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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Hi Alex,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">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.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Specifically for Planning and Zoning Board, we
<b>strongly encourage</b> 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
<a href="https://newbedford-ma.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/20230615111345/2021_Site-Plan-Review_APPLICATION-FORM_FILLABLE-2-1.pdf">
site plan review application checklist</a> was devised in consultation with our Solicitor’s Office, Engineering Division, and Building Commissioner.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Mike McCarthy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Asst. City Planner<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">City of New Bedford<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Alex Vyce via MassPlanners<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, May 14, 2024 2:56 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> MassPlanners@masscptc.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [EXTERNAL] [Massplanners] (no subject)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">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.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thank you,<br clear="all">
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="gmailsignatureprefix">-- </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#888888">Alex Vyce<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#888888">City of Holyoke Planning Department<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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