Regional Planning for Sustainable Growth
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This document summarizes a panel discussion on regional planning for development, preservation, and infrastructure in Massachusetts. The panelists discussed how the state works with regional planning agencies to identify priority areas for growth and preservation through processes like creating maps of concentrated development centers and protected lands. They described how these regional plans aim to balance jobs, housing, transportation, and the environment by directing new growth to suitable locations while protecting important resources. The panel also discussed customizing these regional planning processes to meet different regional needs.
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Regional Planning for Sustainable Growth
- 1. WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO US? Local, Regional & State Prioritization of Development, Preser vation and Infrastructure in Massachusetts
- 2. PARTNERS Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
- 3. Panelists • Victoria Maguire, State Permit Ombudsman/Director, Massachusetts Permit Regulatory Office, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development • E. Heidi Ricci, Shaping the Future of Your Community Program, Mass Audubon • Kurt Gaertner AICP, Director of Sustainable Development, MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs • Barry Keppard AICP, Public Health Manager, Metropolitan Area Planning Council • Mike Parquette, Comprehensive Planning Manager, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission • Trish Settles AICP, Principal Planner, Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission
- 4. Victoria Maguire State Permit Ombudsman/Director, Massachusetts Permit Regulatory Office, Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Planning Ahead for Growth
- 5. Planning Ahead for Growth Planning ahead for job and housing growth is critical to our prosperity and to our quality of life. As a state, prior to 2007, we largely failed to plan ahead. Since 2007, we have been deliberately and consistently planning ahead.
- 6. Economic Competitiveness in MA The Economic Development Plan Choosing to Compete in the 21st Century (mass.gov/compete) 5 Categories, with 55 Actions Building Talent Innovation Economy Empowering Regions Ease of Doing Business Improving Cost Competitiveness 6
- 7. The 4 Core Elements of Our Strategy 1 Identify 2 Create 3 Invest 4 Market Promising places for growth that have community support, are consistent with regional considerations and align with the Sustainable Development Principles Prompt and predictable zoning and permitting in those places (both local and state) In public infrastructure needed to support growth To businesses and developers interested in locating and growing in the Commonwealth
- 8. Planning Ahead for Growth in Action CORE ELEMENTS Invest PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES Priority Dev. Areas Priority Pres. Areas Gateway Cities Growth District Initiative Compact Neighborhoods Chapter 43D Chapter 43E Chapter 40R District Local Technical Assistance Compact Neighborhoods Best Practices Model for Streamlined Local Permitting MassWorks Infrastructure Program Promote Development – Ready Properties HDIP Online Resources Executive Order 525 Supporting Stakeholders District Improvement Financing Conferences and Events 8
- 9. What is a Regional Planning Effort?
- 10. Regional Planning Effort Timeline 2007 • South Coast Rail effort began (31 communities) 2009 • South Coast Rail Corridor Plan released 2010 • Executive Order 525 was signed by Governor Patrick 2012 • 495/Metrowest Plan Released (37 communities) 2012 • CMRPC Regional plan for Blackstone Valley (11 comm.) 2012 • CMRPC Regional plan for Central 13 (13 comm.) 2013 • Merrimack Valley Regional Plan released (15 comm.) 2013 • SCR 5 Year Update (underway) 2013 • CMRPC Rural 11 (underway)
- 11. Statewide Housing Production Goal 10,000 multi-family units per year 11
- 12. The benefits of housing for local communities • Keeps families and friends close by • Connects people to jobs • Revitalizes downtowns • Reuses historical buildings 12
- 13. Getting the balance right Jobs • Transportation • Environment • Housing Community • Health • Neighborhoods
