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Planning and Community Development - Planning Division

Town of Braintree Department of Planning and Community Development

Planning Division
90 Pond Street (2nd floor)
Braintree, MA 02184
781 794-8230
Fax: 781 794-8089

Personnel
Director: Christine Stickney, 781 794-8232, cstickney@braintreema.gov
Principal Planner: Melissa Santucci, 781 794-8234, msantucci@braintreema.gov
Administrative Assistant: Linda Raiss, 781 794-8235, lraiss@braintreema.gov

Departmental Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Department Description

PLANNING BOARD AND STAFF

The Planning Board focuses on minimizing and regulating the impacts the Town faces relating to land use and development, particularly those conditions affecting quality of life, public welfare, traffic and public safety.  The Planning Board considers applications for Site Plan Review and those pertaining to the Rules and Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land and also serves as the Special Permit Granting Authority.  Department Staff provides technical and administrative support to the Planning Board, including review on all pending applications under their jurisdiction.  In addition, the Department Staff is a resource for residents and developers on the permitting process as well as a source of approved, pending and potential projects.

The Planning Staff and Board are responsible for encouraging sustainable development, incorporating current planning trends and development patterns as well as researching and drafting amendments to Braintree’s Zoning Ordinance that are in keeping with the Town’s Master Plan.  In conjunction with Town Council, the Planning Board conducts Public Hearings on all Zoning Ordinance amendments, including re-zoning petitions, to gather input from the public as well as various Town boards and departments.  A recommended course of action is forwarded to the Town Council, the legislative body responsible for the adoption of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, who will also hold a Public Hearing.

Other functions of the Planning Staff and Board are to maintain a current Master Plan and to ensure that growth within the Town is consistent with the Master Plan and in accordance with the official Zoning Map.  The Planning Staff and Board focuses on promoting economic development, protecting natural resources, mitigating and improving traffic impacts, encouraging sustainable development principals and on providing a variety of housing choices for residents of all income levels.  The Planning Board also reviews and provides recommendations on applications submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeal and Licensing Board.