Planning Board

Overview

The Medfield Planning Board came into existence in 1924 and was established under Chapter 41 of the Massachusetts General Laws in 1951.

The Planning Board is an elected town board of five members, each with a five year term. 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 Medfield Zoning By-Laws.

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

Under “Site Plan Approval”, in the Zoning By-Laws, the Board also has the responsibility to assure 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.

Any requests for Zoning By-Law 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 By-Law amendment at Town Meeting, where a two-thirds vote is required to approve the change.

The Planning Board serves as a resource to assist interested individuals with the process of proposing plans or projects under the Zoning By-Laws. Communications are maintained on an ongoing basis with related Town agencies including the Zoning Board of Appeals and other planning groups within the Town such as the Medfield State Hospital Master Planning Committee.

Related Documents:

- Planning Board Rules and Regulations (includes fee structure)

- Subdivision Regulations and submittal forms (includes fee structure)

- Applications for Site Plan and Special Permits (for Site Plan Review criteria, see Planning Board Rules and Regulations)

- Change of Use Determinations

- Scenic Road Applications (for removal of public shade trees or scenic stone walls)

  1. What is my zoning district?
  2. How do I know what laws apply to my project?
  3. What if I want to construct a new home, addition, or new business?
View All FAQs

Zoom Information for Planning Board Meetings:  

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://medfield-net.zoom.us/j/86808542776?pwd=NnBVWHBUa0oyajhsSU1xME5udFlhUT09

Passcode: 494270

Or Telephone:  US: +1 646 931 3860  or +1 929 436 2866  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 305 224 1968  or +1 309 205 3325  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 669 444 9171  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 689 278 1000  or +1 719 359 4580  or +1 253 205 0468  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 360 209 5623  or +1 386 347 5053  or +1 507 473 4847  or +1 564 217 2000 

Webinar ID: 868 0854 2776

Passcode: 494270

2020_06_01_PlanningBoardMtg

Members 

The Planning Board is comprised of five voting members who are elected for a five year term:

  • Chair – Teresa James (exp. 2027)
  • Vice Chair – Seth Meehan (exp. 2028)
  • Clerk - Paul McKechnie (exp. 2029)
  • Member - Doug Larence (exp. 2030)
  • Member - Corinne Schieffer (appointed to fulfill Sarah Lemke's vacant term, exp. 2026)
  • Sean Tiernan, Associate Member 
  • Vacant Associate Position

Regular Meetings

  • 7:30 p.m.
  • First and third Monday of the month
  • Virtual meetings through Zoom

Correspondence for Board members may be submitted to: mdelafuente@medfield.net or Planning Board, 459 Main Street, Medfield, MA 02052

Planning Board Documents

  1. Downtown Sidewalk Design Guidelines Endorsed by PB 10-20-14 (PDF)
  2. PB Surety Release Request - Road Construction Complete - 2015 (PDF)
  3. Planning Board Rules, Regulations, Policies, and Procedures - January 2018 (PDF)
  4. Change of Use Determination - PB Review (PDF)
  5. PB Application Updated Summer 2020 (PDF)

Links to Other Resources

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Projects Under Review + Applications Submitted to the Planning Board and Other Initiatives

-- For the Montrose School landscaping plans, click here --

02/02/26- Chase Bank Site Plan Approval

01/12/26- Chase Bank Site Plan Approval

01/05/26- MUOD bylaw

12/15/25- Chase Bank Site Plan Approval

12/01/25- MUOD bylaw

11/17/25 - Chase Bank Site Plan Approval

10/27/25- Meeting packet

10/06/25 - Mixed-Use Overlay District

08/25/25 - Trinity/Medfield State Hospital (project file)

06/23/25 - Trinity/Medfield State Hospital (project file), Change of Use Determination for 32 R Spring St

05/15/25 - Trinity/ Medfield State Hospital (original submission) and PPT here; Bellforge Arts Center

04/23/25- 55-59 Green St (Hinkley Modular); 258 Main St (Change of Use Determination); Floodplain PPT and ADU PPT for Town Meeting

04/07/25- Bellforge continued hearing (no new materials submitted)

3/24/25 - Definitive hearing on Spring 2025 Town Meeting articles (see tab to the left of this page titled "Spring Town Meeting 2025 - Zoning Articles")

03/17/25- Joint Planning Board/Zoning Board discussion on draft ADU Bylaw. EOHLC issued a model bylaw on 03/11/25, which can be found here. This is the original draft (prior to the model bylaws being released); this is the updated draft (which incorporates language from the Model bylaw).

