Walter Gunn, Chair
Bruce Colton
Gerard Nolet
Kenneth Taylor
Roy Johansen
Kim Gerhing, Recording Secretary
The Planning Board is an elected town board of five members, each with a five year term. The Board operates under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A and Chapter 41.
The purpose of the Planning Board is to guide the development of the Town in the best interests of all its residents. The Board has very specific responsibilities and authorities as granted by Massachusetts General Laws and the Zoning By-Laws of the Town of Longmeadow.
The Zoning By-Laws of the Town have evolved over the years in an effort to maintain the unique character of Longmeadow. The By-Laws provide for the acceptable uses (Residential, Commercial, etc) within various land areas or “Zones” within the town as well as setting forth such items as the size of lots, required street frontage, and design and location elements for various types of structures within those zones. The Board on an ongoing basis reviews the Town’s Zoning By-Laws and makes recommendations for changes to keep the By-Laws current in terms of the Town’s present state of development.
Any requests for Zoning By-Law changes or amendments are also reviewed by the Board. Public hearings are held to allow input from any abutters or other interested citizens. The Board is required to provide a recommendation on any Zoning By-Law amendment at Town Meeting, where a two-thirds vote is required to approve the change.
The Planning Board is responsible for the review and approval of all subdivisions (the division of a tract of land into two or more lots). The Board oversees a comprehensive process involving review by relevant regulatory agencies, public hearings, covenants with developers for betterments, performance bonding, and ongoing compliance monitoring.
Under “Site and Design Review”, in the Zoning By-Laws, the Board also has the responsibility to assure that prior to any new construction or significant changes to an existing structure, other than single family dwellings, such factors as community needs, abutters’ concerns, visual amenities, safety issues, and environmental and historic features on the site and in adjacent areas are considered.
The Planning Board serves as a resource to assist interested individuals with the process of proposing plans or projects under the Zoning By-Laws. Communications are maintained on an ongoing basis with related Town agencies including the Zoning Board of Appeals and other planning groups within the Town such as the Long Range Planning Committee.
The Planning Board holds regularly scheduled meetings at least once each month. All meetings are open to the public and we welcome your input. Meeting notices can be found on the Longmeadow.org home page under “upcoming events”.
You may contact the Board by calling Beverly Rose (Planning and Comunity Development Office) at 565-4153.
The LONGMEADOW PLANNING BOARD will meet at 7 PM in the Longmeadow Police Station Community Room on June 5. The agenda (see link below) is posted at least 48 hours before the meeting.
Public Documents
Planning Board – Rules and Regulations
Rules and Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land- Town of Longmeadow
Permitting Guidebook A useful guidebook for citizens, businesses and property developers to understand the “permitting” process in the town of Longmeadow.