Code of Massachusetts Regulations
963 CMR - MASS. SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY
Title 963 CMR 2.00 - School Building Grant Program
Section 2.05 - Site Standards

(1) The site of an Approved Project shall be owned by the city, town, regional school district, or independent agricultural and technical school, or be under control of the school district or Eligible Applicant pursuant to a lease which assures the school district or the Eligible Applicant exclusive jurisdiction and control of the land for the anticipated useful life of the Approved Project to be constructed thereon.

(2) The site selected shall be chosen on the basis that it will meet the educational need, maximize the use of any available community resources, and minimize any possible adverse educational, environmental, social, or economic impact upon the community. Such adverse impact shall include, but not necessarily be limited to: the need to provide new sewers, roads, transportation facilities, water supply, water connections, and other public infrastructure to the site; existence of soil conditions or hazardous materials that may cause site development costs to be greatly increased; or curtailment of the approved educational program.

(3) To the extent feasible, the site selected shall be proximate to other facilities such as libraries, museums, parks, natural resources, nature study areas, and businesses, which would enhance the proposed educational program.

(4) The site shall be free from noxious pollution or contamination, and should be selected to avoid flood plain, wetlands or other environmentally sensitive areas. A new school site shall not be located within 1000 feet of an active landfill.

(5) The site shall be located to serve efficiently and safely the school population it is intended to serve, and should be of sufficient size to accommodate the building and planned future additions thereto, outdoor educational program, parking areas, bus turnarounds, delivery areas, required setbacks and planned aesthetics.

(6) Exterior grades shall slope away from the building and the building foundation to adequately drain away rain water, snow melt, and HVAC condensate and to prevent ponding, pooling or otherwise saturating the building envelope or foundation. Rain leaders, or downspouts, shall be directed to infiltration structures, on-site storage, rain gardens, or daylight, provided that surface drainage moves water well away from the building and does not result in unintended ponding or pooling.