Community Preservation Application Process

Anyone interested in submitting a CPA project should begin by reviewing the Braintree Community Preservation Committee Application Packet (PDF) and contacting the Department of Planning and Community Development. The department will assist applicants in determining if a proposed project is eligible for CPA funding and will provide guidance in completing the application packet. Submitted applications first undergo a technical review by Planning Division staff. If the staff is satisfied that the project is eligible for funding and the application is complete, the application will be forwarded to the CPC for consideration.

Two Meetings

Upon receipt of the application, the CPC will schedule at least two meetings with the applicant. The first meeting is a preliminary review during which the CPC may ask the applicant for clarification or additional information on the project. The second meeting is a comprehensive review of the application. During the review process the CPC may ask for input from other town committees or boards. The application review may take as little as three months but may take longer based on the nature and scale of the project.

Goals & Criteria

During the application review the CPC will consider a number of factors including the extent to which the application meets Town’s CPA goals and criteria as we outlined. If the CPC votes to support the project the application is forwarded onto the Town Council with a recommendation that it receive funding. The proposal then goes through the town’s legislative process for approval or denial of funding.

Open Space

Goals

• Preserve strategic tracts of undeveloped land
• Create open space through the removal of degraded structures and restoration of open space

Criteria

• Preserves the character of the town and/or neighborhood
• Protects lands important to current and future drinking water quantity and quality
• Protects important surface water bodies, including wetlands, vernal pools, or riparian zones
• Provides flood control/storm water storage
• Protects or enhances wildlife habitat including corridors for wildlife movement or prevents fragmentation of wildlife habitat
• Improves public passive recreational opportunities as well as access and connection to existing trails and potential trail linkages
• Uses land protection strategies that maximize protection at the lowest public cost, such as purchasing development rights as an option to outright purchase.

Historic Resources

Goals

• Protecting historical resources, especially those that are threatened
• Promoting the use of the Town’s historic resources for the enjoyment of the public
• Recognizing, preserving, and enhancing the historic heritage and character of the Town for current and future generations

Criteria

• Level of historic significance
• Level of public benefit
• Level of public support
• Appropriateness and professionalism of proposed work

Outdoor Recreation

Goals

• Expands the range of recreational opportunities for residents of all ages, including community gardening, biking, swimming, fishing, skating, boating, canoeing, hiking and walking, and the use of land as a park, playground, or athletic field

Criteria

• Creation of new recreational opportunities

Community Housing

Goals

• Maintain or enlarge the Town’s percentage of affordable housing units
• Ensure affordability in perpetuity
• Promote re-use of existing buildings and housing stock for affordable housing
• Encourage private/public partnerships
• Bring current affordable housing up to code or make it accessible
• Preserve or enhance existing affordable housing

Criteria

• Promotes affordable housing for a variety of income levels, with the Range of Affordability up to 100% of the Area Median Income
• Aids the town in achieving or maintaining 10% of housing as affordable for those with up to 80% of the Area Median Income
• Provides affordable housing at a scale in harmony with the existing neighborhood
• Allows for local preference pools when administering the renting, sale, or re-sale of affordable housing units and promotes diversity
• Ensures continued availability of affordable housing in the future
• Brings current affordable housing up to code
• Preserves or enhances existing affordable housing for its occupants

Additional Considerations

In addition to considering the goals and criteria for each area of emphasis, the CPC will also consider if the project:

• Saves resources that would otherwise be threatened;
• Meets multiple needs and serves multiple populations and / or a currently underserved population;
• Has an advantageous cost / benefit value;
• Allows for leverage of other funding, either financial or in-kind;
• Satisfies the goals of the Town’s Master Plan, Open Space and Recreation Plan, Affordable Housing Plan, and other planning documents adopted by the Town.