Site Plan Review Questions
How do I know that I need a site plan review for my project?
Projects Requiring Site Plan Approval:
The construction or exterior alteration of or change of use of:
- A non-residential/agricultural structure or use
- A commercial or business structure or use
- Any other use specified in the zoning bylaw which indicates Site Plan Approval is required
You can find the application for site plan review in the Forms section on the Planning Board website. For more information, you may review the Brimfield Zoning Bylaws. To present the Planning Board with your site plan review, you can call the Planning Board at 413-245-4100 and leave a message on the Planning Board voice mail or e-mail us. The clerk will get back to you as soon as possible to put you on the next Planning Board meeting agenda. All plans/application must be submitted at a Planning Board Meeting with the proper fee and must meet all requirements in the Brimfield Zoning Bylaws. Please do not leave any plans for the Planning Board in the Town Hall or Town Hall Annex.
How do I know what information I need for a site plan review?
The Brimfield Zoning Bylaw has all the information that you will need to prepare for and apply for a site plan review. Please review all of the zoning bylaws so that information is ready when you apply and your project is not delayed in any way.
What do I need to give the Board to Apply for a Site Plan Review?
You will need to bring the following to a Planning Board meeting:
- A completed application
- 8 Copies of a complete project description.
- 8 copies of your plans showing everything required in the Zoning Bylaws. These plans must be stamped by a registered architect, landscape architect or professional engineer and a professional land surveyor.
- 2 Checks - each for the amount of $100.00
Make sure all information reflects what is asked for in Brimfield Zoning Bylaws.
How do I submit my application and plans to the Planning Board?
The Planning Board only accepts applications at a Planning Board meeting. To be placed on an agenda for the Planning Board meeting please call 413-245-4100 and leave a message on the Planning Board voice mail or e-mail us. The Planning Board assistant will get back to you as soon as possible and put you on the next meeting agenda.
What is the process after the Board accepts my application?
- The Board will receive you application at a meeting and set a date for a public hearing.
- They will then distribute your application, plan and project description to the Building Inspector, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, Board of Selectmen, Highway Department, Fire Department and Police Department for their review.
- We will notify all legal abutters to the property of `when and where the public hearing will be. We will also post this notification in 5 public places in the Town of Brimfield and mail it to all town’s that abut Brimfield.
- We will publish a public hearing notice twice in a two week period in the newspaper.
- The public hearing will be held.
- The Board will make a decision within 90 days of the close of the public hearing.
How will the public hearing work?
You or your agent should be prepared to present your project to the Planning Board at the public hearing. The Board will ask any questions that they may have. The Board then will open the hearing up for comments from the abutters of the property and the public. If there are still questions or issues that the Board needs answers to it is possible that the public hearing will be continued to another time.
When will I get my decision after the public hearing is closed?
According to our bylaws, you will get a decision from the Board within 90 days after the hearing is closed. This decision will be mailed to the applicant by registered mail and will also be submitted to the Town Clerk and other departments.