Growth Boundary Change for Stillwater Avenue VA Hospital Site
At a glance
What: a staff proposal to amend the growth boundary in the 2022 comprehensive plan to include two parcels off Stillwater Avenue and Kittredge Road, currently in a rural zone, where the VA is considering a hospital.
Where it stands: staff previewed the idea to the Planning Board on 2026-10-06 and members raised no objections; a neighborhood workshop was set for 2026-10-29.
Next: A formal Planning Board hearing with 30 days' notice, City Council adoption and state review, since it amends the comprehensive plan.
Details
Staff preferred changing the growth boundary to rezoning a rural parcel to a more intense zone; water and sewer could extend from Stillwater Avenue.
Members asked about alternate sites (staff said they are limited) and sewer capacity (engineering said phased capacity work is under way, with capacity expected by the end of the year).
Staff memo asked Council direction on moving the growth boundary to take in the western parcel; sewer is available to the eastern parcel. Would go through a comprehensive plan amendment with a Planning Board hearing and Council vote.