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Braintree Selectboard approves updated zoning permit forms and raises fees
Summary
The Selectboard voted to adopt clearer, separated zoning permit applications and to update associated fees that had not been revised since 2010; the change passed after staff described the proposed forms and recommended fee changes to better cover administrative review costs.
The Braintree Selectboard voted to update the town's zoning permit applications and the pricing tied to those permits after a staff review found the current forms and fees were out of date.
A staff member who reviewed neighboring towns’ permits told the board that Braintree’s single permit form combined minor and major subdivisions and did not collect necessary details. The staff member said they separated permit types (minor subdivision, major subdivision, lot-line adjustments) and added fields such as a required sketch and clearer information for applicants. The staff member also reported that the town’s zoning fees “haven’t been updated since 2010” and recommended adding charges for permit extensions and for certificate-of-occupancy processing to better cover administrative costs.
Chair said, “I’ll make a motion that we update the zoning permit applications and the permit pricing associated with the different zoning activities in accordance with Grace's recommendation.” A committee member seconded the motion and the board approved it by voice vote.
The change is intended to ensure applicants provide documentation the Development Review Board needs during review and to align fees with the staff time required to administer permits; the staff member said one example would be charging for extensions rather than automatically issuing them. The board directed staff to update the website and application materials to reflect the new forms and prices.
