[Massplanners] what is a minor change to a Special Permit

[Barbara Carboni]

Star,
I think this requires a hearing, as the Board is modifying the special permit in a way that is, or may become significant.  I think your board's policy of consistency is a good one - holding hearings on all minor changes (although I'm not certain this is a minor change). That way, you don't need to make a judgment call every time something minor comes up.  It serves the purpose of fairness, too.
Barbara

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Star Atkeson via MassPlanners
Sent: Monday, December 16, 2024 3:11 PM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: [Massplanners] what is a minor change to a Special Permit

Hello Planners,

We have a wedding venue in town who wants the Planning Board to amend their special permit to limit the number of events, as a (previously agreed) way to satisfy the Board of Health, that they do not need to be a public water supply. The change would be a sentence limiting the number of events to 60 per year, they currently only do about 20 anyways. There would be a second minor change to the specific public water supply condition in the permit.

Would you consider this a minor change, since nothing would tangibly be changing at the venue except they wouldn't need to use bottled water? Or is it a significant change, since it is stipulated by another board who seems to be looking for a legal document.

The applicant does not want to do the hearing process. In other recent Planning Board business we have held hearings for similar minor changes on more controversial situations, so on one hand we want to be consistent, on the other, if it is legal to go for it without the hearing, that is what the applicant would like.

Thank you for your advice,
Star



Star Atkeson

Secretary to The Boards

Town of Charlemont

(413) 339-4335 ex.8



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