A.
These rules and regulations are enacted by the Great Barrington Planning
Board under authority granted by MGL c. 41, § 81Q for the
purpose set forth in MGL c. 41, § 81M. The powers of the
Planning Board under the Subdivision Control Law (MGL c. 41 §§ 81K
to 81GG) shall be exercised with due regard for achieving the objectives,
among others, shown below.
B.
These Subdivision Rules and Regulations have been enacted for the
purpose of protecting the safety, convenience and welfare of the inhabitants
of the Town by regulating the laying out and construction of public
and private ways, providing proper access to lots within subdivisions,
ensuring sanitary conditions in subdivisions and, in proper cases,
parks and open areas. The powers of the Board under these Subdivision
Rules and Regulations shall be exercised to:
(1)
Provide adequate access to all lots in a subdivision by ways that
are safe and convenient for travel;
(2)
Lessen congestion in such ways and in adjacent public ways;
(3)
Reduce danger to life and limb in the operation of motor vehicles;
(4)
Provide for safety of pedestrians and bicyclists;
(5)
Secure safety in case of fire, flood, panic and other emergencies;
(6)
Secure adequate provision for water distribution, underground utility
service, sewerage, drainage, protection of natural water sources,
erosion control, floodplains, and wetlands;
(7)
Protect, promote and enhance the natural beauty, and rural and historical
character of the Town; and
(8)
Coordinate the ways in a subdivision with each other, with public
ways in the Town and with ways in neighboring subdivisions.
