Planning Board

The primary purpose of the Planning Board is to understand and implement the Washington Zoning Bylaws, as well as make additions and revisions to the bylaws as needed and approved of by the town. 

The Planning Board is the Special Permit granting authority for the Town. In addition, the Planning Board is also responsible for reviewing “Form A” subdivisions of land ANR (Approval Not Required) and implementing the Rules and Regulations governing the subdivision of land. 

The Planning Board is responsible for initiating and facilitating the process of creating and overseeing a Master Plan and assists the Select Board and other town departments and committees with making decisions on said planning Topics.

Authority and Duties

The establishment of municipal Planning Boards is authorized by Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 41, Section 81A. Among its many diverse roles, the Planning Board is charged with the following duties:

• Adopting a master plan and official map of the town;
• Conducting studies and, when necessary, preparing plans of the resources, possibilities and needs of the town for submittal to the Select Board for their consideration;
• Serving as the local authority for the Subdivision Control Act; adopting Rules and Regulations governing the subdivision of land in the town; reviewing all preliminary and definitive plan submittals;
• Drafting and submitting zoning amendments for consideration by the municipality. When a zoning amendment has been put forward, the Planning Board holds the public hearing and may reports its recommendation to the Select Board and Town Meeting;
• Serving as the special permit granting authority;
• Serving as Site Plan Review Authority for all Special Permits A-2 under consideration by the Zoning Board of Appeals;
• Is always the “party of interest” in administrative appeals, special permit applications, and variance petitions within the municipality and in adjacent cities and towns;
• Under M.G.L. Ch. 40, § 15C, the Scenic Roads Act, the Planning Board is enabled to recommend roads for municipal consideration and is empowered to oversee specified activities.

The Planning Board consists of five elected officials who serve for five-year terms, with one seat being up for election each year.