Billerica Planning Board Continues Federal Street Housing Vote to March

BILLERICA -- February 9, 2026, Billerica Planning Board continues 266-unit Federal Street housing review to March 9 and launches battery storage zoning effort. The board voted 6-0 Monday to extend the site plan review of JLB Realty LLC's mixed-use development at 1 and 2 Federal Street to its March 9 meeting, with Vice Chair Blake Robertson presiding in place of Chair Michael Parker, who joined remotely. Attorney Mark Sack told the board the revised proposal adds 11 net units to reach 266 total, shifts the bedroom mix to 58 percent one-bedrooms, keeps parking and density within allowable limits, and will add flashing pedestrian beacons on Federal Street between the two buildings. Traffic peer reviewer Lisa Wan of Kimley Horn confirmed a signal warrant analysis based on full occupancy still does not support a traffic light at Federal and Concord Road. On battery energy storage, Planning Director Catherine Kolter and Building Commissioner Mark Lalumiere warned that the state Energy Facilities Siting Board could assume local siting authority as of July 1, 2026; the board directed staff to deliver a draft zoning regulation by March 2, targeting a spring Town Meeting warrant article with a March 23 submission deadline. The meeting also included competing open-microphone statements about alleged misconduct by Parker toward a member of the public at the November 10, 2025 meeting; the board voted unanimously to enter executive session on the complaint.