MVC aims to expedite permitting

Posted March 8, 2007

The Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) recently accepted a $90,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development to help Island towns streamline permitting procedures.

At a recent MVC meeting, executive director Mark London said that in order to promote economic development in Massachusetts and make the state more competitive with other regions and other states, the state legislature identified factors that contribute to the length of time it takes to process applications for permits for developments.

Sometimes it takes up to three years in Massachusetts for development permits to be approved, while in other states and regions, it can be as little as six months, Mr. London said.

As a result, the legislature passed the expedited permitting law. Mr. London said one of the law's features provides funding assistance to regulatory planning agencies like the MVC to provide assistance to towns in helping improve permitting processes.

"The intent is not to relax standards," Mr. London said, "but simply to make sure the process is as clear and straight-forward as it can be."