Planning Board approves Coptic church site plan in 4-1 vote

WAYLAND — February 11, 2026 — Wayland Planning Board approves Coptic church site plan 4-1 over chair's objection. The board signed off Tuesday on the St. Philopater Mercurius and St. Mina Coptic Orthodox Church at 169 Rice Road after a marathon line-edit of the draft decision. Chair Anette Lewis voted no, saying "changes that were supposed to have been made weren't made" in the plan set. Members Jesse Newberry, Robin Borgestedt, Ira Montague and Larry Kiernan voted yes. Five of the 24 senior apartments will be capital-A affordable at 80 percent of area median income, counted on the state Subsidized Housing Inventory and filled by lottery, after attorney Jonathan Silverstein confirmed the applicant would comply with Article 22. Retaining walls and perimeter fencing are capped at six feet; outdoor lighting must shut off at 9 p.m. or 30 minutes after the last service, whichever is later; the project must be completed within five years.