[Massplanners] What comes first - ZBA or SPR?

Sun Jan 14 15:38:05 EST 2024

In my experience as both planning staff and board member (in Medford and Somerville), in depends on who is the Site Plan Review Authority. If it's the Planning Board that grants a Site Plan Approval, all the dimensional relief needs to first be obtained before they can approve a site plan as they don’t have authority to approve a site plan that violates zoning.

In my opinion, best practice is concurrent review—open the public hearings to get board and public input and a temperature read of how the boards are leaning (and allow the applicant to revise drawings if needed) and continue the PB hearing for the vote until after the ZBA grants the relief.

If Planning Board is advisory, then they can issue their recommendation to the ZBA as the PB recommendation isn’t official approval.

Danielle Evans, AICP (she/her)

Senior Planner

Office of Planning, Development, + Sustainability | City of Medford

Medford City Hall - Room 308, 85 George P. Hassett Drive
Medford, MA 02155

PDS front desk: 781-393-2480<mailto:781-393-2480> | devans at medford-ma.gov<mailto:devans at medford-ma.gov> (email is the best way to reach me)

City Hall Hours: Mon/Tues/Thurs: 8:30am-4:30pm; Wed: 8:30am-7:30pm; Fri: 8:30am-12:30pm

Please note: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts considers most electronic communications to and from public employees to be public records and disclosable under the Massachusetts Public Records Law and its regulations.

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From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> on behalf of massplanners-request at masscptc.org <massplanners-request at masscptc.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 13, 2024 12:01 PM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: MassPlanners Digest, Vol 33, Issue 9

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Today's Topics:

   1. Re: Fee Schedules (Amy Upton)
   2. What comes first - ZBA or SPR? (Michael McCarthy)
   3. EOHLC is Hiring: Community Grants Coordinator
      (Zamborlini, Filipe (EOHLC))
   4. Re: What comes first - ZBA or SPR? (Jeff Lacy)
   5. Re: What comes first - ZBA or SPR? (Ken Buckland)
   6. Re: What comes first - ZBA or SPR? (Michelle Tyler)
   7. Re: What comes first - ZBA or SPR? (Gary Ayrassian)
   8. Senior Housing Planner Job Opportunity @ BRPC (BRPC)

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Message: 1
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 18:21:47 +0000
From: Amy Upton <aupton1970 at outlook.com>
To: "massplanners at masscptc.org" <massplanners at masscptc.org>, Douglas
        Finn <Administration at westhamptonma.org>
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Fee Schedules
Message-ID:
        <PH7PR16MB60416AB2189E76342B4C7BA5C26F2 at PH7PR16MB6041.namprd16.prod.outlook.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi Doug,  Tisbury is considering some adjustments.  I'm gathering data from other Island Towns to compare and discuss.  I'll send you what I come up with and would be very interested to see your data.  The Planning Board can spend months on a single Application.  It would be reasonable if the permit fee could at least cover the postage and advertising of hearing notices.  Thanks, Amy
________________________________
From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> on behalf of Douglas Finn via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 9, 2024 11:58 AM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: [Massplanners] Fee Schedules

Hey there -

Reaching out to folks in smaller towns ( -- 5,000 persons or less):

Was hoping you could respond with your application fee schedule -- what do you charge applicants for

- Special Permits
- ANR plans
- Subdivision Plans
- "De Minimis Determinations"
- Other applications (curb cuts, site reviews for solar, etc.)

Please note if or how you assess a 'per lot created' charge...

Thanks to all!

- Doug.
-----------------------------
Douglas Finn, Town Coordinator
Town of Westhampton
1 South Road
Westhampton, MA 01027
413-203-3086

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Message: 2
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:01:40 +0000
From: Michael McCarthy <Michael.McCarthy at newbedford-ma.gov>
To: "massplanners at masscptc.org" <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: [Massplanners] What comes first - ZBA or SPR?
Message-ID:
        <PH0PR09MB11117395E9FC233F8182CD1A2D96F2 at PH0PR09MB11117.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>

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A Friday question for all of you with site plan review done by the Planning Board - when a project requires relief from the ZBA and site plan review, which do you recommend applicants do first and why?

Enjoy your weekend,
Mike McCarthy
Asst. City Planner
City of New Bedford

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Message: 3
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:24:06 +0000
From: "Zamborlini, Filipe (EOHLC)" <Filipe.Zamborlini at mass.gov>
To: "massplanners at masscptc.org" <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: [Massplanners] EOHLC is Hiring: Community Grants Coordinator
Message-ID:
        <BY5PR09MB59884EFA1C12B468EB08B4639C6F2 at BY5PR09MB5988.namprd09.prod.outlook.com>

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Hello MassPlanners,

The EOHLC Capital Grants team is growing and we are hiring a Community Grants Coordinator to assist our capital grants efforts. Check out the job posting, apply if you think this is a good fit for you, and please share with your networks if you know someone who might be a good fit: Job Description - Community Grants Coordinator (240000E0) (taleo.net)<https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=240000E0> (https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=240000E0).

Best,
Filipe

Filipe Zamborlini (he/him/his)
Manager, Community Assistance Unit
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC)
100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300
Boston, MA  02114
filipe.zamborlini at mass.gov<mailto:filipe.zamborlini at mass.gov>

Please note: HLC staff are working remotely, I check email frequently and will respond as soon as possible.