- 14. Thank you Questions? Please visit the Massachusetts Permit Regulatory Office webpage @ mass.gov/mpro Victoria Maguire, State Permit Ombudsman/Director Massachusetts Permit Regulator y Of fice 617-788-3649 / victoria.maguire@state.ma.us Victor Negrete, Regional Planning Manager Massachusetts Permit Regulatory Office 617-788-3601 / victor.negrete@state.ma.us
- 15. E. Heidi Ricci Shaping the Future of Your Community Program, Mass Audubon Regional Planning for Development and Preservation
- 16. Rate of Development (1999 – 2005) Losing Ground: Beyond the Footprint Mass Audubon 2009
- 17. Bigger Houses on Bigger Lots = More Sprawl • 47,000 acres of natural land was developed between 1999-2005 • 87% of the land lost is due to residential development • Lot size increased 47% from 1970 – 2004
- 18. Ecological Value - 1971 Index of Ecological Integrity (IEI) Value High : 1 Low : 0.01
- 19. Ecological Value - 2005 Index of Ecological Integrity (IEI) Value High : 1 Low : 0.01
- 20. BioMap 2 Critical Environmental Resources
- 21. Priority Preservation Areas Conservation through Zoning Less roadway to maintain, reduce stormwater runoff Reduce clearing and grading Protect wetland buffers, floodplains, water supplies, forests, farmland Provide open space and trails www.mass.gov/envir/smart_growth_toolkit/ www.massaudubon.org/495Toolkit
- 22. Kurt Gaertner AICPSustainable Development, MA Executive Office of Energy and Director of Environmental Affairs Regional Land Use Priority Planning Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs
- 23. Sample PPA Approach: MVPC Region • Convened Interagency Lands Committee & Essex Greenbelt • Examined Merrimack Valley Priority Growth Strategy priorities • Used GIS to analyze natural resources relative to preservation & development priorities • Modified GIS data layers & weighting, mapped the top 20% of scores for the region, & analyzed • Created draft Focus Areas and Priority Preservation Areas • Met with sequentially with MVPC staff, municipal planners, & then local elected officials and the general public, refining/improving the Priority Areas after each meeting • Finalized Priority Preservation Areas; they comprise about 15% of the region
- 24. Example: GIS Analysis for the MVPC Region Data Layer NHESP BioMap2 Core Habitat NHESP BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape NHESP Priority Habitats of Rare Species Prime Agricultural Soils DEP Approved Zone 2s within 2640 ft of any PWS well Greenway Vision Areas merged with a 500-ft Buffers of long distance and 'Trail Vision' Trails Interim Wellhead Protection Areas: 2640 ft buffer of only PWS Zone Bs NOAA composite shoreline 400-ft buffer Outstanding Resource Waters Cert. Vernal Pools buffered 150 feet Aquifers - High and Medium Yield Prime Forest Land DEP Approved Zone 2s further than 2640 ft from any PWS well DEP Wetlands 150-ft Buffer erased with BioMap2 CNL wetlands Rivers Protection Act Buffers Areas of Critical Environmental Concern 1000 ft buffer of protected Open Space (buffer only) FEMA Q3 Flood (100-Year Floodplains) EPA Designated Sole Source Aquifers Weight 70 70 70 50 50 50 40 40 40 40 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 20 15 5
- 28. Variations & Improvements: Include historic resources & landscapes Address climate change adaptation – vulnerability & resilience Customize the approach to handle: Rural areas with substantial agricultural land use and agriculture as a major component of the local economy Urban areas lacking large amounts of undeveloped land
- 29. Regional Land Use Priority Plans: Implementation Invest consistent with the Plan: • LAND • PARC • Conservation Partnership • Gateway City Parks • Drinking Water Supply Protection • Clean & Drinking Water State Revolving Funds • Agency Land Acquisitions (DCR, DFG, DAR, & EEA) Regulate consistent with the Plan
- 30. Barry Keppard AICP Manager, Metropolitan Area Planning Council Public Health GIS and Regional Screening for Priority Development Areas
- 31. Regional Screening Regional Priority Areas Regional Screening Local Priority Areas
- 34. Regional Screening - GIS
- 35. Regional Screening - GIS Model Builder
- 36. Regional Screening - GIS THEMES Centers – Housing – Regional Plan Rail – Interchanges – Farms - Open Space Connectivity
- 38. Regional Priorities Screening What kinds of development should be considered? What are good metrics for assessing suitability? How should those metrics be weighted in a final score?
