THE PROCESS AN ABUTTER’S GUIDE
This guide answers the most frequently asked questions by abutters to projects that come before the Planning Board. It is not intended to be a legal guide but to help you understand how to participate in hearings, get information and how to communicate any concerns you may have.	To reach the Office of Planning and Development please contact our office at 978-534-7525, ext. 255 The Planning Board members are: John Souza, Chairman Carol Vittorioso, Vice Chairperson Armand Millette David DiGiovanni Michael Cooley Salvatore Ciccone Thomas Carignan Kate Griffin-Brooks, Director of Planning and Development Andrew Taylor, Assistant Director Brenda Parisi, Administrator, Board Secretary
WHY AM I RECEIVING A HEARING NOTICE? You are receiving this hearing notice because you are an abutter to a proposed development that will be reviewed by the Leominster Planning Board. The notice is required by statue to let you know that a public hearing is being held on the project. WHO IS THE PLANNING BOARD? The Planning Board has seven appointed members. The Board has the responsibility to review proposed development projects and makes decisions on them in accordance with statute and local bylaws. The Board holds its hearing in the evenings. Board members have a variety of backgrounds and are appointed to serve on the Board. They are assisted by the Director of the Office of Planning and Development who works in the office during the day. HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT IS PROPOSED? An application, plans and supporting materials are on file in the Office of Planning and Development in City Hall. You are welcome to review this information and may pay for copies of any information you would like to keep. If you are requesting multiple copies, you may have to submit a request in writing giving the staff 14 days to produce the copies. Our office is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT THE PUBLIC HEARING? The notice you received in the mail tells you when and where the public hearing is scheduled. It is also published in the legal notice section of the Sentinel and Enterprise. At the first hearing, the applicant will present plans and explain what is proposed for the Board and the audience. The Board will ask questions, generally where clarification is needed. There will be an opportunity for those in the audience to ask questions or offer opinions. All questions and comments are addressed to the Chairperson. Please be brief and to the point. If you have heard a comment prior to yours please do not repeat it. Time is limited when there are several hearings. Comments may also be submitted in writing. The Board often hears several projects in an evening. Hearings may be either closed or continued. Occasionally, for simple projects, hearings can be completed in one night and are closed; meaning that no further testimony is taken. More often, hearings will be continued with direction given by the Board to the applicant on revisions to the plans or information that is needed. Continued hearings may be several weeks or months in the future depending on how long it takes the applicant to gather the required information and the Board’s workload. Occasionally, the hearing process is delayed due to weather, the absence of a Board member or at the applicant’s request. To verify that a hearing is being held on a scheduled date, you can call the Planning Department. HOW CAN I MAKE MY CONCERNS KNOWN IF I CANNOT ATTEND? Comments can be submitted in writing prior to the close of a public hearing. As with all testimony, it is most helpful to raise concerns early in the process. Send your written comments of the Office of Planning and Development, 25 West Street, Leominster, MA 01453 WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE HEARING? After the hearing is closed, no new information can be submitted. The Board deliberates and makes a decision at a posted Board meeting. The Board generally either approves a plan with conditions or denies it if it does not meet City standards. Interested individuals are welcome to attend and listen, but may not make further comments. The Board makes its decision on subdivisions waiver requests at this time. The decision is voted on and filed with the City Clerk by the decision deadline. WHAT ISSUES DOES THE BOARD CONSIDER? The scope of issues that the Board can consider in reviewing the projects is defined by state law and city bylaws and regulations. In presenting testimony (oral or written) it is most helpful to focus on these issues. The Zoning Ordinance that contains information on Site Plans and Special Permits is available online at the City’s website under Planning/CDBG. The Subdivision Regulations are also online in the same section. Both sets of regulations can be purchased at the Office of Planning and Development at City Hall. WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF THE DECISION? Copies of subdivision decisions are not sent to abutters. Copies of Special Permit decisions are required by law to be sent to all abutters. You may request a copy of any decision from the Planning Department. HOW CAN I APPEAL? Appeals may be made to Superior Court and in some cases Land Court. For Subdivision, and Special Permit decisions, there is a 20-day appeal period (from the date the decision is filed with the City Clerk). You will not receive notice of any appeals filed by other parties.