The Planning Board is involved in activities and decisions concerning the physical growth and development of the Town. Certain projects require the Planning Board's approval; others may be reviewed and approved by the Planning Department. The Planning Department and/or Board must review all divisions of land within the Town. It is also the Planning Board's responsibility to review and approve any road creation or extension, significant industrial and commercial developments, and proposed plans for development in environmentally sensitive areas.
The application process is quite straight forward, although there are different submission requirements depending on the type of land division or project you are interested in pursuing. A land division (changes to property lines) may be classified as one of three types:
1. Administrative Subdivision
This type of land division results in no new lots or roads being created. An Administrative Subdivision is reviewed by the Planning Department, and if acceptable under the Town's Subdivision Regulations, can be filed with the Town Clerk without a
Planning Board hearing. Administrative Subdivisions that result in lots that do not conform to the Zoning Ordinance must be reviewed by both the Planning Board and Zoning Board.
2. Minor Subdivision
This type of division of land results in creating five or less new lots. A Minor Subdivision consists of two review stages:
° preliminary
° final
A public hearing must be held if the proposed division involves the extension or creation of a street.
3. Major Subdivision
This type of division of land results in more than five lots being created, and may or may not involve the creation of a new street or street extension. A Major Subdivison consists of four review stages:
° pre-application
° master plan
° preliminary
° final
In addition to a public hearing, an informational meeting for the public is required.
We suggest that you make an appointment to come in and speak informally with the Town Planner before you begin any land subdivision process. The Town Planner will advise you as to what approvals are required based on the type of application that will be submitted. You will be informed of the necessary stages for review and the timeframe allotted for each review.
Depending on the type of application, the timeframes from review and approval may range form 15 to 120 days from the date of submission. These timeframes allow for review of the application for completeness by the Town Planner and, depending on the submission, the Town Engineer's review, the Planning Board's review, and necessary meetings and/or public notification and hearings.
If your project is a Minor or Major Subdivision, you will be scheduled to appear before the Planning Board to explain your project to the Board. While we will try to conduct the review of plans and materials as quickly as possible, the review periods are there so that you can better anticipate the maximum time the process may require. Checklists are available to help you identify all the items your plan must contain, and any supporting materials that must accompany submissions.
| 
