What is the role of the Planning Board?

The establishment of the Planning Board is authorized by Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 41, Section 81A.  The Planning Board is charged with the following duties:

• Adopting a Master Plan and official town map of Rehoboth
• Conducting studies, and when necessary, preparing plans of the resources, possibilities and needs of the town
• Serve as the local authority for the Subdivision Control Act; adopting Rules and Regulations governing the subdivision of land in Rehoboth, reviewing all preliminary and definitive subdivision plan submittals
• Drafting and submitting zoning amendments for consideration by the town.  When a zoning amendment has been put forward, the Planning Board holds the public hearing and may also report its recommendation to the Board of Selectmen and Town Meeting.
• Serve as the Special Permit Granting Authority for permit applications for the following:
  • Groundwater Special Permit
  • Wind Energy Facility Permit
  • Large-Scale Ground-Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Permit
  • Common Driveway Permit
• Reviewing and approving of acceptance of streets as town public ways with the recommendation to the Town Meeting; recommending roads for consideration as a scenic road
• Serving as a Site Plan review authority