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Planning Board debates streamlining while keeping 22×33-inch site-plan map requirement
Summary
Chairman Mike Howard proposed pre-review of applications by himself and the Zoning Coordinator to waive certain site-plan requirements with written justifications, but the Board ultimately decided to continue requiring 22×33-inch maps while discussing limited streamlining.
The Springfield Planning Board discussed whether to reduce the amount of information required on site plans and whether the fixed 22×33-inch map requirement could be relaxed, but the Board voted to retain the map size while exploring limited process streamlining.
Chairman Mike Howard said several applicants reported local surveyors consider the Board’s information requirements excessive. He proposed that he and Zoning Coordinator Tim Bray could review applications ahead of Board meetings and waive certain items on a case-by-case basis if written justifications were prepared to protect both applicants and the Board.
Board members debated the proposal and emphasized that any waivers would need to be justified in writing because site-plan requirements must be individualized by location and activity. The transcript records the Board’s conclusion to continue requiring the 22×33-inch map, while noting that pre-review and documented waivers could reduce applicant burden in some cases.
No formal vote to change the regulation was recorded at the meeting; the discussion was advisory and focused on administrative streamlining rather than a rule change.
