Concord Planning Board Approves Master Plan Advisory Subcommittee, Sets September Open House

Planning Board · Meeting of July 27, 2026

Concord Planning Board endorses master plan advisory subcommittee and eyes September 19 for first public event. The board reached consensus at its July 27 meeting to establish an advisory subcommittee of roughly 12 to 13 members to guide the city's new comprehensive master plan process, following a two-hour introductory presentation by contracted planning firm UTL. The proposed subcommittee would draw representatives from six subject-matter boards and commissions — Conservation, Economic Development, Energy and Environment, Heritage, Recreation and Parks, and Transportation — alongside Planning Board members, with discussion of reserving seats for at-large public members including a young person.

Planning Board Chair Rich Whitman said he wanted "well-rounded people that can sit on both sides of an issue." City Council member Mark Davey, speaking as an individual, urged keeping the total at no more than 12 and supported public seats. The board also chose a neighborhood puzzle-piece logo in purple over a Merrimack River motif, and targeted September 19 as the primary date for a citywide visioning open house, with October 3 as the fallback.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,792 words

Source: the Planning Board meeting of July 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.