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Message: 4
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:30:19 +0000
From: Jeff Lacy <ruralplanningassociates at crocker.com>
To: Michael McCarthy <Michael.McCarthy at newbedford-ma.gov>
Cc: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] What comes first - ZBA or SPR?
Message-ID:
        <0100018cff5e4ccd-46dd32d4-24f9-4972-9d5c-7e96abc3f468-000000 at email.amazonses.com>

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If it?s a variance from ZBA, probably makes sense wrap that up first because they?re hard to grant. Then, if successful, go invest in site plans and take up that reviewing board?s time.

Jeff Lacy
Rural Planning Associates
(413) 230-9693
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jan 12, 2024, at 3:03?PM, Michael McCarthy via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
>
> ?
> A Friday question for all of you with site plan review done by the Planning Board ? when a project requires relief from the ZBA and site plan review, which do you recommend applicants do first and why?
>
> Enjoy your weekend,
> Mike McCarthy
> Asst. City Planner
> City of New Bedford
>
> --
> MassPlanners mailing list
> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
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Message: 5
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 15:34:08 -0500
From: Ken Buckland <ken.buckland at gmail.com>
To: Michael McCarthy <Michael.McCarthy at newbedford-ma.gov>
Cc: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] What comes first - ZBA or SPR?
Message-ID: <0B94E1DD-6771-40EA-9105-441210EAF217 at gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Wareham transfers responsibility for SPR over to the ZBA when relief is needed so the applicants may enjoy ?one stop shopping.?  However ConCom must ?go first? and issue a finding before the SPR may be approved in all cases.

Ken Buckland

> On Jan 12, 2024, at 3:04?PM, Michael McCarthy via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
>
> ?
> A Friday question for all of you with site plan review done by the Planning Board ? when a project requires relief from the ZBA and site plan review, which do you recommend applicants do first and why?
>
> Enjoy your weekend,
> Mike McCarthy
> Asst. City Planner
> City of New Bedford
>
> --
> MassPlanners mailing list
> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
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Message: 6
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 15:35:10 -0500
From: Michelle Tyler <mtyler at randolph-ma.gov>
To: Michael McCarthy <Michael.McCarthy at newbedford-ma.gov>
Cc: "massplanners at masscptc.org" <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] What comes first - ZBA or SPR?
Message-ID:
        <CACxS2yX-8ZRD4Vzx+7y=zeYjYbKqk6HLwFJiTyHsnsFLsvBxGQ at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

It's always made sense to me to get the site approved before ZBA gives a
variance, however, I have previously been advised that ZBA is the LAST
approval that should be obtained. I was informed that ZBA variances cannot
be contingent upon another board/committee/commission.
Happy to have someone contradict that for me!

*Michelle R. Tyler*
*Director of Planning*
*Town of Randolph*
*781-961-0936*
*Please be advised that the Massachusetts Secretary of State considers
e-mail to be a public record, and therefore subject to the Massachusetts
Public Records Law, M.G.L. c. 66 ? 10.*

>
>
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Message: 7
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 15:50:55 -0500
From: "Gary Ayrassian" <cityplanner at cityofattleboro.us>
To: "'Michael McCarthy'" <Michael.McCarthy at newbedford-ma.gov>,
        <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: Re: [Massplanners] What comes first - ZBA or SPR?
Message-ID: <000001da4599$09a65720$1cf30560$@cityofattleboro.us>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Mike, we always advise/encourage concurrent filings. Gary

_____________________________________

Gary G. Ayrassian, Director

Department of Planning & Development

City of Attleboro | City Hall - Government Center |

77 Park Street | Attleboro, MA  02703 |

p: 508.223.2222 x 3143 | f: 508.222.3046 |

 <mailto:cityplanner at cityofattleboro.us> cityplanner at cityofattleboro.us |

 <http://www.cityofattleboro.us/> www.cityofattleboro.us<http://www.cityofattleboro.us> |

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Michael
McCarthy via MassPlanners (massplanners at masscptc.org)
Sent: Friday, January 12, 2024 3:02 PM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: [Massplanners] What comes first - ZBA or SPR?

A Friday question for all of you with site plan review done by the Planning
Board - when a project requires relief from the ZBA and site plan review,
which do you recommend applicants do first and why?

Enjoy your weekend,

Mike McCarthy

Asst. City Planner

City of New Bedford

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Message: 8
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2024 21:51:34 +0000
From: BRPC <info at berkshireplanning.org>
To: "massplanners at masscptc.org" <massplanners at masscptc.org>
Subject: [Massplanners] Senior Housing Planner Job Opportunity @ BRPC
Message-ID:
        <BL0PR01MB5107B410FF78B154CEE990D1C66F2 at BL0PR01MB5107.prod.exchangelabs.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) seeks a Senior Planner with a focus on housing and community development. The selected candidate will be a key member of the Community Planning Program and will lead efforts to implement regional strategies in housing, work with communities on policy and regulatory changes, write grants, and oversee Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administration.
Minimum requirements include a Master's degree in planning or a related field with two years of experience or a Bachelor's degree with coursework in planning-related subjects and four years of full-time planning experience. Experience related to housing planning and CDBG administration is preferred. BRPC welcomes candidates from a broad range of personal and professional backgrounds and will consider reasonably related work, education, and life experience during candidate evaluation.
BRPC seeks a proactive problem-solver committed to planning with a high-level skill set including analytics, writing, and effective communication. The ability to collaborate with a diverse range of individuals is key, and proficiency in Microsoft Office is a plus.
This is a full-time hybrid position with a 35-hour work week (including flex time options) and a 2-day in-office minimum. The starting salary range for this position is $61,697 to $71,805 and includes a very attractive benefits package.
Additional details, including a full position description, can be found here: https://berkshireplanning.org/senior-housing-planner/
TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, resume, and two-page writing sample to info at berkshireplanning.org<mailto:info at berkshireplanning.org>.
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