Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Floodplain Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Millis planning board recommends floodplain zoning amendments for town meeting
Summary
The Town of Millis Planning Board voted to recommend proposed amendments to the Special Flood Hazard District zoning bylaw and map updates — revisions intended to align local rules with FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and improve floodplain management.
The Town of Millis Planning Board voted to recommend proposed amendments to the town zoning bylaw’s Special Flood Hazard District and to update the zoning map to reflect revised Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps.
The board’s action came after a public hearing on March 4, 2025, at the Veterans Memorial Building. Richard Nichols, chair of the Planning Board, opened the hearing and explained that the amendments would update the town’s floodplain management regulations to match the latest FEMA flood insurance rate maps and “enhance the resilience of the community against flooding hazards,” as stated in the planning board notice on file with the town clerk.
The amendments presented include changes to the delineation of flood zones, revised construction standards for new buildings and for substantial improvements, and updated criteria for floodplain development management. The full proposed text was made available at the Town Clerk’s office and on the planning board’s website prior to the hearing.
At the end of the hearing a motion was made and seconded to close the public hearing and another motion—also made and seconded—recommended the article as written to be included in the warrant for town meeting. The board voted “Aye” on the recommendation; no dissenting votes were recorded on the transcript.
The board did not take final enactment action; the recommendation sends the proposed bylaw and map changes to town meeting for consideration by voters. The planning board’s notice cites General Laws, Chapter 40A, Section 5, as the statutory authority for the public hearing.
Copies of the proposed bylaw text and the updated zoning map are on file with the Town Clerk and posted to the planning board’s web page for public inspection.
The planning board’s formal recommendation and the public hearing record will be included with the warrant materials for the next town meeting where voters may adopt, amend, or reject the proposed zoning amendments.