- 40. Weighted by Development Type PDA Development Types Criteria Commercial SingleMixed Use: : Retail, Commercial Commerci Multifamily Mixed Use: Family Master Entertainme : Office & al: Residential Infill Residenti Planned nt & Medical Industrial al Hospitality Travel Choices 30% 22% 17% 19% 14% 9% 19% Walkable Communitie s 30% 28% 8% 17% 17% 9% 23% Open Spaces 7% 16% 22% 19% 19% 23% 19% Healthy Watersheds 19% 6% 14% 12% 22% 23% 23% Current Assets 7% 16% 17% 19% 14% 14% 8% Growth Potential 7% 13% 22% 14% 14% 23% 8%
- 41. Mike Parquette Comprehensive Planning Manager, Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Merrimack Valley Priority Growth Strategy
- 43. Competing public policies “Need to encourage growth to finance municipal services” “Need to create job opportunities that pay well and reduce commuting demands” “Need to keep housing cost affordable for our children and future generations” “Need to manage development to avoid adversely affecting our quality of life”
- 44. Regional Plan to address these challenges “Where do communities want to encourage regionally significant growth that creates these jobs and affordable housing opportunities” “Which areas of the valley should be protected from future development due to environmental and other constraints to maintain the character of the valley” “How well does the region’s transportation network support these land use priorities”
- 45. Where do we want to encourage growth? Local decision Concentrated Development Centers (CDC) CDC: “An area of concentrated development, including a town center, consisting of existing and appropriately zoned commercial, industrial and mixed use areas suitable for high density development” Priority Development Site (PDS)
- 46. CDCs Map
- 47. CDC Evaluation “Strengths & constraints to development” and “Smart Growth principles” Land use Infrastructure Access Environmental
- 48. Land Use “Concentrate a mix of uses that foster a sense of place, increases job opportunities and sustainable businesses” Density & potential build-out Zoning / mix of uses Priority development
- 49. Infrastructure “Encourage reuse and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure” Water Sewer Broadband Utilities
- 50. Access “Provide transportation choices” Road Access to the site Congestion Transit Bike & pedestrian
- 51. Environmental “Restore and enhance the environment” Wetlands Flood plain Water supply protection Rare species
- 52. GREATER LAWRENCE SUB-REGION CONCENTRATED DEVELOPMENT CENTER EVALUATION HIGH L A N D U S E D e n s ity & B u ild o u t Z o n in g / M ix u s e P r io r ity D e v e lo p m e n t IN F R A S T R U C T U R E W a te r S ew er B ro a d b a n d U tilit ie s T R A N S P O R T A T IO N S ite A c c e s s ib ilit y C o n g e s tio n T r a n s it S e r v ic e B ik e /P e d e s tr ia n E N V IR O N M E N T A L W a te r S u p p ly P r o te c t F lo o d P la in W e tla n d s R a r e S p e c ie s LAWRENCE Rolling Green MEDIUM Raytheon LOW River Road Strengths & Weaknesses Lowell Junction ANDOVER METHUEN NORTH ANDOVER
- 53. CDC Classification Smart Growth Center Center of Commerce Business Center Village Center
- 54. Where should we protect land from future development? Local decision Protected lands & lands suitable for protection Protected lands: “Lands protected by agricultural preservation restrictions, protected federal, state & municipal lands, protected public and private outdoor recreation areas”
- 55. New priority areas for protection Open space plans Watersheds for public water Farmlands Identified potential regional collaboration and cooperation opportunities to protect open space throughout the valley
- 56. CDCs & PDS & OS Map
- 57. How do we connect these land use patterns? Existing transportation system Connections: “Inter-state highways, regional roads, transit, bike and pedestrian connections that support the promotion of CDCs and protected lands”
- 58. Growth Strategy Map w/Priority Transportation Projects
- 59. Trish Settles AICP Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission Principal Planner, Customizing Your Process
- 61. Fundamental Principles • New Commercial & Residential Growth must occur in a manner respectful of open space, water resources, & transportation networks. • New Growth will likely require transportation & infrastructure upgrades, beyond what is needed to maintain the existing systems. • Land use & transportation decisions must account for the Global Warming Solutions Act & the transportation reorganization statute. • Workforce housing must continue to be produced & preserved within the region at a scale that allows the number of workers living in the region to keep pace with the new jobs created. • Sustainable growth will involve the creation and maintenance of an effective transportation and public transit system coordinated with existing transit. • Coordinated planning & implementation ef for ts are necessar y where jurisdictions and boundaries intersect.
