Planning Board
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The Holyoke Planning Board is responsible for protecting the health and safety of Holyoke residents while balancing the rights of property owners through the consideration of project submittals, public testimony, and city department comments in conjunction with the laws established for regulating such development through the ZONING ORDINANCE 2023 Massachusetts General Law (MGL), Chapter 41, Section 81A, and MGL Chapter 40A. 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, paraphrased here from the Mass. General Law:
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Adopting a master plan and official map of the city
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Serving as the local authority for the Subdivision Control Act; adopting Rules and Regulations governing the subdivision of land in the City of Holyoke; reviewing all preliminary and definitive plan submittals.
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Serving, in some instances, as the Special Permit Granting Authority
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Serving as Site Plan Review Authority
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Conducting studies, and, when necessary, preparing plans of the resources, possibilities and needs of the city for submittal to the City Council for their consideration
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Drafting and submitting zoning amendments for consideration by the municipality. When a zoning amendment has been put forward, the Planning Board holds a public hearing jointly with the City Council Ordinance Committee and reports its recommendation to the City Council.