The individual who addressed the board emphasized the importance of having an expert in religious land use to navigate the complexities of the proposed project, which is expected to affect the entire community. In addition to the RLUIPA lawyer, the request included calls for independent studies on traffic, environmental concerns, and noise and light pollution. The speaker suggested that if necessary funds exceeded the Planning Board’s budget, the Council might vote to provide the necessary resources.

The Planning Board did not make an immediate decision regarding the request for a RLUIPA lawyer or the commissioning of independent studies. However, the matter is likely to be a topic of continued discussion as the application process moves forward.

The meeting also touched on administrative updates, including the upcoming presentation by the firm of Heyer, Gruel & Associates, scheduled for March 20th. This presentation aims to summarize the master plan update completed last year and to orient new board members to current projects. The board also convened in an executive session to discuss contract negotiations and professional services, the specifics of which were not disclosed to the public.