Policy Order O-6
Councillor McGovern, Mayor Maher, Vice Mayor Benzan
WHEREAS: Members of the community have voiced numerous concerns about the adequacy and quality of neighborhood involvement in the City's review of development proposals, particularly large projects requiring review and approval by the Planning Board; and
WHEREAS: Constructive community engagement in project review does occur in some instances, but the quality has varied depending on the neighborhood, the developer and the specifics of the project; and
WHEREAS: Decision-making bodies such as the Planning Board welcome such community involvement and feedback, but there is no prescribed process by which it should occur; and
WHEREAS: The state Zoning Act (M.G.L. Chaper 40A) establishes limitations on the special permit review process, particularly with regard to a property owner's right to a hearing and decision within a specified timeframe; and
WHEREAS: The City Manager is working with residents, business leaders and planning professionals to advise the City Manager and staff on ways to improve the Planning Board process; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department, the Planning Board and City Solicitor on practices that will result in greater interaction between project applicants and community members prior to the Planning Board hearing on a project; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Community Development Department and the Planning Board to begin testing strategies to enhance such engagement at the earliest opportunity by methods such as requiring developers to hold a public meeting in the neighborhood and provide a report along with the permit application describing public input and changes to the project as a result of such input; and be it further
ORDERED: That based on these efforts the City Manager, the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Community Development Department, Planning Board and City Solicitor to suggest changes to the Planning Board rules, which could be adopted by the Planning Board and/or Zoning Ordinance, which could be enacted by the City Council to codify successful community engagement strategies.