FAQs

What is a letter of certification?: A letter of certification is certification from the appropriate professional, such as an engineer or wetland biologist, that your application meets the development standards of the section of the ordinance that your proposal requires relief from.

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Community Development

1. Where can I get information regarding the zoning of a particular parcel of land?: Zoning information is available from the Building Inspection Department.

2. How long does it take to get through the Site Review process?: The Site Review process is typically a two (2) month process. Site Review applications are first required to go before the Planning Board for recommendation and then to the Zoning Board of Review for approval. Due to public notification and advertising requirements Site Review applications are typically scheduled with the Zoning Board a month after the application is reviewed by the Planning Board.

3. What is the Staff Review process?: Staff Reviews require submittal of an application along with required documentation such as letter of certification, site plan, architectural plans, etc. This process does not require a public hearing therefore abutter notification is not necessary.

4. What is the process for Site Review?: Site Reviews require the submittal of an application and the documentation listed in the application such as building permit application, project review sheet, architectural plans, site plans, list of abutters and area map delineating 200’ from the four corners of the subject property, etc.

5. What is a letter of certification?: A letter of certification is certification from the appropriate professional, such as an engineer or wetland biologist, that your application meets the development standards of the section of the ordinance that your proposal requires relief from.

6. Can someone represent me at the Planning Board and or Zoning Board meetings?: Yes, providing they have an authorization of representation letter signed by the owner of the property and notarized.

7. Do I have to compose a letter explaining my proposal to my abutting neighbors?: No, the Clerk of the Boards will provide (via certified mailing) a copy of the legal advertisement for abutter notification.

8. At what point do I notify my abutters?: Abutter notification is of the public hearing before the Zoning Board. This notification must be mailed 14 days prior to the Zoning Board meeting.

9. Do you have a survey of my property?: No, unless you have been granted relief from the ordinance or your property was subdivided.

10. Is my vacant lot 'buildable'?: It is up to the property owner to hire an engineer and go through the building permit review process to determine if their property is buildable. Although the Town can provide information on the possible presence of wetlands and other environmentally sensitive areas for discussion purposes, the Town will not make the determination on buildability. Unless proven otherwise the Town will consider a parcel developable or potentially developable.