The development impact statement (DIS) is a documented, written analysis of a proposed development which provides the Planning Board and other Town staff and officials with information necessary for plan review. The DIS is intended to serve as a guide to the applicant in formulating the development proposal, as well as a guide to the Town in its evaluation of the proposed development in the context of existing conditions and planning efforts by the Town.
It is a developer's responsibility to prepare and document the DIS in sufficient detail to permit an adequate evaluation by the Planning Board; however, additional data may be requested in writing by the Board. It is necessary to respond to all sections of the DIS form except when a written exemption is granted by the Planning Board. The applicant is encouraged to contact the Town Planner if any guidance is required when completing the DIS.
The DIS shall clearly and methodically assess the relationship of the proposed development to the natural, physical and social environment. In preparing the DIS, professionals of the respective fields shall be consulted and a systematic, interdisciplinary approach shall be utilized which will ensure the integrated use of the natural and social sciences and the environmental design arts in planning, designing and engineering of the proposed project.
A DIS shall be filed for all 43D projects, OSRD projects and "major projects." For the purpose of these rules and regulations, a "major project" is defined as "any new development proposal that will result in the construction of 5,000 square feet or more of new building construction and/or the addition of 25 parking spaces or more at an existing facility." Projects classified as a "major project" shall require the submission of a development impact statement (DIS) as part of the application process. For all other projects not noted above, a DIS shall be considered an optional submission requirement; however, applicant should be aware that the information contained within the DIS can ease the review process by providing additional information for Town staff and board members.
The following pages describe what must be included as part of the development impact statement (DIS). Applicants may choose to complete the following pages or may submit all the required contents as a separate written document.[1]