[Massplanners] Site Plan Review Trigger

[Schreiber, Gideon]

We have Site Plan Review in our Zoning Ordinance in Watertown, and it is specifically for larger scale projects and exempt uses of a certain scale.  Often the trigger is a change of use for something that might have an impact like industrial and the trigger is also over 4000 s.f of new construction.  Most Site Plan Review is only connected to uses that also require a Special Permit, except for Dover type uses.  There is a formal Site Plan Review Committee and we hold the meetings once a month as a prerequisite to larger scale submittal to the Board.

Gideon Schreiber, AICP, Deputy Director of Planning
(617) 972-6417 press 1 then 3

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From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Young, Kaitlin via MassPlanners
Sent: Tuesday, May 3, 2022 12:20 PM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: [Massplanners] Site Plan Review Trigger


Hello planning peeps!



I am conducting a little survey on the triggers for site plan review. Here in Fall River, Site Plan Review is completely internal and reviewed by staff, and almost everything that requires a building permit (think single family home addition, garage, etc.) regardless of location, requires Site Plan Review. As the Planning Department is comprised of only one planner traditionally (I am trying to get an assistant planner but we are lacking applicants) in a city of 90,000 people, it eats a significant amount of my time, so the office is unable to do a lot of planning functions (like proactive planning work vs. reacting to permitting requests).



I would love to hear about the triggers for SPR in your communities, so I can try and make the case for changing the process or further argue for additional staff (which I am already trying to argue for, but the more information I have, the better).



Thank you all so much! :)



Kaitlin R. Young

City Planner

City of Fall River

508-324-2561
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