[Adopted as amended 7-6-1992 (Ch. 865 of the 2002 Bylaws)]
Every application for site plan approval shall be made on the
official form of the Planning Board, which may be obtained from the
Town Clerk or the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Any communication purporting to be an application shall be treated
only as a notice of intention to apply until such time as it is made
on the official application form and filed with the Planning Board.
The application form is hereby made a part of these rules and regulations.
A.
Each application for a site plan approval from the Planning Board
shall be filed with the Board in the Planning Department, in the Town
of Greenfield.
B.
The completed application form shall be accompanied by seven copies
of a site plan.
(1)
All site plans shall be prepared to scale and shall, at a minimum,
accurately show the following information if applicable:
(a)
The name of the applicant and property owner, the name of the
person preparing the plan, the scale, and a locus map.
(b)
The location, boundaries, and dimensions of the lot, lot area,
adjacent streets or ways, the location, use, and owner's names of
all adjacent properties, the zoning of the proposed lot and all adjacent
properties.
(c)
Existing and proposed vegetation and topography, including contours,
the location of wetlands, streams, water bodies, drainage swales,
areas subject to flooding, and unique natural land features.
(d)
Existing and proposed structures, including dimensions.
(e)
The location of parking and loading areas, driveways, walkways,
access and egress points and distance to the nearest driveways and
intersections.
(f)
The location and a description of all existing and proposed
septic systems, water supply, storm drainage systems, utilities, lighting,
refuse and other waste disposal methods, exterior storage, and easements.
(g)
Proposed landscape features, including the location and a description
of screening, fencing and plantings.
(h)
The locations, dimensions, height and characteristics of proposed
signs.
(i)
The location and a description of proposed open space or recreation
areas.
(j)
A snow removal plan.
(2)
The applicant shall also submit the following information:
(a)
Measures to prevent pollution of surface water and groundwater,
increased runoff, changes in groundwater levels, and flooding.
(b)
Design features which will integrate the proposed development
into the existing landscape, maintain neighborhood character, enhance
aesthetic assets and screen objectionable features from neighbors
and roadways.
(c)
Control measures to prevent erosion and sedimentation during
and after construction and the sequence of grading and construction
activities, location of temporary control measures, and final stabilization
of the site.
(d)
Estimated average daily and peak-hour vehicle trips to be generated
by the site and traffic flow patterns for both vehicles and pedestrians,
showing adequate access to and from the site and adequate circulation
within the site.
(3)
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a dismissal
of an application as incomplete. The Planning Board may require further
information to be shown on the plan if deemed necessary for a complete
review of the proposed project. In addition, an application for site
plan approval shall contain all other information required by the
Greenfield Zoning Ordinance. For larger projects, the preferred scale
is one inch equals 40 feet. The Planning Board shall have the authority
to alter or waive these requirements as it deems necessary or appropriate
in particular cases.
C.
Fees and other costs.
(2)
The services of an outside consultant may be obtained by the Planning
Board to review and advise the Board on the applicant's proposed project.
All reasonable expenses incurred by the Board for such review shall
be paid by the applicant. The Planning Board shall notify the applicant
in writing of the estimated costs for the review. The review fees
shall be paid by the applicant within 10 days of receipt of the notification.
The review fees shall be held by the Town Treasurer in a separate
account. The Board may request additional funds if needed to cover
the cost of outside review in the same manner as above. Failure by
the applicant to make timely payments shall be adequate reason to
deny the application.
(3)
The selection of an outside consultant may be appealed to the Board
of Selectmen. Such appeals are limited to claims that the consultant
selected has a conflict of interest or does not possess the minimum
required qualifications. The minimum qualifications consist of either
an educational degree in the field at issue or a related field, or
three or more years of practice in the field at issue or a related
field. The required time limits for action upon an application by
the Planning Board shall be extended by the duration of the administrative
appeal. In the event that no decision is made by the Board of Selectmen
within one month following the filing of the appeal, the selection
made by the Planning Board shall stand.
(4)
Any excess amount in review fees paid by the applicant, including
any accrued interest, at the completion of the project shall be repaid
to the applicant or to the applicant's successor in interest, and
a final report on expenditures made from the fees shall be made available.
A.
The Planning Board shall, within 10 days of receiving the application,
transmit one copy of the site plan to the Department of Public Works,
Fire Department, Inspector of Buildings, Zoning Board of Appeals,
Conservation Commission and Historical Commission for review and comment.
Failure of the above to comment within 30 days shall be deemed as
no objection to the site plan.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended during codification.
B.
The Planning Board shall review the site plan at a regularly scheduled
public meeting. The applicant or his/her representative may be present
to discuss the project with the Board. In the absence of any appearance
by the applicant or representative, the Board may decide on the plan
using the information it has otherwise received.
A.
A decision on a site plan shall be made by the Board within 45 days
of receipt of the application. The required time limits for a decision
may be extended by written agreement between the petitioner and the
Planning Board. Failure of the Planning Board to take action within
45 days, or extended time, shall be deemed to be approval of the site
plan.
B.
The site plan may be approved or approved with conditions. Before
approval of a site plan, the reviewing authority may request the applicant
to make modifications in the proposed design of the project. If the
site plan does not comply with the purposes and requirements of this
regulation, it may be disapproved. If disapproved, the plan may be
revised and resubmitted without prejudice at any time.
C.
The reviewing authority may require the posting of security to ensure
compliance with the plan and conditions. A permit or license may be
suspended when work is not performed as approved.
Any application for site plan approval may be withdrawn without
prejudice by notice in writing to the Planning Board at any time.
Site plan approval shall expire within two years if a substantial
use thereof has not commenced, except the Planning Board may grant
an extension for good cause.
Decisions on site plans made by the Planning Board may be appealed
to the Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with § 200-8.6
of the Zoning Ordinance and with Sections 8 and 15 of the Zoning Act,
MGL c. 40A.
Any advice, opinion, or information given by any Board member
or any other official or employee of the Town shall not be binding
on the Board.
These rules may be amended by a majority vote of the members
of the Board, provided that such amendment shall be presented in writing
at a regular meeting and action taken thereon at a subsequent regular
meeting. The amendment of the General Laws or the Zoning Ordinance
in respect to any matter covered by these rules and regulations will
constitute automatic amendment.
Strict compliance with these rules and regulations may be waived
when, in the judgment of the Planning Board, such action is in the
public interest.
