[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Falmouth Zoning Board of
Appeals 8-25-2011. Amendments noted where applicable.]
These rules establish procedures for applications to the Zoning
Board of Appeals (the "Board") for comprehensive permits granted pursuant
to MGL c. 40B, §§ 20 through 23 (the "Act") and the
regulations promulgated thereunder. They are required by MGL c. 40B,
§ 21, and by 760 CMR 56.00 et seq. The purpose of the Act,
the regulations and these rules is to facilitate the development of
affordable housing in Massachusetts.
These rules alone are not sufficient to describe the comprehensive
permit procedures before the Zoning Board of Appeals. They must be
read in conjunction with and implemented in a manner consistent with
MGL c. 40B, §§ 20 through 23 and 760 CMR 56.00 et seq.
In addition, the Board's Procedural rules for conduct of hearings
under MGL c. 40A apply to comprehensive permit applications. In case
of inconsistency or conflict between those general rules for conduct
and these rules, these rules shall govern.
These rules take effect on passage and supersede any other Chapter
40B rules that may have been adopted by the Board.
Means The Zoning Board of Appeals established under MGL c. 40A, § 12 and Chapter 240 of the Code of Falmouth.
Means The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community
Development and its successors, as established and currently existing
pursuant to MGL chs. 23B and c. 6A.
Means Any entity which proposes to sponsor a project under
the MGL c. 40B, §§ 20 through 23; and is not a public
agency or a nonprofit; and is eligible to receive a subsidy from a
subsidizing agency after a comprehensive permit has been issued and
which, unless otherwise governed by a federal act or regulation, agrees
to comply with the requirements of the subsidizing agency relative
to a reasonable return for building and operating the project.
Means Any local board or official, including, but not limited
to the Board of Selectmen; Board of Health; Planning Board; Conservation
Commission; Historical Commission; Historical District Commission,
Design Review Committee, Traffic Advisory Committee, Town Engineer,
Town Planner, Utilities Manager, Wastewater Superintendent, or other
commission; or fire, police, traffic, or other department; Building
Commissioner or similar official or board; fire prevention officer.
All boards, regardless of their geographical jurisdiction or their
source of authority (that is, including boards created by special
acts of the Legislature or by Town Meeting or the Board of Selectmen)
shall be deemed local boards if they perform functions usually performed
by locally created boards.
Means The need to protect the health or safety of the occupants
of a proposed project or of the residents of the municipality, to
protect the natural environment, to promote better site and building
design in relation to the surroundings and municipal and regional
planning, or to preserve open spaces. See 760 CMR 56.07(3)(c) through
(g).
Means Any condition imposed by a Board in its approval of
a comprehensive permit, brought about by a single factor or a combination
of factors, to the extent that it makes it:
Impossible for a public agency or a nonprofit organization to
proceed in building or operating a project without financial loss;
or
Impossible for a limited dividend organization to proceed and
still realize a reasonable return in building or operating such project
within the limitations set by the subsidizing agency on the size or
character of the project, or on the amount or nature of the subsidy
or on the tenants, rentals, and income permissible, and without substantially
changing the rent levels and unit sizes proposed by the applicant.
See 760 CMR 56.05(8)(d).
Means An exception from a use, dimensional, or other restriction
of local requirements and regulations, granted to a project through
a comprehensive permit. See 760 CMR 56.05(7).
The application for a comprehensive permit shall consist of
a completed comprehensive permit application form utilized by the
Board which includes the following:
A.
Preliminary site development plans showing the locations and outlines
of proposed buildings; the proposed locations, general dimensions
and materials for streets, drives, parking areas, walks and paved
areas; and proposed landscaping improvements and open areas within
the site. An applicant proposing to construct or rehabilitate four
or fewer units may submit a sketch of the matters in 760 CMR 56.05(2)(a)
and (c) which need not have an architect's signature. All projects
of five or more units must have site development plans prepared by
a registered architect or engineer;
B.
A report on existing site conditions and a summary of conditions
in the surrounding areas, showing the location and nature of existing
buildings, existing street elevations, traffic patterns and character
of open areas, if any, in the neighborhood. This submission may be
combined with that required in § 311-3.01(A) above;
C.
Preliminary, scaled, architectural drawings. For each building the
drawings shall be prepared by a registered architect, and shall include
typical floor plans, typical elevations, and sections, and shall identify
construction type and exterior finishes;
D.
A tabulation of proposed buildings by type, size (number of bedrooms,
floor area) and ground coverage, and a summary showing the percentage
of the tract to be occupied by buildings, by parking and other paved
vehicular areas, and by open areas;
E.
Wwhere a subdivision of land is involved, a preliminary subdivision
plan;
F.
A preliminary utilities plan showing the proposed location and types
of sewage, drainage, and water facilities, including hydrants;
G.
The project eligibility letter, showing that the applicant fulfills
the requirements of 760 CMR 56.04(1); and
H.
A list of requested waivers.
The completed application shall be accompanied by an application
fee based upon the number of proposed housing units:
A.
For-profit application fee: $200 plus $125 per unit.
B.
Nonprofit, public agencies or governmental entities application fee:
$100 plus $25 per unit.
