Let’s plan for the common good!

THE Planning PROCESS

The Planning Board, with a wide-angle lens, considers everything related to:

  • affordable housing
  • Town buildings, roads + seawalls
  • public utilities + services
  • local business + jobs
  • transportation options
  • natural + cultural resources
  • open space + recreation

The Planning Board plays a central role in guiding Hull’s future as we develop our Master Plan. This is an important opportunity to strengthen that role. 

We all have an investment in the welfare of our community. We need a transparent and inclusive decision making process that values public input so our town’s future reflects the voices and shared vision of the people who live here. 

The Planning Board reviews proposals for new commercial, apartment and condo developments to make sure they comply with local zoning — not single-family, duplexes or triple-deckers.

The Planning Board can also decide to waive zoning requirements … or suggest changes to our bylaws to align with the our Master Plan.

This review process shapes the character of our town and these decisions should reflect the community’s long term big-picture vision.

MY Experience

I’ve lived in Hull since 2009 and attended most Planning Board, Design Review Board and HRA meetings since 2023. 

As a member of the Design Review Board which advises the Planning Board, I’m experienced with site plans and familiar with complicated zoning bylaws.

My Approach

I support a thoughtful and fair approach to planning that balances preservation and development, and respects both private property rights and public access. 

My Commitment

I care about the Hull community and want to help plan for the common good. Hull is my home and I’m invested in its future.

PLANNING BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES

Hull’s Planning Board was created in 1951-1952 under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 41, Section 81. The Board reviews site plans for new commercial and multifamily developments but it also has a statutory role in planning. It’s supposed to recommend capital improvement projects to Town officials and share information about at Town Meeting “the condition of the town,” including “plans and proposals for development with estimated cost.”

Section 81D explicitly states that only a planning board makes and alters a Town’s master plan. The master plan provides “a basis for decision making regarding the long-term physical development of the municipality.” From time to time, a planning board orders “careful studies” to analyze the Town’s facility and infrastructure needs, and orders any plans and designs the planning board believes are needed.

Hull’s Town Charter doesn’t assign these responsibilities for planning to the town manager or the select board. The town manager is responsible for coordination of operational and strategic planning as well as maintenance of town property. The select board is the chief goal-setting and policy making body and it has administrative oversight of appointed boards and committees. But neither town manager or select board are authorized to assume or reassign the duties and responsibilities of other elected boards.

MASTER PLAN / PLANNING BOARD SCOPE

GOALS & POLICIES

…for growth and development consistent with community values and goals developed through “an interactive public process”

LAND USE

…a public/private land use plan for population and building density based on capacity of available land, facilities and services

HOUSING

…programs for the preservation, improvement and development of housing based on existing and forecasted need

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

…policies and strategies for the expansion or stabilization of the local economic base and employment opportunities

NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCES

…inventory, policies and strategies for protection and management of natural, cultural and historic resources

OPEN SPACE & RECREATION

…inventory, policies and strategies for protection and management of recreation areas and open space

SERVICES & FACILITIES

…analysis of existing and forecasted needs for facilities and services used by the public

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

…inventory of existing and proposed transportation systems

IMPLEMENTATION
  • a schedule for town actions to achieve MASTER PLAN objectives
  • expansion or replacement of public facilities
  • “anticipated costs and revenues”
  • a process for amending regulations to align with a MASTER PLAN