Planning

If a project requires public hearings for land use approvals, it will most likely require up to three neighborhood meetings. These types of applications include planned development plans/zoning, and site development plans for residential, large commercial or Downtown projects. Historic Preservation applications also require neighborhood meetings.

Neighborhood meetings are typically required during three stages in the development review process.

1. An initial neighborhood meeting is scheduled where applicants present designs and gather feedback from the neighborhood.
2. The second neighborhood meeting will be scheduled after the applicant submits to the Town. The applicant will present changes that might have been made since the first meeting took place, as well as gather additional feedback from the neighborhood. The original submittal may change after several rounds of Town staff review.
3. A third meeting is scheduled to allow an applicant to present the final version of the project prior to public hearings. Smaller projects, with few changes, may require fewer meetings.

You will coordinate with your Town planner to schedule a date and time for your meeting. You'll provide suggested dates, a meeting location, and a short description about your proposal. Once your meeting dates are confirmed, you'll send out the public notices. Most projects require in-person neighborhood meetings with an option to attend virtually. Sometimes smaller projects can be approved for a virtual-only meeting. Please confirm with your planner which format will be required for your project.

All neighborhood meetings require a public notice, including a mailed version sent by the applicant to nearby residents. Mailed notices must be postmarked within 15 days before the scheduled meeting. The applicant will pick up Public Notice signage from the Town and must post on the subjected property 15 days prior to the meeting. The Town will post the meeting on their website and may post to Town social media platforms.

Applicants should plan to make a clear and detailed presentation of the project. Plan to engage in dialogue with residents and ask for feedback on your proposal.

On the night of the meeting, you should plan to:

• Provide an overview of the project and general information about the development process
• Encourage active participation during the question / answer period
• Record attendance with a sign-in sheet
• Record your meeting

The day after your meeting, you should provide the following to the Town:

• A copy of your meeting presentation (Powerpoint, maps, etc.)
• List of attendees
• Recording of meeting

Residents interested in attending a neighborhood meeting can find more information on our Neighborhood meeting page and the public notice page of our website.