On April 22, the Planning Board unanimously voted “To further investigate the Building Commissioner’s determination that the proposed project is one building and to look at engaging an outside entity to assist the Board in that review.”
This has probably never happened in Hull before.
A developer went to the Building Department for a building permit and the Building Commissioner told him that 9 separate buildings would be counted as a single building. That declaration would allow a developer to bypass zoning regulations, including setback requirements and the 2-building limit per parcel.
You have to wonder — has a Hull building commissioner made this type of faulty decision before and the planning board overlooked it?
Then on May 14, the Planning Board unanimously voted to deny the permit because “the Applicant has failed to provide sufficient information to properly evaluate the Project. Additionally, the Applicant has failed to provide adequate time to review the new materials provided o April 29, 2026. The Board requested at least two additional meetings with the Applicant to discuss the revisions, however, the Applicant only agreed to a single additional meeting and has made it clear there would be no additional meetings.” The project was on the May 14 agenda but earlier that day, the developer’s team simply cancelled – they didn’t even bother to show up to what would be the last meeting.
No one seems to remember when a Hull planning board ever denied a permit. I’ve only heard members repeatedly praise themselves for accommodating developers.
This represents a major shift in focus for the board…from prioritizing the financial interests of private developers to prioritizing the welfare of the community and residents of Hull. I think this is a good thing.
And I hope this is the start of more focus on and enforcement of our zoning bylaws.