Planning Board Charge

The Planning Board consists of 7 members, appointed for 5-year, staggered terms by the Selectmen. By reason of Chapter 40A, all decisions as special permit granting authority shall require a two-thirds vote.

It shall be the duty of the Planning Board to investigate all petitions calling for a variation, modification, change, or extension of use under the Zoning Bylaw and to report its recommendations thereon to the Board of Appeals.

It shall be the duty of the Planning Board to conduct investigations respecting proposed amendments to the Zoning Bylaw appearing in the Warrant for any Town Meeting, and to present its recommendations to the Town for consideration at such Town Meeting. The Select Board shall cause the Planning Board to be notified of all such proposed amendments.

Subdivision Rules and Regulations set forth the Planning Board's procedures and standards to be followed in the subdivision of land and the construction of ways. The Concord Planning Board is authorized under the General Laws of Massachusetts to regulate the laying out and construction of ways in subdivisions to insure the safety, convenience and welfare of present and future inhabitants of Concord. The Board shall exercise its authority with due regard for the provision of adequate access to all of the lots in a subdivision by ways that will be safe and convenient for travel; for lessening congestion in such ways and in the adjacent public ways; for reducing danger to life and limb in the operation of motor vehicles; for securing safety in the case of fire, flood, panic and other emergencies; for insuring compliance with applicable provisions of the Concord Zoning Bylaw and the Wetlands Protection Act; for securing adequate provision for water, sewerage, drainage, underground utility service, police and fire protection and other requirements where necessary in a subdivision; for coordinating the ways in a subdivision with each other and with the public ways in neighboring subdivisions; and for preserving the special historical and rural character of Concord.