The Town of Concord's Planning Board meeting on October 1, 2024, highlighted significant challenges in achieving compliance with state housing laws, particularly regarding the requirement for 50% contiguous land. Board members expressed concerns about the feasibility of maintaining parity between the town's two sides while adhering to these regulations.

One board member emphasized the difficulty of the task, stating, "If we have to keep half of the area contiguous, it's just flatly impossible to have anything like parity between the two parts of Concord." This sentiment underscored the tension between state mandates and local needs, as members debated whether to proceed with planning efforts or wait for clearer guidance from the Housing and Community Development (HCD) department, which is currently backlogged with applications.

The board is set to submit a district compliance application by the end of the year, but uncertainty looms over when HCD will review it. One member suggested that waiting for HCD's feedback might be prudent, stating, "I think we should look at the exercise... but I'm not so sure that we need to bring it before the town at this point in time." This reflects a cautious approach to avoid potential backlash from residents concerned about rezoning areas where they currently live.

Additionally, discussions included the potential inclusion of the MCI Concord property in future zoning plans, which could help meet the 50% requirement but might disrupt the balance between the town's two sides. The board agreed to explore various scenarios, including the impact of rezoning commercial properties to maintain the town's tax base.

As the board navigates these complex issues, they remain committed to engaging the community and ensuring that any proposed changes are well-informed and compliant with state standards. The next steps will involve further analysis and possibly a special town meeting to address these pressing concerns.