A. Preapplication Conference. All applicants are encouraged to meet with the town prior to submitting an application subject to this section. The purpose of this meeting shall be to discuss the town's environmentally sensitive area requirements, processes and procedures; to review any conceptual site plans prepared by the applicant; to identify potential impacts to environmentally sensitive areas and appropriate mitigation measures; and to generally inform the applicant of any federal or state regulations applicable to the subject environmentally sensitive area. Such conference shall be for the convenience of the applicant and any recommendations shall not be binding on the applicant or the town.

B. Application Requirements.

1. Exemptions. The town requires that all landowners requesting a permit for development, who will be working within an environmentally sensitive area, even if the work may be determined to be exempt, fill out an environmentally sensitive area worksheet and register for an environmentally sensitive area exemption permit. There is no fee for an environmentally sensitive area exemption permit.

2. Environmentally Sensitive Areas Report Contents. Reports and studies required to be submitted by this chapter shall contain the information indicated in this chapter applicable to each environmentally sensitive area.

C. Consultant Qualifications and Town Review. All reports and studies required of the applicant by this chapter shall be prepared by a qualified consultant as that term is defined in these regulations. The town may, at its discretion, retain a qualified consultant to review and confirm the applicant's reports, studies and plans. Consultant costs for this review shall be the responsibility of the applicant. Advance deposits shall be collected to cover estimated costs.

D. Permit Process. This chapter does not create a requirement to obtain a separate environmentally sensitive areas permit for development proposals. The town shall consolidate and integrate the review and processing of environmentally sensitive areas aspects of proposals with other land use and environmental considerations and approvals. (Ord. 00-387 §1(part), 2000)