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Planning Board adopts 72‑hour rule for applicant pre‑submission materials; public not held to same standard
Summary
After debate about late‑filed application materials, the Planning Board voted to require applicants submit substantive presentation materials at least 72 hours before a hearing; the board clarified the public may submit comments near hearings but applicants must seek continuance if they cannot respond.
The Framingham Planning Board voted to adopt a minimum 72‑hour submission rule requiring applicants to provide substantive presentations and supporting documents to planning staff and the board at least 72 hours before a scheduled hearing. The board emphasized the rule is aimed at applicant‑filed materials (presentations, peer review reports, substantive plan changes) to give members and the public reasonable time to review them.
Board members discussed alternatives including 48 hours and 7 days; several members said 72 hours is a reasonable compromise that allows a “night” for review while remaining practical for applicants. The board agreed to retain staff discretion to accept minor clerical changes within the 72‑hour window but said substantive materials that materially affect deliberation should be subject to the deadline or require a continuance. The chair also clarified that members of the public are not held to the same 72‑hour deadline for submitting comment letters; public commenters may present comments at the hearing, but if substantive documents arrive close to the hearing applicants may request a continuance to have time to respond.
The board directed staff to codify the 72‑hour expectation in rules and regulations and to enforce it more consistently. Several board members expressed concern about due‑process implications if materials are not available to the public; the board distinguished that public commenters may bring materials to the meeting but applicants should not introduce substantive new evidence at the last minute without providing time for review.
The motion to adopt 72 hours passed by voice vote.
