Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 40b - Regional Planning
Section 30 - Technical Assistance Center; Permitting Model; Evaluations and Reporting; Regional Planning Districts to Assist Municipalities

Section 30. (a) There shall be within each regional planning district created under this chapter or by special act, a technical assistance center for the delivery of coordinated, comprehensive, and continuing technical services to and among local governments for the purpose of expediting permitting.
The board of executive directors of the Massachusetts association of regional planning agencies shall develop a state-wide permitting model that municipalities may adopt. The model processes shall expedite local permitting and zoning consistent with chapter 43D.
The board shall direct each regional planning agency to conduct an evaluation of its member cities' and towns' permitting processes and to report its findings to the board. It shall be the responsibility of each regional planning agency to work under the guidance of the board to assist in the development of a state-wide model. The board shall report to the house and senate committees on ways and means not later than November 1, 2007, on recommendations necessary to implement the state-wide model proposed to effectuate such expedited permitting.
The regional planning districts shall, at the request of a member city or town, provide the city or town services and assistance to:—
(1) reduce unnecessary delays and create certainty and predictability as well as promote an efficient and timely appeals process;
(2) create a positive regulatory culture with a bias toward making decisions;
(3) conduct on-going staff training to address applicant questions;
(4) select sites for expedited permitting, while identifying potential issues, concerns, or problem areas;
(5) prepare applications for approval of the sites;
(6) establish clear criteria for determining the completeness of permit applications;
(7) update or eliminate conflicting, cumbersome, and redundant permit processes and procedures;
(8) examine and redraft zoning by-laws to aid in the balanced development of the community; and
(9) develop plans and incentives for residential and commercial development, while taking steps to mitigate the environmental and transportation impacts of new growth.
(b) A city or town shall not be required to receive technical assistance from a regional planning agency in order to participate in the expedited permitting process, pursuant to chapter 43D.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part I - Administration of the Government

Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts

Chapter 40b - Regional Planning

Section 1 - Title of Chapter

Section 2 - Purpose of Chapter

Section 2a - Regional or District Groupings; Consent to Placement

Section 3 - Planning Districts; Establishment; New Members; Jurisdiction Area; Rights and Liabilities

Section 4 - District Planning Commissions; Membership; Employees; Meetings

Section 4a - Executive Committees; Establishment; Membership; Powers and Duties; Reports

Section 4b - Seals Authorized

Section 4c - Federal Military Installations Within Districts; Commanding Officer as Ex Officio Member of Commission

Section 5 - Powers and Duties; Reports

Section 5a - Agreement for Water Favorability Studies

Section 5b - Economic Development Regional Commissions; Authorization to Act

Section 6 - Cooperation of State Agencies With Planning Commissions

Section 7 - Preparation of Budget; Apportionment of Costs; Disbursement of Funds; Receipt of Gifts; Contracts for Planning Studies and Services

Section 8 - Borrowing in Anticipation of Revenue From Member Municipalities

Section 9 - Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District; Establishment

Section 10 - Membership; Termination

Section 11 - Dissolution of Regional Planning Districts; Transitional Provisions; Procedure

Section 12 - Commission; Membership; Appointment; Term

Section 13 - Advisory Committee; Membership; Appointment; Term; Removal; Vacancies

Section 14 - Powers and Duties

Section 15 - Executive Officers; Committees; Meetings; Rules and Records; Expenses

Section 16 - Executive Director; Employees; Tenure; Compensation

Section 17 - Contracts; Expenditures and Obligations

Section 18 - Estimate of Costs; Fiscal Year; Assessment; Limitation; Payment; Reserve Funds; Audit

Section 19 - Data Exchange Between Agencies

Section 20 - Definitions

Section 21 - Low or Moderate Income Housing; Applications for Approval of Proposed Construction; Hearing; Appeal

Section 22 - Appeal to Housing Appeals Committee; Procedure; Judicial Review

Section 23 - Hearing by Housing Appeals Committee; Issues; Powers of Disposition; Orders; Enforcement

Section 24 - Metropolitan Area Planning Council; Composition; Appointments; Vacancies

Section 25 - Council; Officers; Meetings; Rules of Procedure; Report; Treasurer's Bond; Powers and Duties

Section 26 - Establishment; Composition

Section 27 - Mutual Exchange of Data, Etc. Between Council and Other Governmental Agencies

Section 28 - Executive Committee of Council; Composition; Powers and Duties; Executive Director; Staff; Technical Advisory Committees

Section 29 - Inter-Agency Agreements; Expenditures; Assessments; Gifts, Grants, etc.; Fund

Section 30 - Technical Assistance Center; Permitting Model; Evaluations and Reporting; Regional Planning Districts to Assist Municipalities