- 62. Rural- 11 Regional Study Study Process and Timeline Review of Previous Plans and Studies Jan - Mar Local Meetings Feb - July Community-Level Public Meetings First Regional Forum June 26 Assessment and Identification of Regional Priorities Late Summer Second Regional Meeting Tonight! Project Conclusion and Final Report December
- 65. JUNE 26 TH - REGIONAL FORUM
- 66. 1 st Regional Forum- June 2013 Presented your town’s map along with maps of neighboring municipalities Participants provided guidance on regional priorities and investments
- 67. Regionally Significant Priority Development Areas Priority Preservation Areas
- 69. Customizing your Process What partners make sense? Information Gathering Be Thoughtful and Flexible (lots of meetings) Consider what else will bring value to the towns an the region What will get potential participants excited about providing input We added an inventory of Working Landscapes followed by a special Working Landscape Roundtable Discussion. Already possibilities for Regional Collaboration. Added a Raffle
- 70. Customizing your Process What partners make sense? Information Gathering Be Thoughtful and Flexible (lots of meetings) Consider what else will bring value to the towns an the region What will get potential participants excited about providing input We added an inventory of Working Landscapes followed by a special Working Landscape Roundtable Discussion. Already possibilities for Regional Collaboration. Added a Raffle
- 71. Victoria Maguire EOHED 617-788-3649 victoria.maguire@state.ma.us www.mass.gov/mpro Barry Keppard AICP MAPC 617-788-3649 Bkeppard@mapc.org www.mapc.org Mike Parquette MVPC 617-788-3649 Mparquette@mvpc.org www.mvpc.org E. Heidi Ricci Mass Audubon 781-259-2172 hricci@massaudubon.org www.massaudubon.org/shapingthefuture Kurt Gaertner AICP EOEEA 617-626-1154 Kurt.Gaertner@state.ma.us www.mass.gov/eea Trish Settles AICP CMRPC 508-459-3320 tsettles@cmrpc.org www.cmrpc.org
Editor's Notes
- Introduce self
- The Patrick-Murray Administration has consistently and deliberately planned ahead since 2007. Through education, innovation and infrastructure investments throughout the state, the strategy is working. Massachusetts is well below the national unemployment average. With this in mind the Administration has continued to plan ahead to ensure this level of growth and competitiveness moving forward. Not for the next year or two, but for the next decade or two and beyond.
- In December 2011, the Administration announced its Economic Development Plan. Developed by a 34 member Economic Development Council, consisting of businesses, academics and state agencies, the plan identifies 55 actions, which fall within five broad categories, to strengthen MA’s competitiveness moving forward. One category, Empowering Regions, focuses on how to support for Massachusetts’ municipalities and regional economies is critical to driving the state’s continued economic success. Acknowledging and embracing Massachusetts’ strong municipal home rule structure, the Planning Ahead for Growth strategy is based on a bottom up approach of working with communities and regions to incorporate their land use goals into a dialogue with the state about how to implement the tools which will make Massachusetts an attractive and prosperous place to live and work.
- There are 4 core elements to the Planning Ahead for Growth Strategy: Identify Create Invest Market By establishing the four core elements of the Planning Ahead for Growth Strategy, municipalities, regions and state agencies have a clear and transparent framework within which new initiatives, projects and development can take place.
- Culmination of a yearlong planning effort based on a bottom up approach to identify promising areas for future growth in the region. What are Priority Development Areas: - Areas within a city or town that have been identified as capable of supporting additional development or as a candidate for redevelopment. - Generally characterized by good roadway and/or transit access, available infrastructure, and an absence of environmental constraints. - Represent general locations where appropriate growth may occur, and where public investments to support that growth will be directed What are Priority Preservation Areas: - Areas within a city or town that deserve special protection due to the presence of significant environmental factors and natural features, such as endangered species habitats or areas critical to drinking water supplies, etc. - In general, existing parks or new park facilities do not fall within this category. - Lands that are not currently permanently protected
- Priority Development and Preservation Areas are designated through regional planning efforts. Regional plans are developed in partnership with municipalities, regional planning agencies, state agencies and stakeholder groups such as chambers of commerce and environmental advocacy organizations. The Plans are developed to identify at a local, regional and state level places which are appropriate for growth and preservation. Through the regional planning process we have identified Priority Development and Preservation Areas in: - 31 communities in the South Coast - 37 communities in the 495/MetroWest region - 15 new communities in the Merrimack Valley, we have identify development and preservation areas that support a coordinated growth plan to get the balance between development and preservation right. Additional regional efforts include CMRPC’s planning in the Blackstone Valley (11), Central 13 (13) and Rural 11 (11) Total state endorsed = 82 Total Regional Plans = 117
- South Coast Rail Economic Development Corridor Plan began in 2007 was completed in June 2009. The release of the SCR plan resulted in the Governor signing Executive Order 525. The Executive Order calls for state investments to be consistent with the Plan’s recommendations to the maximum extent feasible. The Executive Order also directs state agencies to conduct a retrospective analysis to determine how consistent their actions and investments in the region have been with the Corridor Plan goals. 78.9% consistent with the Land Use and Economic Plan $939M was invested in the region $388M was spent in the region 16.3% targeted to PPAs 59.4% targeted to PDAs 495/MetroWest Development Compact Plan released in March 2012 was developed in partnership with, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs MassDOT Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission Metropolitan Area Planning Council MetroWest Regional Collaborative 495/MetroWest Partnership Mass Audubon Based on the success of these previous regional planning efforts, EOHED and EEA expanded regional planning efforts further north along the 495 corridor to the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission region. With the completion of the Merrimack Valley Regional Plan in 2013, 83 communities will have identified State Priority Development and Priority Preservation Areas.
