Land development project and development plan review
502.1. Purpose. The purpose of the land development project, as established by state statute, is to review proposed developments to determine compliance with the standards and intent of this ordinance and the development review regulations adopted by the Planning Board pursuant to G.L. tit. 45 ch. 23.
502.2. Authority. The planning board may approve a land development project. The planning board may also approve modifications to dimensional standards. The planning board may also approve variances and special use permits through unified development review. No demolition, foundation, or building permits will be issued, and no site work will be allowed for any development requiring approval of a land development project until the Planning Board has approved the final plan.
502.3. Applicability. Any development that meets one or more of the following criteria is considered a land development project:
(A) New construction of 10,000 square feet or more in gross floor area.
(B) Additions or enlargements to structures where the new gross floor area of the addition or enlargement is 10.000 square feet or more.
(C) Construction of new gross floor area that creates ten or more dwelling or rooming units.
(D) Development of 50 or more new parking spaces.
(E) Developments that warrant changes in traffic signalization or degradation in level of service.
502.4. Procedure. All land development projects, including requests for unified development review, shall be reviewed by the Planning Board according to the "Development Review Regulations" adopted by the Planning Board pursuant to G.L. tit. 45 ch. 23.
502.5. Adjustments of dimensional regulations. The planning board has the authority to make adjustments to certain dimensional and design standards through land development project review when one or more of the following occur:
(A) Where open space is permanently set aside for public or common use.
(B) Where the physical characteristics, location, or size of the site require an adjustment.
(C) Where the location, size, and type of use require an adjustment.
(D) Where the required build-to percentage requires an adjustment.
(E) Where design standards require an adjustment.
(F) Where housing for low- and moderate-income families is provided.
(G) Where other amenities not required are provided, as stipulated in this ordinance.
(H) Where structured parking is provided.
(I) Where vertical mixed-use development is provided, of which at least 50 percent is devoted to residential use.
502.6. Staff level development plan review.
(A) Purposes. The purpose of staff level development plan review is to authorize the building official and planning director to review proposed developments with minor land use impacts, to determine compliance with this ordinance.
(B) Authority. Staff level development plan review may approve a project subject to development plan review.
(C) Applicability. The staff level development plan review committee reviews the following types of development:
(1) Any development or redevelopment on a lot or lots within a commercial or industrial zone that does not abut residential uses.
(2) Any new pavement with an area of 10,000 square feet or less.
(3) Any development that includes a drive-through facility.
(4) Projects within commercial or industrial areas that do not cause degradation in level of service in terms of traffic circulation with respect to surrounding streets.
(D) The following types of development are not subject to development plan review by the staff level development plan review:
(1) Any development that requires land development project review or development plan review by the Planning Board.
(E) Procedure. The staff level development review committee shall begin development plan review within 30 days of submittal of a complete application. The staff level development plan review committee shall, within 60 days of submittal of a complete application, review and evaluate the plan, pursuant to the standards of this ordinance, all plans, and drawings submitted as part of the application for a building permit shall reflect those conditions.
(F) Modifications to staff level development plan review. Modifications to a plan approved through staff level development plan review shall be submitted as a new development plan review application.
502.7. Planning board development plan review.
(A) Purpose. The purpose of planning board development plan review is to review proposed developments to determine compliance with this ordinance.
(B) Authority. The planning board may approve a project subject to development plan review.
(C) Applicability. The planning board reviews all types of development not subject to staff level reviews.
(D) Procedure. The planning board shall begin development plan review within 30 days of submittal of a complete application. The planning board shall, within 60 days of submittal of a complete application, review and evaluate the plan, pursuant to the standards of this ordinance, and approve, approve with conditions, or deny the plan. If approved subject to certain conditions, all plans, and drawings submitted as part of the application for a building permit shall reflect those conditions.
(E) Modifications to planning board development plan review. Modifications to a plan approved through planning board development plan review shall be submitted as a new development plan review application.
(Ord. No. O-23-24, § I, 12-20-23)