Brookfield planning board requires conceptual consultations for conditional use permits

The Town of Brookfield Planning Board voted to require conceptual consultations for conditional use permit applications, the board confirmed at its Dec. 8 meeting.

Board members said the change is intended to give applicants early, low-cost feedback so they do not spend money preparing full applications only to be told to revise them later. Planning board members discussed child-care home conversions and campground proposals as examples where an early conceptual review could prevent later problems. "Conceptual consultation required for conditional use permits," the chair stated after the motion carried.

Members said conceptual consultations are intended to be free and advisory, focusing on what materials applicants should prepare and the likely permitting path. The board agreed the consultation could be done in advance of a formal application or at the same meeting if the application is sufficiently developed. The measure was moved, seconded, and carried; the board asked staff to update application forms and the flowchart to reflect the new requirement.

The board also discussed clarifying procedures so applicants know whether to schedule a conceptual meeting prior to submission. Board members agreed to revise the application to request that applicants set up a meeting before submitting a formal application where appropriate.

The board did not specify an implementation date in the discussion; staff will update the website and application forms and circulate revised language for the board to approve.