Planning staff proposes modest increases, new categories and penalty for late filings

Planning staff presented a proposed overhaul of the Town of Braintree’s planning application fee schedule during the Feb. 10 meeting, saying the schedule has not been updated since 2015 and that modest increases and new categories are needed to reflect review workload.

Assistant Director Gao summarized the packet and a redline fee schedule staff circulated to the board. The proposal includes small increases to subdivision fees to align with neighboring communities, about a 10% increase for most commercial site‑plan review fees (with a $5,500 flat cap retained at one threshold), and a revised fee structure for change‑of‑use/special permits that would combine a base fee with a per‑1,000‑square‑foot charge (maximum $5,000) in place of a flat fee. Gao also said staff added new fee categories for modification requests and for as‑built plan submissions, and recommended a penalty equal to double the normal application fee for work completed prior to planning board approval.

Board members asked for clarifications on several points, including why a 1–2 unit site‑plan category exists (staff said site‑plan review generally applies to multifamily developments and staff will examine applicability), comparability with neighboring towns and whether some special permit uses could be reclassified as of‑right to reduce permit burden. Members asked staff to return with a cleaned‑up schedule and suggested a vote at a subsequent meeting once the 1–2 unit and applicability issues are resolved.

No vote was taken on the fee schedule that night; staff will return with clarifications and a revised draft for board consideration.