Planning Commission News: Commission recommends approval of a Specific Plan for the New England Theological Seminary at the site of the former Pine Ridge School

At its hearing on October 6, 2015, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a Specific Plan to allow the New England Theological Seminary (NETS) to establish a residential theological seminary at the site of the former Pine Ridge School. A Specific Plan would change the zoning on the property to allow the NETS use on the property, which is otherwise not allowed. The Pine Ridge School, in addition to having been established prior to zoning in the area, might have qualified for a partial exemption from local zoning under state law. For those reasons, establishing a new type of school like a residential theological seminary requires a Specific Plan approval to amend the zoning bylaw for the property.

Overall Plan as submitted by NETS

The Specific Plan now needs to be reviewed and heard by the Selectboard. If the Selectboard approves the Specific Plan, NETS will be able to proceed with an application before the Development Review Board.