MARPA issued a Best Practices Guide for Streamlined Local Permitting in 2007 to help its member communities “make permitting more predictable, equitable, cost effective, and efficient while reinforcing local jurisdiction, encouraging community-supported projects, preserving local resources, and maintaining the standard of review.”
The Guide contains complete details on the necessity for predictable, effective local permitting and the following useful subsections:
Improving Communication
- #1 Single Point of Contact
- #2 User’s Guide to Local Permitting
- #3 Permitting Flow Charts & Checklists
- #4 Clear Submittal Requirements
- #5 Concurrent Applications
- #6 Combined Public Hearings
- #7 Pre-Application Process
- #8 Project Technical Review Team
- #9 Regularly Scheduled Inter-Departmental Meetings
- #10 Physical Proximity of Professional Staff
- #11 Development Agreements
- #12 Encourage the Use of Third-Party Consultants
Standardizing the Permitting Process
- #13 Predictable Impact Fees
- #14 Objective Criteria for Special Permits, Of-Right Zoning, and Master Plans
- # 15 Effective Use of Site Plan Approval
- #16 Two-Tier Assessment Process
- #17 Delegating Minor Decisions to Staff
- #18 Uniform Timelines, Notifications, and Appeals
Subsection: Resources for Improving Local Permitting Performance
- #19 Adequate Staffing
- #20 Create a Culture of Training
- #21 Maximize the Municipal Website
- #22 Electronic Permit Tracking Systems
- #23 Create an Electronic Filing Process for Permit Applicants
Subsection: Planning
- #24 Selecting Preferred Sites for Commercial or Industrial Development
- #25 Designating Priority Development Sites Under Chapter 43D
- 26 Pre-Permitting for Selected Sites
To view the full Guide, visit the Best Practices Model for Local Permitting section of the MA Executive Office of Energy and Economic Development Website. Contact your MARPA member RPA for additional information.