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In response to the COVID 19-related State of Emergency, the Department of Planning and Community Development has transitioned to remote operations. We will be checking our voice mail and e-mail messages regularly, and will respond as soon as practicable. Please do not send correspondence to this office by facsimile or mail; it is not likely to be received timely. Due to the volume of calls and e-mail we expect to receive, we ask that you bear with us as we work through this unprecedented event. Thank you for your cooperation.
The following services directory connects you directly with a staff member. A list of online resources is provided below.
The Town of Brookline is providing frequent updates at Brookline Covid-19 News. Stay connected and sign up for AlertBrookline for text or phone messages from the Town of Brookline during an emergency.
RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY COVID-19
The Town recognizes the unprecedented hardship and uncertainty Brookline’s business community is currently facing. Read more
RESOURCES FOR RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS IMPACTED BY COVID-19. Click here
Zoning Board of Appeals Statement:
"Recent action at the state level has authorized the use of virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom, Webex, or Microsoft Teams for the purpose of holding public meetings and public hearings. However, the Town of Brookline Zoning Board of Appeals has taken the position that conducting public hearings through virtual means may in many cases inhibit the right of parties in interest to provide full and complete timely input necessary for or materially convenient to the consideration, deliberation and determination by the Board and even eliminates the ability of some parties in interest from participating entirely. Therefore, to the extent within the legal authority of the Board, during the pendency of the current health emergency, the Zoning Board of Appeals will endeavor not to hold any virtual public hearings on matters involving or requiring substantial testimony or submittals. This includes any applications or petitions requiring a public hearing under M.G.L. Chapters 40A and 40B. Applications of an administrative nature or which otherwise do not or will not involve or require substantial testimony or submittals (e.g., adoption of minutes or internal procedural rules) may be scheduled by the Board at the Board’s determination."
Planning Board Statement:
"After some consideration, the Brookline Planning Board has reluctantly concluded that it will not hold any virtual public meetings involving applications for Special Permits and Variances during the current COVID state of emergency. This is largely due to the Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision that it will not conduct any virtual public hearings. Consistent with the foregoing position of the Board of Appeals, the Planning Board has concluded that adequate public input cannot be guaranteed using a virtual public meeting format. The Planning Board, however, will hold virtual meetings for design review, and for signage and façade cases that do not need to go to the Zoning Board of Appeals for final approval." - April 28, 2020
Preservation Commission Statement:
"The Preservation Commission is proceeding to accept and process local historic district and demolition review applications consistent with its standard procedures to the extent possible, subject to technical capacity to conduct virtual public hearings. New applicants should expect that it might take longer than normal to be scheduled for a public hearing." - April 16, 2020
For questions about....
PERMITTING, ZONING, PRESERVATION
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SMALL BUSINESS
RENEWABLE ENERGY AND BIKE SHARE
AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CDBG PROGRAMS
LINKS TO RESOURCES