Special Permits from Planning Board

Both the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals act as a Special Permit Granting Authority (SPGA.)  Section 3.2, “Schedule of Use Regulations” details which uses require a Special Permit and which board is the SPGA for a particular use. Special Permits are intended to provide detailed review of certain Uses and Structures that may have substantial impact upon traffic, utility systems, and the character of the Town.

Uses that require a Special Permit from the Planning Board also require a Site Plan Review.  To expedite the permitting process, both the Site Plan Review Application and Special Permit Application are incorporated into a single public hearing and decision. Applicants should officially request a Special Permit for their particular use and, otherwise, follow the procedures for a Site Plan Review.  Please refer to Section 3.6 of the Zoning Bylaws for the Procedures and Design Standards.

Uses that require a Special Permit from the Planning Board include:

• Multi-family dwellings with more than four (4) units
• Golf Courses
• Outdoor Commercial Recreation
• Wireless Communication Towers
• Funeral Homes
• Hotels, Motels
• Business Centers (3 or more grouped businesses)
• Fuel Suppliers
• Industrial Uses and Industrial Parks
• Common Driveways
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities
• Projects filing under the Incentive Zoning Bylaw
• Medical Marijuana Treatment Center

Public Hearings are required for all Special Permit Applications.