Planning staff outlines 'recode' thresholds to shift many small site plans to administrative review; board raises notice and neighborhood concerns

Planning Department staff presented an extended proposal to recalibrate site‑plan thresholds under a forthcoming recode, arguing the new matrix would align standards with common development requests and reduce the need for frequent waivers. Presenter Connor described a three‑factor framework — building type, district type, and a new land‑type classification (L1–L6) tied to growth capacity — that would determine whether a project is reviewed administratively by staff or brought to the Planning Board.

Connor said the approach is intended to be contextual rather than strictly binary: "In the new code, we're gonna try to tailor a threshold where it's not just a static, above‑the‑line, below‑the‑line situation," he said. He reviewed recent case studies (44 Franklin St., an Audi dealership expansion, 18 Abbot St., 106 Pine St., and Fort Beard St.) to show how the new code could reduce repetitive requests for relief such as off‑site parking allowances, setback flexibility, and density adjustments.

Several board members asked whether major percentage changes in unit counts — cited by members as a 75% increase at 18 Abbot Street — should be allowed to proceed administratively. Alderman Patricia Klee raised a key concern: "This eliminates the abutters," arguing that residents lose a chance to be heard when applications are handled without Planning Board notice. Staff and Connor responded that the proposed thresholds would include backstops (floor‑area and district‑transition triggers), retain Tech Review Committee and departmental checks (fire, engineering), and preserve appeal paths; they also said staff plans to formalize notifications and provide post‑decision reporting to the board.

Board members offered a range of preferences from conservative (favoring more Planning Board hearings) to moderate approaches. Staff said it will produce maps and a refined matrix for further review by PEDC and the Board of Aldermen as the next steps in the recode process.