Cohasset Approves New Development Impact Mitigation Bylaw at Special Town Meeting
Town Seeks Additional Liquor Licenses to Boost Local Restaurants
COHASSET - December 9 - Cohasset residents voted Monday night to give town officials more authority over large development projects and to pursue additional liquor licenses for local restaurants.
At a special town meeting held at Cohasset High School, voters unanimously approved a new Development Impact Mitigation bylaw that will require developers to assess and mitigate impacts on infrastructure, the environment and neighborhoods for significant projects.
The bylaw applies to new construction, additions or expansions requiring a special permit or site plan review, as well as subdivisions creating three or more lots. Developers must now submit a Development Impact Assessment identifying effects on town resources, infrastructure, abutting properties and the surrounding area.
Planning Board Chair Tom Callahan said the bylaw aims to ensure development aligns with Cohasset's long-term goals.
"Our intent is to support growth while safeguarding essential services and community resources," Callahan said. "This proactive measure will help balance the needs of development with our commitment to maintaining a high standard of public infrastructure and services."
Based on the assessment the Planning Board, or where a special permit is required the Zoning Board of Appeals, can impose conditions requiring mitigation "reasonably related to and proportionate to any impact presented by the proposed development," according to the bylaw text.
Potential mitigation measures include road improvements, sidewalk installations, replacement of cleared vegetation, and protection of historic resources. Developers may also make financial contributions to the town for planned improvement projects impacted by their development.
In another unanimous vote, residents authorized the Select Board to petition the state legislature for five additional all-alcohol licenses for on-premises consumption at restaurants.
Select Board Chair Ellen Maher said the additional licenses aim to support existing restaurants and attract new ones, particularly in underserved areas like Cohasset Harbor.
"We've seen the vibrancy the mix of restaurants bring to our village," Mahar said. "Restaurants contribute to the local tax levy with the meals tax as well as spurring our local economy."
Mahar noted that 55% of respondents to a recent harbor survey wanted more dining options there. She said the licenses would allow officials to look at "Cohasset as the whole, not just the village."
The town currently has 14 all-alcohol on-premise licenses, all of which have been distributed. Five beer and wine licenses are available, with three already issued.
Mahar said 21% of on-premise alcohol licenses are held by private clubs, including two of three licenses in the harbor area and one of two in North Cohasset.
In other business, voters approved amendments to the South Shore Vocational Technical High School regional agreement. The changes adjust the debt share calculation to a four-year rolling average.
*editor’s note: Hanson, Scituate, Rockland, and Whitman approved the amendment previously. Abington failed to achieve a quorum and could not vote. With Cohasset and Hanover approving the amendment on Dec. 9 the agreement is approved by the necessary 2/3 of member towns.
Residents also approved updates to bylaws regulating accessory dwelling units, bringing Cohasset into compliance with the state's new Affordable Homes Act. The changes allow ADUs up to 900 square feet by right, with units up to 1,250 square feet possible by special permit.
The Special Town Meeting saw all 18 warrant articles pass. Select Board member Jack Creighton praised residents for braving rainy weather to attend.
"If there's any applause that goes for all of you who came out on this rainy night so we could get this meeting done," Creighton said.