The Planning Board, established under Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 41, Section 81A, is an elected board comprised of seven members, each with a three year term.

The Planning Board's primary responsibilities include:

• Administering subdivision regulations. A subdivision is a parcel of land that is divided into two or more lots and generally requires the construction of a new road.
  
• Serving as the Site Plan and Special Permit Granting Authority for development proposals in the business and commercial districts.
  
• Serving as Special Permit Granting Authority for the Town's Earth Removal, Watershed Protection and Aquifer Protection Bylaws.
  
• Reviewing and proposing amendments to the Town Zoning Bylaws.
  

As mentioned, the Planning Board is responsible for approval of most new development in Town. These include divisions of land to create new buildable lots and site plans/special permits for new commercial and multi-family development. State and local laws which govern the process for these approvals are MGL Chapter 40A (the Zoning Act); MGL Chapter 41, Sections 81K - 81GG (the Subdivision Control Law) (see also an overview of the Subdivision Control Law); the Town of Wrentham Subdivision Rules and Regulations and the Town of Wrentham Zoning Bylaws. Most non-residential development in town requires the grant of special permit from the Planning Board. Massachusetts has very specific requirements for the special permit hearing and decision-making process.

Applications are scheduled for Public Hearings or Planning Board approval when completed application forms, plans and required fees are received at the Planning Board office. All material received by the Planning Board in connection with applications is considered public information and can be seen during posted office hours.

The Planning Board also considers and prepares amendments to the Town of Wrentham Zoning By-laws. They conduct public hearings on these amendments and on zoning amendments that are submitted to the Board by way of citizen petition through the proper procedures governed by State laws.

Please visit the State's website for additional land use related educational materials.

If you have other questions or need additional information, please call the Planning Board office at 508-384-5441 during posted office hours, or email us at:

• Due to a member resignation, there is a vacant seat on the Planning Board.  The Planning Board and Board of Selectmen will jointly appointing a new member to hold the position until the annual election in April. If you have any interest in filling this position, please send an email to us.

• A new fee schedule has been adopted.  Please be sure to refer to the new fees before filing an application.  Find the new fee schedule, along with new Rules and Regulations Governing Special Permits and Site Plans, under FORMS AND DOCUMENTS below.
  

• Announcing Office Hours for Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Conservation Commission
  
  
  Tuesday    9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  Wednesday    9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
  Thursday    11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  Friday        8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

• Refer green frame to right for information on when the Planning Board secretary Diana Gray will be covering the counter.

• BREAKING NEWS: Big changes happening in the Planning Office ... in fact, not just with Planning but with Zoning Board of Appeals and Conservation Commission too.  Administrative operations for the three departments will be merged to provide increased counter (customer service) hours.  Recent budget cuts have impacted the support staff budget of these three departments resulting in offices being only open one or two days a week.  This plan involves moving the admin staff into the former Planning Board office.  The admins have scheduled their hours to allow for the office to be open almost full time.  While there is likely to be a slight learning curve for the ConCom secretary to learn about the ZBA and PB operations, and vice versa, in the meantime, staff can serve as "triage" and direct residents and other customers as appropriate.  Please check out the improved/increased hours posted above.  We have also provided Diana Gray's hours (PB and ZBA secretary) in the event you know you need to speak specifically to her.  Just a reminder, general inquires can be handled by either Diana or Lee Ann.
  

• The Planning Board has voted to add PUBLIC INPUT under General Business on all future agendas.  The Board would like to hear from residents and business owners on any planning related issues.  What uses do you think should be allowed in Wrentham? Where? Any suggestions on current regulations.  Come to a meeting and let us know your thoughts. Or send us an email at planningboard@wrentham.ma.us.

• Documents pertaining to proposed projects can be found on this website. If you look to the left, in the green frame, under Planning Board, you will see a heading for Proposed Project. Click that link to see the documents available.

• We have also added Public Hearing notices to the green frame on the left. We will post updated hearing notices as they become available. If a public hearing is continued, new notices (abutter and advertisting) will NOT be issued. 
  

• The meetings of the Planning Board are open to the public and are held at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesday of each month in the Second Floor Meeting Room of the Town Hall (unless otherwise posted).

• All meetings are open to the public, and public input is encouraged.
  

• The Planning Board accepts comments on all applications they are reviewing. These comments may be made verbally at the hearing, or in writing.  Written comments may be delivered ; either by mail, hand or fax at (508) 384-3174.  Our email address is: planningboard@wrentham.ma.us. All comments submitted become part of the official record.

• A meeting agenda is posted with the Town Clerk in Town Hall, on this website and at the Wrentham Public Safety Building no less than forty-eight hours prior to the meeting.

• If you are interested in a particular item or hearing, we strongly recommend you call the office to confirm the date and time of the public hearing.

 

Click here for a Guide to the permitting process.

Q. How often does the Planning Board meet?

A. The Planning Board meets on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Meetings are held in the Second Floor Conference Room starting at 7:00 pm


Q. How long does it take to get on the Planning Board's agenda for permits?

A. Special Permit and Definitive Plans are scheduled for a public hearing usually 4 to 5 weeks after the application is received. Site Plan Reviews are scheduled for an agenda 2 to 4 weeks after being received. Approval Not Required plans are scheduled for the next available meeting.

The Planning Board's agenda closes at noon on the Friday before the meeting.  All documents, plans and correspondence to be considered during a Board's meeting should be submitted prior to this deadline.

Q. Where can I get a copy of the Planning Board's regulations?

A. Wrentham Planning Board Subdivision Rules & Regulations as well as the Zoning Bylaws can be obtained at the Town Clerk’s Office.

MGL Chapter 40A

MGL Chapter 41