[Massplanners] Applicant Amendments to Planning Board Applications/Permits

[Tim Czerwienski]

In Milton, most of our special permit (and some site plan approval) decisions will include language relative to amendments that set up a two-tiered system. “Substantial” amendments are subject to a public hearing just like the original application, with all of the usual notice requirements. “Insubstantial” or “minor” amendments are subject to whatever notice requirements the Board chooses.

If an amendment looks like a minor amendment, we’ll put it on the Planning Board agenda, ostensibly for them to make a determination as to whether it constitutes a substantial amendment or not. They’ll usually decide it’s minor, and make a decision that meeting. Applicants tend to know when they’re proposing a substantial amendment, and will just simply file an application for amendment and schedule a public hearing without going through that initial determination process.

Tim Czerwienski, AICP
Director of Planning & Community Development
Town of Milton | 525 Canton Avenue | Milton, Mass. 02186 | 617-898-4847



From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Corrin Meise-Munns via MassPlanners
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 4:11 PM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: [Massplanners] Applicant Amendments to Planning Board Applications/Permits

[External Email- Use Caution]
Hello,

I have a couple of questions regarding applicant amendments to previously granted permit applications (or those still in process):

  *   Do your municipal codes or PB rules and regulations define the term "amendment", specifically how substantial an amendment may be before it requires a new application/full review entirely?
  *   Do your Planning Depts / Planning Boards charge a fee for amendments, separate from the original application fee? We have delineated fees for waivers and the applications themselves, and while our regulations do account for the submission of amendments, there is no fee associated.
For context, I am especially interested in regards to Site Design Review, and also generally interested if the answer varies for type of application/permit sought.

Thanks,
Corrin

--
Corrin Meise-Munns (she/her)
Assistant Town Manager / Director of Planning & Community Development
Town of Longmeadow, MA
(413) 565-4110
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