Planning and Permitting

Over a century and a half, the A.D. Makepeace Company has accumulated some 14,000 acres in southeastern Massachusetts, making the company one of the largest private landowners in the state. The original intent for these acquisitions was to provide a buffer between agricultural uses, including water sources, and other uses. Modern zoning regulations have provided those protections by law.

As a result, the company has new options for the future of its excess landholdings, and has created development plans that use the property in unique, and always respectful, ways.

The company’s land use development permitting efforts are governed by two authorities: local building and zoning requirements, and the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), which evaluates development impacts of large-scale projects on traffic, natural resources, and historic and cultural resources.

Tihonet Mixed-Use Development

The A.D. Makepeace Company owns approximately 6,000 contiguous acres in the towns of Wareham, Plymouth, and Carver, and plans to advance some development in each of those communities. Because of the magnitude of the development and the planned 25-year buildout process, the company has been directed to engage in an extensive public outreach effort as each new phase of each project is introduced.

This unique approach to development assures continued public input and awareness, with public meetings held on a quarterly basis to provide plan updates and respond to questions.

The most recent element of the project to advance is Phase C-6, calling for the installation of an 8.4 megawatt solar facility on a 49.5-acre portion of the property located within the town of Carver, across Federal Road from the Ocean Spray receiving plant.

All permitting activities for this project with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Unit are detailed at this link.

The A.D. Makepeace Company filed an Expanded Environmental Notification Form for this project on November 28, 2016. The documents can be viewed by clicking on the links below.

Phase C-6 Expanded Environmental Notification Form

Phase C-6 Cover Letter

Phase C-6, Part 1

Phase C-6, Part 2