Page 63 - Middleborough 2024 Town Report

REPORT OF THE
PLANNING BOARD
and DEPARTMENT OF
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
On July 1, 2023, the Planning Department and Ofice of
Economic and Community Development were combined to
form the Department of Planning and Community
Development. This department is headed by its director,
Leeann Bradley. The mission of the Planning and Community
Development Department is to integrate land use regulation,
long-range planning and economic and community
development functions in order to better implement a
sustainable and responsible growth strategy that relects and
enhances the character of the Town of Middleborough. We
also aim to ensure a high level of communication among
regulatory disciplines, and serve as a single point of contact
for residents and developers relative to proposed and
ongoing development projects. The department staf
provides professional and administrative support to the Town
Manager, Select Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of
Appeals, and works with several other town boards and
committees on a regular basis. Our ultimate goal is to
enhance the quality of life and well-being of all residents, now
and for future generations.
for Retreat Lots, projects within the Development
Opportunity District, projects within the Commercial
Development District, Open Space Residential
Preservation Development, Adult Mobile Home Parks,
Adult Use Marijuana Establishments and 40R Smart
Growth Overlay District and “as of right” Accessory
Dwelling Units (ADUs);
• Review all divisions of land including proposed
subdivision roadways (residential and commercial);
• Manage the construction of subdivisions to ensure they
are constructed per approved plans;
• Review and comment on projects before other Town
boards as provided;
• Develop long range planning tools for the Town.
In order to accomplish these tasks, the Board utilized the
expertise of departmental staf, several consulting firms to
perform peer review, construction observations and
material testing services.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MIDDLEBOROUGH
PLANNING BOARD
The Middleborough Planning Board is charged with several
important functions, which are as follows:
• Administer the Commonwealth’s Subdivision Control Law –
MGL Ch. 41, Sec. 81K-81GG
• Administer the Town’s Subdivision Rules and Regulations –
adopted in 1987. A complete overhaul of the subdivision
regulations was completed in June of 2020 and minor
amendments were made in 2022.
• Administer the Town’s Zoning Bylaws as the Special Permit
Granting Authority (SPGA) and Site Plan Review Authority
The Planning Board values comments and amendment
suggestions regarding the Town’s Zoning Bylaw and
Subdivision Regulations. These are periodically reviewed
for their suitability and applicability. Requests for
amendments or additions to the Zoning Bylaw may be
submitted to the Select Board’s Ofice by petition of ten (10)
registered voters for placement of an article on the Town
meeting warrant and may require a 2/3 majority vote for
approval. The Planning Board may also sponsor
amendments to the Zoning Bylaw to be brought to Town
Meeting for vote. Amendments or additions to the
Subdivision Rules and Regulations are approved by a
majority vote of the Planning Board ater discussion at a
public hearing advertised in a local publication, posted with
the Town Clerk and on the Town’s website.
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