- To measure our progress, we are excited to announce that the Administration has set a housing production goal for housing that is reasonably dense and reasonably located. Partnering with MAPC, we have set a goal that will set a goal that will meet demand for housing moving forward. Each year, we will measure the state’s progress of this goal and measure our partnership with communities that are planning ahead for housing.
- But, housing is not just good for the state, its good for communities too. The prevailing attitude regarding housing is that it hasn’t always been good for Massachusetts’ communities. But it’s worse than that, really, because that prevailing view is not even accurate. The truth is, new housing makes our communities better and stronger: It helps us to rehabilitate and re-use historic properties. It helps us revitalize our downtowns and village centers. It makes life easier for our local employers; they can have more confidence that they can recruit and retain a workforce that doesn’t have to drive an hour in traffic each morning to get to work, and can perhaps even walk or bike to work. It helps ensure that our communities will have a healthy balance of young and old residents, a mix that makes our communities interesting, sustainable and fun. It helps keep our family members and friends close by.
- And, it’s also about getting the balance right. We have been working with our partners at the state, primarily Energy and Environmental Affairs and MassDOT to ensure that we align our efforts to get the balance right. The Patrick Administration is committed to ensuring a prosperous and healthy Commonwealth today and for generations to come. Administration policies and goals for where we live and work, how we travel, how we build and re-use assets, and how we preserve the things that we treasure are all complementary strands of a common strategy for achieving that vision. Three of the Administration’s cabinet-level secretariats—Housing and Economic Development, Transportation, and Energy and Environmental Affairs—have joined together to highlight their common strategy and their strong commitment to the Commonwealth’s Sustainable Development Principles. All three Secretariats support “Planning Ahead for Growth,” a strategy that calls for state, regional and municipal partners to: 1) identify locations where growth and preservation should occur, 2) create prompt and predictable permitting that allows such projects to move forward, 3) invest public resources in those identified areas, and 4) market those assets to others. This strategy recognizes the unique characteristics of each region and that effective partnerships on a regional and local level are essential to our continued success in furthering economic development, making smart transportation investments and achieving environmental preservation. We are confident that through consistent execution of this approach, the Commonwealth will reap the economic benefits of growth while maintaining and even improving the quality of life we enjoy. Below are some of the ways our Secretariats are pursuing complementary initiatives:
- Introduce self
- Mass Audubon has produced reports on land use trends in Massachusetts approximately every 5 years for the last twenty years. The 4th of Losing Ground, published in 2009, confirmed the ongoing trend of sprawl radiating along the Route 495 belt and beyond, into central Massachusetts.