02/24/25- Bellforge Site Plan Approval

02/10/25- 10 Noon Hill scenic road hearing

01/27/25- Zoning bylaw discussion for Annual Town Meeting 2025 (meeting packet)

01/06/25- Montrose School (meeting packet)

12/11/24- Montrose School (meeting packet)

11/18/24- Montrose School (meeting packet)

10/21/24- Montrose School (meeting packet)

10/07/24 - Montrose School (meeting packet)

09/09/24 - Montrose School Site Plan Approval hearing and presentation for 09.09.24

04/01/24 - Second MBTA Zoning hearing, Memorial School Solar canopy project SPA (Meeting packet coming soon)

03/28/24- First MBTA Zoning hearing, discussion on potential subdivision of 86 Plain St (Meeting packet here)

03/27/24 - Medfield Economic Visioning Project Workshop #2 (Meeting packet here)

03/04/24 -  Eversource tree removal of 48 public shade trees and Garrison Path continuance from 02/26/24

02/26/24 - Garrison Path subdivision (off Harding St) (updated submission)

02/05/24 - Garrison Path subdivision (off Harding St)

12/18/23 - Montrose School Farmer's Market

11/06/23 -  Bellforge Arts Center Preliminary Site Plan Review (this is an informal, administrative procedure, the Planning Board will not be holding a hearing or taking a vote until the definitive Site Plan Review is submitted). Meeting materials here.

06/05/23 - Covenant Release for Hawthorne

04/24/23 - Kingsbury Club Modification: Paddleball Courts and Patio Application & Plan

04/18/23 - Decision- Medfield State Hospital Redevelopment

04/10/23 - Medfield State Hospital Redevelopment Application Submitted by Trinity Acquisitions LLC Public Hearing #5: Deliberations (no public comments) at 7:30 pm (via zoom) Trinity Final Draft Plans for 04/10/23 / Trinity Presentation 04/03/23 / No formal Submission for 04/03/23 PB Meeting / Trinity Presentation 03/20/23 / Submission for 03/20/23 PB Meeting / Trinity Presentation 03/06/23 / Application & Supporting Documents / Google Drive Link for Supplemental Information Trinity Presentation 02/06/23

04/03/23 - Medfield State Hospital Redevelopment Application Submitted by Trinity Acquisitions LLC Public Hearing #4 at 7:35 pm (in person at Public Safety Building Training Room) Trinity Presentation 04/03/23 / No formal Submission for 04/03/23 PB Meeting  / Trinity Presentation 03/20/23 / Submission for 03/20/23 PB Meeting / Trinity Presentation 03/06/23 / Application & Supporting Documents / Google Drive Link for Supplemental Information  Trinity Presentation 02/06/23

03/20/23 - Change of Use Determination - Sarah Halfrey, Interior Design Studio & Showroom, 1 Greene St Application

03/20/23 - Medfield State Hospital Redevelopment Application Submitted by Trinity Acquisitions LLC Public Hearing #3 at 7:35 pm (via zoom) Trinity Presentation 03/20/23 / Submission for 03/20/23 PB Meeting / Trinity Presentation 03/06/23 / Application & Supporting Documents / Google Drive Link for Supplemental Information  Trinity Presentation 02/06/23

Submission for 03/06/23 PB Meeting / Trinity Presentation 03/06/23 / Application & Supporting Documents / Google Drive Link for Supplemental Information  Trinity Presentation 02/06/23

03/06/23 -  Approval Not Required (ANR) Plan – Matt Smith / Dover Mill LLC, 49 Elm Street to divide the house (Lot 1B) and barn/garage (Proposed Lot 1D) because each lot contains a building still standing that was standing at the time subdivision control law went into effect in the town (1953).  Application & Plan

03/06/23 - Medfield State Hospital Redevelopment Application Submitted by Trinity Acquisitions LLC Public Hearing #2 at 7:45 pm (via zoom) Submission for 3/6/23 PB Meeting / Trinity Presentation 03/06/23 / Application & Supporting Documents / Google Drive Link for Supplemental Information  Trinity Presentation 02/06/23

03/06/23 - Proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments Public Hearing #3: March 6, 2023 - 

02/06/23 -  Approval Not Required (ANR) Plan – Matt Smith / Dover Mill LLC, 49 Elm Street to remove a lot line created during an earlier (2021) ANR process so that there are two lots shown on the plan (the house and main barn as one lot and the lot to the rear of the house). Application & Plan

02/06/23 - Medfield State Hospital Redevelopment Application Submitted by Trinity Acquisitions LLC on January 12, 2023 for Public Hearing On February 6, 2023 at 7:45 pm (via zoom) Application & Supporting Documents / Google Drive Link for Supplemental Information  Trinity Presentation 02/06/23

02/06/23 - Proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments Public Hearing #2: February 6, 2023 

01/09/23 - Proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendments - Zoning Bylaw Reorganization 

Public Hearing #1: January 9, 2023 - Presentation - summary of zoning changes with examples

Please click HERE for the legal notice and HERE for the reorganized bylaw draft dated 11/21/22.  

The public hearing will occur on January 9, 2023 (7:35 pm) and the legal ads will appear in the Hometown Weekly on Dec 22 and 29, 2022.  

2x9 Town of Medfield - ATM-2023 12-22-22