C.
These fees are applicable for both original applications as well
as for applications for permit modifications that are deemed to be
substantial by the Board.
Within seven days of receiving a complete application, the Board
shall notify each applicable local board of the application by sending
such local board a notice of the application and a copy of the list
of waivers required by 760 CMR 56.05(2)(h). Based upon that list,
it shall also, within the same seven days, invite the participation
of each applicable local board as is deemed necessary or helpful in
making its decision upon such application by providing such local
board with a copy of the entire application (such copies to be provided
by the applicant upon request).
Incomplete applications shall receive a procedural denial. Within seven days of filing an application for a comprehensive permit, the Zoning Administrator shall review each application for purpose of insuring completeness in accordance with §§ 311-3.01 and 311-3.02. The review shall not be substantive or evaluative in nature but only to determine if the required information has been included in the application. If the Zoning Administrator determines the application is incomplete, the Zoning Administrator shall notify the applicant in writing that the application is incomplete and list any deficiency identified in the course of review. Such notice shall state that the comprehensive permit is denied. Any such procedural denial is without prejudice to the applicant and the applicant may reapply at any time. All such procedural denials will also be filed with the Town Clerk. Under no circumstances may the Zoning Administrator grant additional time for an applicant to modify or update a pending application.
Prior to the taking of any evidence at the first public hearing
for any comprehensive permit, the Board shall make a finding that
the application is complete. If the Board is unable to make such a
finding, the Board shall issue a procedural denial. The Board may
grant additional time for an applicant to modify or update a pending
application.
A new filing fee shall be waived for any applicant receiving
a procedural denial if a new application is filed within sixty (60)
days of the issuance of the procedural denial and there has been no
more than one procedural denial issued against the property.
If, after receiving an application, the Board determines that in order to review the application it requires technical advice in such areas as civil engineering, transportation, environmental resources, design review of buildings and site, and [in accordance with 760 CMR 56.05(6) and § 311-4.03 below] review of financial statements that is unavailable from municipal employees, it may employ outside consultants. Whenever possible it shall work cooperatively with the applicant to identify appropriate consultants and scopes of work and to negotiate payment of part or all of consultant fees by the applicant. Alternatively, the Board may, by majority vote, require that the applicant pay a reasonable review fee in accordance with 760 CMR 56.05(b) for the employment of outside consultants chosen by the Board alone. The Board should not impose unreasonable or unnecessary time or cost burdens on an applicant. Legal fees for general representation of the Board or other local boards shall not be imposed on the applicant. The Board may require that an applicant deposit a lump sum in order to retain consultants. In the event that such sum is insufficient to fund the necessary consulting services, the Board may require additional deposits.
A review fee may be imposed only if:
A.
The work of the consultant consists of review of studies prepared
on behalf of the applicant, and not of independent studies on behalf
of the Board;
B.
The work is in connection with the applicant's specific project;
and
C.
All written results and reports are made part of the record before
the Board. A review fee may only be imposed in compliance with applicable
law and the Board's rules. All fees assessed pursuant to 760
CMR 56.05(5)(b) shall be reasonable in light of:
(1)
The complexity of the proposed project as a whole;
(2)
The complexity of particular technical issues;
(3)
The number of housing units proposed;
(4)
The size and character of the site;
(5)
The projected construction costs; and
(6)
Fees charged for similar consultants and scopes of work in the
area. As a general rule, the Board may not assess any fee greater
than the amount which might be appropriated from town or city funds
to review a project of similar type and scale in the town or city.
The Board may request an outside review of the pro forma or
other financial statements for a project only after the following
preconditions have been met:
A.
Other consultant review has been completed;
B.
The applicant has had an opportunity to modify its original proposal
to address issues raised;
C.
The Board has had an opportunity to propose conditions to mitigate
the project's impacts and to consider requested waivers; and
D.
The applicant has indicated that it does not agree to the proposed
condition(s) or Waiver denial(s) because they would render the project
uneconomic. A Board may not conduct review of a pro forma in order
to see whether a project would still be economic if the number of
dwelling units were reduced, unless such reduction is justified by
a valid health, safety, environmental, design, open space, planning,
or other local concern that directly results from the size of a project
on a particular site, consistent with 760 CMR 56.07(3).
The Board shall comply with any requirements of the Uniform
Procurement Act, MGL c. 30B by establishing a list of consultants
if required. The list shall be available to the public for inspection
during normal business hours of the Board. The list of consultants
shall contain the particular consultant's specialty (profession)
and hourly billing rate.
Funds received by the Board pursuant to this section shall be
deposited with the Treasurer of the Town of Falmouth who shall establish
a special account for this purpose, consistent with the terms and
provisions of MGL c. 44, § 53G. Expenditures from this special
account may be made at the direction of the Board without further
appropriation. Expenditures from this special account shall be made
only for services rendered in connection with a specific project or
projects for which a project review fee has been or will be collected
from the applicant. Accrued interest may also be spent for this purpose.
Failure of an applicant to pay a review fee within the stated time
period shall be grounds for denial of the comprehensive permit application.
