Site Plan Review & Revision

Site Plan Review applications are required for uses listed as "SPR" in the Use Tables found in Sections 44-34 and 45-290 of the Town's Ordinances. In general, Site Plan Review applications are required for a broad range of commercial uses, structures in shoreland zones that do not meet the applicable water setback, and other uses on the Use Tables and throughout the ordinances that specify Site Plan Review, such as multifamily housing. Section 33 of the Town's ordinances outlines the process and application requirements to file a Site Plan Review application. 

Steps to Submit a Site Plan Review Application:  

1. Discuss the project with the Town Planner to obtain ordinance requirements. You may schedule a meeting by emailing or calling the Town Planner. 
2. The Town Planner will provide requirements applicable to the project using the Site Plan Review Checklist. This checklist clearly outlines the ordinance standards and should be used as a guide for the application process. 
3. Submit all materials as indicated on the checklist and pay the applicable fee for Site Plan Review, which is listed in Section 1-25 of the ordinances. The Planning Board reviews applications on the second meeting of the month. The first meeting of the month is designated for administrative matters and workshop discussions. 
4. The Planner will review the application and materials, prepare a plan review memo for the Board, and add the material to an upcoming Planning Board meeting. The Planner's review process is available, and the plan review memo along with notification of the agenda are sent to the applicant in advance of the meeting. 
5. The applicant should attend every meeting at which the application is listed on the agenda.

Information about Site Plan Revisions: Once the Planning Board has approved a Site Plan Review application, the site must be developed in conformance with that approved site plan. Any proposed revision to the Planning Board's originally approved site plan must be re-submitted to the Planning Board for review, per Section 33-140 of the Town's ordinances. The Planning Board makes the determination whether the proposed revisions are minor or substantial, which will further impact abutting landowners. If the Planning Board determines that the proposed site revisions are substantial, the applicant will be required to complete the Site Plan Review Process outlined above. To begin the process of a revision to an originally approved site plan, please first contact the Planner to discuss the proposed revisions to the site. The application form to use to request a revision to an approved site plan is the Request for Planning Board Action application. 

Helpful Links and Ordinance Standards to Use When Planning Your Proposed Application: 

• You can use the Town's Assessor Database to search for the map and lot number for the address where you are planning the work. 
• You can also use the Town's GIS system to generate a scaled plan, look up zoning districts, and other applicable layers. There is a wealth of information on this system that may be useful in your planning process. 
• Section 45-290: Land Use Table - The Land Use Table delineates in what district certain specified uses are allowable, as well as what type of approval process is required, if any. 
• Section 44-34: Land Use Table in Shoreland Zoning - If you are planning a project in the shoreland zone, you should also check this section of the ordinances to ensure that the use is permittable in the applicable shoreland zone. 
• Section 45-405: Dimensional Standards - This ordinance specifies the minimum lot size, setbacks, lot coverage and other dimensional requirements for proposed structures on site. 
• Section 45, Article 10: This section of the ordinances delineates off-street parking and loading requirements based on the uses(s) of the site(s). 
• Section 45: This section of the ordinances contains the zoning standards. 
• Section 44: This section of the ordinances contains the shoreland zoning standards, which are applicable if the property is located in any of the shoreland zones. 
• Section 35: If your proposed project will disturb more than one acre of land, provisions of the Town's Post Construction Stormwater Management Ordinance will apply.
• Section 18: Certain properties in Town, per standards of this ordinance, are required to connect to the sewer system when property ownership changes. 

The above list is meant to provide resources, and is not inclusive of every ordinance and/or requirement. 

State and Federal requirements also apply, depending on the type of proposed project. Please see the list of State and Federal Resources for more information. 

Any questions? Please feel to email or call the Planning Department. We look forward to working with you.