[Massplanners] [EXTERNAL] (no subject)

[Michael McCarthy]

Hi Alex,

Whenever a complicated project gets on someone’s radar, we refer them to our interdepartmental pre-permitting review. These are informal virtual meetings that bring Planning, Public Infrastructure, Legal, Building, Conservation, and Traffic staff together to do a short (30 mins max) review of a proposal and offer feedback on requirements and likely permitting needed. We hold Friday mornings for these and our Building Department admin does the scheduling. Planning provides notes, links to applications, and contact info for follow up after meeting.

Specifically for Planning and Zoning Board, we strongly encourage applicants to submit digital applications ahead of the deadline for review. Our meetings are once monthly and everything is clearly posted in City Hall and online regarding deadlines and procedures for submitting. We have very clear standards and checklists in our applications and staff do a thorough review before accepting. We make sure applicants know that we developed these requirements to make sure an “approved site plan” can move seamlessly through all other permitting so early compliance with the Planning Board’s standards is in their best interest. For instance, our site plan review application checklist<https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/20230615111345/2021_Site-Plan-Review_APPLICATION-FORM_FILLABLE-2-1.pdf> was devised in consultation with our Solicitor’s Office, Engineering Division, and Building Commissioner.

If someone shows up unannounced to submit on deadline day, we do the review at the counter and will not hesitate to reject an incomplete application packet. Alternatively, if something gets through the cracks, the Planning Board is very good about continuing an application until they have the satisfactory material to review.

Mike McCarthy
Asst. City Planner
City of New Bedford

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Alex Vyce via MassPlanners
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 2:56 PM
To: MassPlanners at masscptc.org
Subject: [EXTERNAL] [Massplanners] (no subject)

Are there any municipalities that allow for a preliminary staff review of submission materials (Site Plan/Special Permit) to check for completeness prior to officially accepting and triggering the hearing requirements of Ch. 40A? It seems that we have been receiving plans that are not meeting the level of completeness set forth by the Ordinances, but the applicant considers to be complete. Later we spend significant time having to chase down all of the needed information.

Thank you,

--
Alex Vyce
City of Holyoke Planning Department
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