A. 
Approval not required (ANR) plans are governed by the Subdivision Control Law, MGL Chapter 41, Section 81P, and the Code of the Town of Harvard, Subdivision Control Chapter 130. An ANR plan must be for one of the four types specified in the exceptions to the definition of "subdivision" in MGL Chapter 41, Section 81L and as summarized in Harvard Subdivision Control, Chapter 130, § 130-11, Subsections A through C.
B. 
Such plans do not require approval under the Subdivision Control Law because they do not show a "subdivision," as defined in MGL Chapter 41, Section 81L. Any person wishing to record such an "approval not required" (ANR) plan must submit an application to the Board and, if the Board agrees that approval is not required, it must, "forthwith, without a public hearing," endorse it, thus allowing it to be recorded at the Registry of Deeds. ANR approval alone does not endorse a lot as a building lot.
A. 
Plans believed not to require approval (ANR) must be submitted in 10 copies and a digital copy to the Town Clerk, on the appropriate application form. This form is available at the office of the Board or on the Town of Harvard website (www.harvard-ma.gov). Applicants shall also submit one digital copy of the plan and application form.
B. 
Plans submitted as an "ANR" shall meet the content requirement as identified in Harvard Subdivision Control Chapter 130, § 130-10, Subsections A through C, and as indicated on the application form, Form A. The frontage of lots shown on an ANR plan must be one of the four types specified in MGL Chapter 41, Section 81L and meet the frontage requirements of Chapter 130, § 130-11, Subsections A through C, and Chapter 125 of the Code. For hammerhead and backland lots, determination that approval is not required shall consider the guidelines provided in Chapter 130, § 130-13.
C. 
Plans submitted as an "ANR" shall clearly indicate that access is adequate, safe, convenient and readily useable access.
D. 
Plans submitted as an ANR for which a special permit is required shall be processed in accordance with Chapter 130, § 130-12. ANR plans showing a lot of a type that requires a special permit shall not be endorsed until the special permit becomes effective.
E. 
The Board will review the plan at a regularly scheduled Board meeting to determine whether an ANR endorsement is warranted. The Board may reject an ANR plan if the Board feels that the application is incomplete or the plan is not entitled to endorsement.
F. 
A quorum of three members of the Board must be present. The signatures of three members endorsing approval are necessary to endorse an ANR plan.
From the day an applicant submits an ANR plan to the Town Clerk, the Board has 21 days to act. Failure to act means the plan is endorsed by default; a so-called "constructive" endorsement.
A. 
If the Board determines the plan does not require review under the Subdivision Control Law, at least three members (majority of the Board) shall sign and date the original. However, the Board may authorize one member to endorse such plans in the name of the Board. The applicant retains the original and records it at the Registry of Deeds.
B. 
The Board retains one copy of the submitted plan for file and distributes copies to the Board of Assessors, the Town Clerk, Building Inspector and the Department of Public Works. The Board is not required to issue a notification of endorsement; the signed plan suffices.
C. 
If the Board determines the plan does require approval under the Subdivision Control Law, the Clerk of the Board shall notify the applicant and the Town Clerk in writing, citing the reason for the determination, and place a copy in the Board's files.
If the Board determines that an ANR endorsement is not warranted, the applicant may amend the ANR plan and submit a new application or may appeal the Board's decision in accordance with the MGL Chapter 41, § 81BB within 20 days from the date the decision is recorded with the Town Clerk.