Planning Board

Meetings

The Planning Board holds regularly scheduled meetings at least once each month. All meetings are open to the public and we welcome your input. Planning Board meetings are typically held in conformance with the following details: 

• 7 p.m.
• 1st Wednesday of each month
• Longmeadow High School, Room A15. Please check meeting agenda for alternate locations during summer months.

On rare occasions, meeting dates, times, and/or location can vary due to unforeseen situations, please check agenda and calendar prior to attending meetings.

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to meetings. Minutes are available following approval. 

View Most Recent Agendas and Minutes

Members

The Planning Board is an elected Town board of 5 members, each with a 5-year term. 

• Cheryl Thibodeau, Chair
• Walter Gunn, Clerk
• Bruce Colton
• Donald Holland
  
• Chris Legiadre

About the Board

The Board operates under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A and Chapter 41. The purpose of the Planning Board is to guide the development of the Town in the best interests of all its residents. The Board has very specific responsibilities and authorities as granted by Massachusetts General Laws and the Zoning Bylaws of the Town of Longmeadow.

Zoning Bylaw Changes

The Zoning Bylaws of the Town have evolved over the years in an effort to maintain the unique character of Longmeadow. The Bylaws provide for the acceptable uses (i.e., residential, commercial, etc.) within various land areas or “zones” within the town as well as setting forth such items as the size of lots, required street frontage, and design and location elements for various types of structures within those zones. The Board on an ongoing basis reviews the Town’s Zoning bylaws and makes recommendations for changes to keep the bylaws current in terms of the Town’s present state of development.

Any requests for Zoning Bylaw changes or amendments are also reviewed by the Board. Public hearings are held to allow input from any abutters or other interested citizens. The Board is required to provide a recommendation on any Zoning Bylaw amendment at Town Meeting, where a 2/3 vote is required to approve the change.

Subdivision Responsibilities

The Planning Board is responsible for the review and approval of all subdivisions (the division of a tract of land into 2 or more lots). The Board oversees a comprehensive process involving review by relevant municipal departments and regulatory agencies, public hearings, covenants with developers for betterments, performance bonding, and ongoing compliance monitoring.

Site and Design Review

Under “Site and Design Review” in the Zoning Bylaws, the Planning Board has the responsibility to ensure that prior to any new construction or significant changes to an existing structure, other than single family dwellings, such factors as community needs, abutters’ concerns, visual amenities, safety issues, and environmental and historic features on the site and in adjacent areas are considered.

Project Planning Assistance

All applicants are encouraged to start with a preliminary meeting which allows the applicant and the Town to have a conversation about the possible site development and the specifics of the permitting process. From the preliminary meeting, the applicant can expect:

• To better understand what is and is not allowed on a specific property, per Town Zoning Bylaws and any other local or state regulations governing land use;
• To better understand the potential permitting processes and timelines involved;
• To better understand what will be required of both the applicant and the Town, should the applicant decide to move forward; and
• To establish the next steps.

Applicants are not expected to have site plans or official application submittal materials at a stage one meeting but are encouraged to bring whatever preliminary documents are available. There are no obligations from either side as a result of this meeting; it is strictly informational.

For more information on a project's permitting process you may visit Community Development Permitting Portal. To request a preliminary meeting with relevant Town staff, contact the Planning Director by email or by calling 413-565-4110.

Contact Information

You may contact the Board by emailing the Chair at the email address linked under Members above or by contacting the Planning Director's office at 413-565-4110 or by email.