Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 43D, § 2

As used in this chapter, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:--

“Governing body”, in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter the city manager and the city council and in any other city the mayor and city council, and in towns the board of selectmen.

“Issuing authority”, a local board, commission, department or other municipal entity that is responsible for issuing permits, granting approvals or otherwise involved in land use development including redevelopment of existing buildings and structures.

“Permit”, a permit formal determination, order of conditions, license, certificate, authorization, registration, plan approval, zoning relief or other approval or determination with respect to the use or development of land, buildings, or structures required by any issuing authority including but not limited to those under statutory authorities contained in chapter 40A, sections 81A to 81J, inclusive, and sections 81X to 81GG, inclusive, of chapter 41, sections 40 and 40A of chapter 131, sections 26 to 32, inclusive, of chapter 111, chapter 40C, sections 13 and 14 of chapter 148, chapter 772 of the acts of 1975, or otherwise under state law or local by-law or ordinance, and all associated regulations, by-laws and rules, but not including building permits or approvals pursuant to sections 81O to 81W, inclusive, of chapter 41. “Permit” shall not include the decision of an agency to dispose of property under its management or control; predevelopment reviews conducted by the municipal office of permit coordination or a technical review team; or permits granted by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

“Permit regulatory office”, the permit regulator office in the executive office of economic development established in section 3H of chapter 23A.

“Priority development site”, a privately or publicly owned property that is: (i) eligible under applicable zoning provisions, including special permits or other discretionary permits, for the development or redevelopment of a building of not less than 50,000 square feet of gross floor area in new or existing buildings or structures; and (ii) designated as a priority development site by the permit regulatory office; provided, however, that several parcels or projects may be included within a single priority development site.

“Secretary”, the secretary of the executive office of economic development.

“Technical review team”, an informal working group consisting of representatives of the various issuing authorities designed by the head of their issuing authority to review requests submitted under this chapter. The technical review team shall not include members of the zoning board of appeals.