Planning

Responsibilities

One of the Planning Department’s primary responsibilities is to coordinate the Planning Board’s development review processes (e.g., site plan review, special permit, subdivision), through which the Board evaluates and ultimately approves or denies development proposals using local and state regulatory frameworks. Coordination includes several facets, ranging from the receipt and processing of development applications to the arrangement of application peer reviews by third-party engineers to meeting scheduling. The Department is also responsible for ensuring that developments are constructed and that occupancy is granted according to applicable local and state regulations.

Revising and updating Ashland’s Zoning Bylaw – a vital guiding document in the Planning Board’s development review processes - is a critical responsibility of the Planning Department. The Department works closely with members of the Board, Town Counsel, and others to develop appropriate Bylaw update/revision proposals and to steer the proposals through the approval process. Additionally, the Department works to update other guiding documents, such as the local Subdivision Regulations and the Design Review Guidelines, which also guide the Board’s development review processes.

Zoning Amendments

Fall 2022 Town Meeting - Proposed zoning amendment for November 10, 2022 Public Hearing:

Proposed MultiFamily Building Moratorium Amendment

Spring 2022 Town Meeting - Proposed zoning amendment for March 31, 2022 Public Hearing:

Spring 2021 Town Meeting - Proposed zoning amendments for April 22, 2021 Public Hearing:

Fall 2020 Town Meeting - Proposed zoning amendments for Dec. 3, 2020 Public Hearing

The proposed zoning amendments have been removed from the warrant for the December 9th, 2020 Town Meeting. These amendments will be further discussed by the Planning Board and may appear at a future Town Meeting.
Proposed Design Review Bylaw Amendment
Proposed Valentine Overlay District Bylaw
- Proposed Valentine Overlay District Map

Fall 2019 Town Meeting: Proposed Use Change; Proposed BOS Change

Fall 2018 Town Meeting - Proposed Zoning Amendments Information

Spring 2018 Town Meeting - Proposed zoning amendments for April 12, 2018 Public Hearing

Proposed Amended Language - The first proposed amendment changes the zoning map reference to the most current map on file with the Town Clerk. The second a proposed amendment adds a project narrative to the Site Plan Review requirements.

Spring 2018 Town Meeting - Proposed zoning amendments for March 22, 2018 Public Hearing