Owner says amended condominium plan ready; planning staff says formal condominium application and public hearing required

Coleman McDonald presented an amended condominium plan for lot 27-4 and said the updated plan incorporates as-built dimensions and corrects prior recording errors that had recorded two units as joined. He said finalizing the plan would allow the sale of a building he has attempted to sell for years.

Planning staff and board members told McDonald that, even though the amended site plan is complete, a condominium-conversion application (a special-permit procedure in Newton) must be filed and heard before the planning board can sign and record the condominium plan. McDonald said he had not realized that the formal condominium application was still required. "I didn't realize that I had to fill out a condominium application," he said.

Why it matters: recording the corrected plan will clear title issues and allow anticipated sales, but state and local condominium regulations and the town’s procedural requirements require a public application and review. Staff said condominium documents are typically reviewed by the planning board's attorney as a condition of approval.

Next steps: McDonald said he will complete and submit the condominium application and expects to return to the planning board for formal approval and signing prior to recording. Board members noted the planning board typically conditions recordation on attorney review of condominium documents and a public hearing.