At the completion of the Board's review of a project, any
excess amount in the account, including interest, attributable to
a specific project shall be repaid to the applicant or the applicant's
successor in interest. A final report of said account shall be made
available to the applicant or applicant's successor in interest.
For the purpose of this rule, any person or entity claiming to be
an applicant's successor in interest shall provide the Board
with documentation establishing such succession in interest.
Any applicant aggrieved by the imposition of, or the amount
of, the consultant fee, or any act related thereto, may appeal according
to the provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws.
The Board shall open a hearing within thirty (30) days of its
receipt of a complete application, and it shall thereafter pursue
the hearing diligently. A hearing shall not extend beyond one hundred
eighty (180) days from the date of opening the hearing, presuming
that the applicant has made timely submissions of materials in response
to reasonable requests of the Board that are consistent with its powers
under 760 CMR 56.05, except with the written consent of the applicant.
The Board shall render a decision, based on a majority vote
of the Board, within forty (40) days after termination of the public
hearing, unless such time period is extended by written agreement
of the Board and the applicant. The hearing is deemed terminated when
all public testimony has been received and all information requested
by the Board that it is entitled to receive has been submitted. In
making its decision, the Board shall take into consideration the recommendations
of local boards, but shall not be required to adopt same. The Board
shall file its decision within fourteen (14) days in the office of
the Falmouth Town Clerk, and it shall forward a copy of any comprehensive
permit to the applicant or its designated representative and to the
Department when it is filed.
The Board may dispose of the application in the following manner:
A.
Approve a comprehensive permit on the terms and conditions set forth
in the application;
B.
Approve a comprehensive permit with conditions with respect to height,
site plan, size, shape or building materials that address matters
of local concern; or
C.
Deny a comprehensive permit as not consistent with local needs if
the Board finds that there are no conditions that will adequately
address local concern.
The Board, in its decision, may make a comprehensive permit
subject to any of the following conditions or requirements:
A.
The grant of the subsidy by the subsidizing agency;
B.
Issuance of final approval by the subsidizing agency pursuant to
760 CMR 56.04(7);
C.
The securing of the approval of any state or federal agency with
respect to the project which the applicant must obtain before building,
provided, however, that the Board shall not delay or deny an application
on the grounds that any state or federal approval has not been obtained;
D.
Complete or partial waiver ordered by the Board of fees otherwise
assessed or collected by local boards; or
E.
Any other condition consistent with MGL c. 40B, §§ 20
through 23 and with 760 CMR 56.00.
A.
The Board shall not issue any order or impose any condition that
would cause the building or operation of the project to be uneconomic,
including a requirement imposed by the Board on the applicant:
(1)
To incur costs of public infrastructure or improvements off
the project site that:
(2)
To reduce the number of units for reasons other than evidence
of local concerns within the purview of the Board (see 760 CMR 56.05(4)(e);
see also 760 CMR 56.07(3)(c - h) regarding evidence that would be
heard by the Committee on an appeal), such as design, engineering,
or environmental deficiencies that directly result from the impact
of a project on a particular site.
B.
If a proposed nonresidential element of a project is not allowed
by right under applicable provisions of the Town of Falmouth Zoning
Bylaw, a condition shall not be considered uneconomic if it would
modify or remove such nonresidential element.
It shall be the applicant's burden to demonstrate that
the waiver of any particular local regulation, bylaw or ordinance
is necessary in order to maintain the project's economic viability.
There shall be a presumption that the waiver of any local bylaw, ordinance
or regulation will adversely affect local concern.
If a subdivision of land is involved, the following shall apply:
A.
No construction is permitted until a definitive subdivision plan
has been submitted to and approved by the Board;
B.
The definitive subdivision plan shall be prepared and submitted in
accordance with the Town Of Falmouth's regulations governing
the subdivision of land. The Zoning Board and not the Planning Board
is the permit granting agency.
No comprehensive permit shall take effect until a copy of the
decision, bearing the certification of the Town Clerk that twenty
(20) days have elapsed after the filing of the decision and no appeals
have been filed, is recorded in the Registry of Deeds and is indexed
under the name of the owner of record of the land.
In the event that, during the public hearing, the applicant
proposes any changes in its application or project plans that, in
the Board's discretion, constitutes a material or substantial
change to the project, the applicant shall provide a new site-eligibility
letter from the designated subsidizing agency.
In the event of material or substantial changes, the Board may request, and the applicant shall provide, any and all information specified in § 311-3.00 hereof that is deemed by the Board to be necessary to evaluate such changes.
In the event of a material or substantial change, any and all
plans and supporting information shall be provided to all of the applicable
local boards.
If the applicant submits a revised plan for the Board's
consideration and said plan is the plan that is the subject of the
Board's hearing and deliberation, then the application shall
be deemed to be revised, subject to the foregoing provisions.
If the Board approves the comprehensive permit, any person aggrieved
may appeal within the time period and to the court provided in MGL
c. 40A, § 17.
If the Board denies the comprehensive permit or approves the
permit with conditions or requirements considered by the applicant
to be unacceptable, the applicant may appeal to the Housing Appeals
Committee as provided in MGL c. 40B § 22.
