maple Street Signage Waiver
• 6 Hobart Street Site Plan Review Continuance
• 156 and 158 Maple Street Special Permits and Site Plan Continuance
• Minutes Approvals
• Staff Update: Upcoming Applications and Land Use Summit Follow-up
• Adjournment
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 1,878 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of July 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.