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Board discusses proposal to shift review of larger multi‑family projects to Site Plan Review Board
Summary
Staff proposed moving review of structures with five or more dwelling units from the Planning Board to the Site Plan Review Board; members suggested joint meetings to evaluate workload and consistency before any ordinance change and noted an ordinance amendment and public hearing would be required.
Planning staff presented a proposed amendment to Article 11, Section 3 on Feb. 9 that would transfer review of multi‑family residential structures of five or more units from the Planning Board to the Site Plan Review Board (SPRB).
Town Planner Hannah Watson said the change would not alter technical standards but would reassign where the review occurs, reflecting that such multi‑unit projects are uncommon and may be a better fit for the SPRB’s workload cycles. Board members and the Town Engineer discussed potential workload and consistency concerns; several participants recommended one or more joint meetings between the Planning Board and the SPRB to examine practical implications and align expectations before advancing an ordinance amendment to public hearing.
Members directed staff to plan a joint discussion in the spring. Any formal change would require an ordinance amendment and public hearing, and the board suggested staff and the SPRB coordinate to identify language and triggers for the proposed shift in review responsibilities.
