MAKING A DRI APPLICATION

This section outlines the steps that an applicant must follow in order to apply to the Martha's Vineyard Commission for approval of a DRI. It should be used in conjunction with the previous sections. This document gives details about the Step 2 of the five steps of the DRI process explained in that document.

STEP 2A—OBTAIN DOCUMENTS

Before preparing your application, you should obtain or consult the following documents. Please confirm with the DRI Coordinator that you have the latest version of each document.

• The DRI Process—Step by Step
• DRI - Application Form (DRIApplication 91K)
• DRI Application Guidance (DRIApplicationMaking 48K) —The downloadable pdf version has detailed instructions that should be followed in preparing an application.
• DRI Regulations (DRIRegulations 110K) —These regulations outline administrative aspects of the DRI process.
• Chapter 831 of the Acts of 1977 as ammended (Chapter831 213K) —This is the MVC's enabling legislation. Refer in particular to sections 14 and 15 that outline the criteria that the Commission uses in weighing the potential benefits and detriments of a proposal.
• TrafficImpactStudyRequirements [document not yet available online]
• Affordable Housing Policy (AffordHousingPolicy 737K)
• DRIFeeSchedule [document not yet available online]

STEP 2B—ATTEND A PRE-APPLICATION MEETING WITH STAFF

You should contact the Commission's DRI Coordinator to set up a pre-application meeting with MVC staff at which the staff will review the submission requirements and can answer the Applicant's technical and procedural questions. You should bring any plans, studies or information on the property and/or proposal to this meeting. Staff of the referring municipal agency (e.g. the administrator of a Planning Board) may be invited to attend to help clarify procedures.

STEP 2C—FILL OUT A DRI APPLICATION FORM AND PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION

You should start to fill out the application form and prepare the other materials that constitute a complete application. Detailed instructions are described in the downloadable pdf version of this section— DRI Application Guidance (DRIApplicationMaking 48K) .

STEP 2D—MEET THE LAND USE PLANNING COMMITTEE

Once your application is advanced, the DRI Coordinator will arrange a Pre-Hearing Meeting with the Land Use Planning Committee (LUPC), a sub-committee of the Commission, where you will be given an opportunity to explain your proposal, to discuss the project informally with Commissioners and staff, to get feedback as to some of the issues and concerns that should be addressed during the public hearing. At this meeting the LUPC will determine the scope of the required transportation study and will indicate what additional studies or information are needed to complete your application.

Notification for this meeting is posted in each of the town halls and sent to the permit granting boards in the town where the project is located. While this meeting is open to the public, public comment is not generally allowed. Occasionally, in the interest of clarification, a member of the public may be asked a question, or may be allowed to comment. No comments made by the public at this time are considered part of the public hearing record.

There may be several meetings between the LUPC and the applicant before the committee is assured that the proposal is clear and the application can be completed.

STEP 2E—COMPLETE AND SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Your complete application, including the fee and all attachments, should be filed with the Martha's Vineyard Commission at the Commission office during an Application Filing Appointment to be scheduled with the DRI coordinator. If you have any questions or require assistance in completing this application form, please contact the DRI Coordinator at 508-693-3453.

Applications submitted for filing can only be accepted at this filing appointment if they are complete. Complete applications are defined as those that satisfy the requirements outlined in this document and as specified at the Pre-Application Meeting of the Land Use Planning Committee. Providing a complete application, including the required information and fees, will allow the Commission to act in a timely manner.

The application will then be submitted to the MVC Executive Director who will certify its completeness and authorize the scheduling of a Public Hearing.

Often, a site visit is scheduled during the LUPC meeting to allow the Commissioners a chance to familiarize themselves with the property. The DRI Coordinator will fill out the Site Visit Checklist indicating how the site should be prepared before the visit. The Commissioner may use this time only to ask the Applicant questions of clarification specific to the site. The public is welcome to attend the site visit but is asked to refrain from comment.