In a recent meeting of the Plymouth Planning Board, members delved into significant changes brought about by House Bill 413, which alters the timelines for active and substantial development in the area. Under the current state law, developers have two years to begin such development after receiving site plan approval, which then grants them a five-year protection against zoning changes. The new legislation extends this timeline to three years for initiation and seven years of protection, a shift that could provide much-needed relief to developers facing supply chain issues and rising costs.

The board discussed the implications of this change, noting that it applies retroactively to any project approved after July 1, 2023. This means that developers who have been granted approvals within the previous two-year window may now have an additional year to commence their projects, potentially extending their development timelines significantly. For instance, a hotel project that has begun preliminary site work could now have up to ten years to complete construction without being affected by new zoning regulations.

However, the board also highlighted that while the new law offers flexibility in development timelines, it does not address the conditions that developers must meet before beginning construction. Currently, developers have one year to meet these conditions, which remains unchanged. The board expressed concern that this could lead to discrepancies in project timelines, as the conditions may still take considerable time to fulfill.

In addition to the changes in development timelines, the meeting touched on other legislative updates, including SB 188, which allows third-party certifications for building compliance, and SB 282, which permits certain residential buildings to have only one stairway under specific conditions. Another notable change is HB 92, which requires members of both the planning board and zoning board to recuse themselves from decisions where they have previously deliberated, ensuring a clear separation of duties.

As the board navigates these legislative updates, members acknowledged the potential impact on local development and the importance of adapting site plan regulations to align with the new state laws. The discussions underscored a commitment to fostering a balanced approach to development that considers both the needs of the community and the challenges faced by developers in an evolving economic landscape.