<div dir="ltr">As has been stated by others the 90 days starts from the end of the hearing and that has been true at least since 1989, which is the date of the Kendrick case noted by Katrina. Since apparently some number of town boards (and staff?) don't seem to know this they may also not know that c. 40A , s. 9 also states that "final action" must be taken within those same 90 days. "Final action" has been interpreted by the courts to mean that the decision is both made and filed with the city/town clerk.<div><br></div><div>As an FYI, for those of you who have access to the APA-MA Chapter's Guidebook to Massachusetts Land Use, on the Chapter's website, Zoning Chapter 4-32 - Action Date Timelines - has both a one page diagram of timelines for special permits, variances, and appeals, and a series of tables with more detailed information on those timelines.<br><div><br></div><div>Bob<div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div><font color="#000099" size="4" style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><br></font></div><div><font color="#000099" size="4" style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Bob Mitchell FAICP</font></div><div>Planning Consultant</div><div>Land Use, Planning, Zoning, & Training Programs</div><div>151 Tremont Street Suite 23A</div><div>Boston, MA 02111</div><div>617-512-9751 (c)<span></span><span></span></div><div><a href="mailto:MitchellFAICP@gmail.com" target="_blank">MitchellFAICP@gmail.com</a></div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Thu, Mar 31, 2022 at 12:33 PM Leeann Bradley via MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">This is interesting for sure because I am receiving responses that state the 90 days is from the date the hearing was closed as well as from the date the hearing was opened. I really think towns/cities are
interpreting this quite differently. Again, I can’t imagine why a Board would need 90+ days to issue a decision. I haven’t looked at the appeal case yet but looking forward to it.
<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">Leeann<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">Leeann Bradley<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">Town Planner<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">Town Hall Annex<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">20 Center Street<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">Middleborough, MA 02346<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">508-946-2425 ext. 1150<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)">: <a href="mailto:BradleyL@middleboroughma.gov" target="_blank">BradleyL@middleboroughma.gov</a></span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Katrina O'leary <<a href="mailto:katrina.oleary@middletonma.gov" target="_blank">katrina.oleary@middletonma.gov</a>>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 31, 2022 12:10 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Leeann Bradley <<a href="mailto:bradleyl@middleboroughma.gov" target="_blank">bradleyl@middleboroughma.gov</a>>; <a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">massplanners@masscptc.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: Planning Board - Special Permit Timeline<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background:rgb(255,255,153)">[<strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">NOTICE:</span></strong> This message originated outside of the Town of Middleborough mail system --
<strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">PLEASE DO NOT CLICK </span></strong>on <strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">links</span></strong> or open <strong><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">attachments</span></strong>
unless you are sure the content is safe.]</span><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Leeann,<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We always start the clock when the special permit public hearing is closed; therefore, we never need to ask for an extension from the applicant. I believe this practice is based on Kenrick v. Board of appeals of Wakefield (90 day period
is measured from the termination of the public hearing).<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">This isn’t the case with variances and subdivisions – time limits for decision are measured from the date of filing or submission.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(36,64,97)">Katrina O'Leary, AICP
<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:Cambria,serif">Middleton Town Planner</span></b><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:rgb(36,64,97)"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Cambria,serif">195 North Main Street Middleton, MA 01949 PH: (978)777-8917<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:8pt;color:rgb(36,64,97)">When responding, please be aware that the Massachusetts Secretary of State has determined that most email is public record and, therefore, cannot be kept confidential.<b><u></u><u></u></b></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org" target="_blank">massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Leeann Bradley via MassPlanners<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Thursday, March 31, 2022 9:34 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">massplanners@masscptc.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Massplanners] Planning Board - Special Permit Timeline<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt">Good Morning,<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt">I know this has been a topic of discussion in the past but having a hard time finding in the archives. MGL Ch. 40A, Sec. 9 states “The decision of the special permit granting authority shall be made within
ninety days following the date of such public hearing. The required time limits for a public hearing and said action, may be extended by written agreement between the petitioner and the special permit granting authority. A copy of such agreement shall be filed
in the office of the city or town clerk”. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt">Got that but it doesn’t specify if the 90 days is from the date the public hearing is opened or the date the public hearing is closed. I’ve seen towns/cities interpret this both ways as well as the 90 day
clock starting when the special permit application is filed with the town clerk. We have an attorney stating that the 90 day clock doesn’t begin until the PB has closed the public hearing. It seems very odd that a Planning Board would have up to three months
after the close of a hearing to issue a Special Permit and that the date could be extended. Why would you need 90 (or more) days to draft and issue a SP? Thanks!<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt">Leeann<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Arial Black",sans-serif">Leeann Bradley<u></u><u></u></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Town Planner<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Town Hall Annex<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">20 Center Street<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Middleborough, MA 02346<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">508-946-2425 ext. 1150<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">PLEASE NOTE NEW EMAIL ADDRESS</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">:
<a href="mailto:BradleyL@middleboroughma.gov" target="_blank">BradleyL@middleboroughma.gov</a></span><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p><span style="color:red">Please note: The Town of Middleborough has transitioned to .gov over the past year. All Town email addresses have changed to @MiddleboroughMA.GOV. All mail to the old @<a href="https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fmiddleborough.com&c=E,1,F6OhkqJX1RrqW3ahj_9WktRF9llYKAn5AkeOrGxAoyOW2ugxOqWBQEA8Ao0-ec4tJ5FoS3bwvE4B_NJDM9ZRUI5UhIdMF6nEA1QR3GVZrYvXjHj424evnQ,,&typo=1&ancr_add=1" target="_blank">middleborough.com</a>,
addresses will not go through after June 30, 2022. Please update your address books accordingly.</span><u></u><u></u></p>
<p> <u></u><u></u></p>
<p>When responding, please be aware that the Massachusetts Secretary of State has determined that most email is public record and therefore cannot be kept confidential.<u></u><u></u></p>
</div>
</div>
<p><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Please note: The Town of Middleborough has transitioned to .gov over the past year. All Town email addresses have changed to @MiddleboroughMA.GOV. All mail to the old @middleborough.com, addresses will not go through after
June 30, 2022. Please update your address books accordingly.</span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>When responding, please be aware that the Massachusetts Secretary of State has determined that most email is public record and therefore cannot be kept confidential.</p>
</div>
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</blockquote></div>