- Another way to look at environmental quality is through the impacts of development…Index of Ecological Integrity…not to get into complicated modeling, but development leads to fragmentation and disturbance of sensitive lands…disruption of ecosystem equilibrium…this graphic shows to what extent this has happened
- Collaboration between Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP) and The Nature Conservancy’s Massachusetts Program Developed to protect the state’s biodiversity in the context of projected effects of climate change Incorporates data about rare species and habitats Integrates information about large, well-connected, intact ecosystems and landscapes
- OSRD
- Introduce self
- Kurt
- Introduce self
- There are limited resources - financially, economically, environmentally To better guide investment of these resources, a Regional Screening was performed on the local PDAs and PPAs The screening was based on information and data that supported the six fundamental principles Local priorities will continue to be locations for growth and development and they are recorded on local maps created through this process
- Modeling work completed by CTPS
- Land Use and Housing Farms and Prime Agricultural Soils MassEcon Market Ready Sites EJ Criteria
- Land Use and Housing Farms and Prime Agricultural Soils MassEcon Market Ready Sites EJ Criteria
- Land Use and Housing Farms and Prime Agricultural Soils MassEcon Market Ready Sites EJ Criteria
- Modeling work completed by CTPS
- Introduce self
- The region is made up of a diverse set of communities ranging from small communities like West Newbury, with 4,300 residents and Groveland, with 6,600 residents, to Lawrence with over 70,000 residents and Haverhill with 60,000 residents. Half of the communities are former farmlands but now largely residential communities. The other half are more developed and include 5 cities. 17% of the population in the region is Hispanic and concentrated in 3 communities, Lawrence 60%, Methuen 10% and Haverhill with 9%.
- We need to encourage growth to finance municipal services but at the same time we are concerned with the impact growth will have on school finances, traffic and the potential to changes the character of our communities. We need to create good job opportunities for our children and reduce our commuting demands but will this spur on to much growth. We need to keep housing cost affordable for our future generation but will this new housing growth adversely affect our quality of life?
- We believe we need to develop a regional approach to growth that strikes a BALANCE between this need to grow and the need to preserve the character of our region. In the planning business the new buzz word is “Smart Growth”. We need to incorporate the principles of “Smart Growth” to address these regional challenges.
- Sustainable Development Principles: Redevelop First, Concentrate Development, Be Fair, Restore & Enhance the Environment, Conserve Natural Resources, Expand Housing Opportunities, Provide Transportation Choice, Increase Job Opportunities, Foster Sustainable Businesses and Plan Regionally.
- Internal Scoring Density: FAR 0-.5 0 points, .5-1.0 1 point, >1.0 2 points Zoning: Industrial 0 points, Industrial & retail 1 point, mixed use 2 points PDS: no 0 points, considering designation 1 point, designated 43D, 40R ect. 2 points Score 5-6 high, 3-4 medium, 0-2 low
- None 0 points, Some 1 point, All 2 points 2 High, 1 Medium, 0 Low
- Road Access: Interstate 2 points, State #hwy 1 point, local 0 points CMS: Not listed 2 points, UPWP/Under Study 1 point, Listed 0 points Transit: Served 2 points, TDM 1 point, Not served 0 points Bike/Ped: Served 2 points, planned 1 point, not served 0 points 6-8 High, 3-5 Medium, 0-2 Low
- Wetlands: < 25% of site 2 points, > 25% 1 point, limits access to site 0 points Flood Plan: < 25% of site 2 points, > 25% 1 point, limits access to site 0 points Water Supply Protection: Outside of resource area 2 points, Adjacent to resource area 1 point, Within resource area 0 points Rare Species: < 25% of site 2 points, > 25% 1 point, limits access to site 0 points 6-8 low impact on development, 3-5 Medium impact on development, 0-2 high impact on development
- Smart Growth Centers: Areas which allow high density concentrated development and a mix of uses, has suitable infrastructure to support development, has good access both car and pedestrian and is served by transit and has limited environmental constraints (Example urban downtowns and 40R districts) Center of Commerce: areas which allow a mix of high density concentrated development, excluding residential, served by water and sewer, may be served by transit or a TMA and has limited environmental constraints (Example suburban office or business center) Business Center: Areas of high density industrial or retail with limited infrastructure, mainly car oriented little pedestrian mobility or transit and limited environmental constraints (Example suburban industrial park or retail center) Village Center: areas of high density concentrated development in context, commonly known as a town center or a community’s downtown. Encourages a mix of uses, has access to infrastructure and is served by transit and is pedestrian friendly, has limited environmental constraints
- Introduce self
- The rural-11 project is very exciting for CMRPC in that it completes prioritization process for our entire region. We started in 2011 with the 495 region in partnership with MAPC the regional planning agency to our east. This was so well received that we moved to do the same project in the Blackstone Valley. Then there were requests from Town Administrators to launch the same process in the western, southern and northern suburbs of Worcester, what we now call the central 13 region. That left only 11 communities. In November 2012 we began discussions to bring this to Barre, Brookfield, East Brookfield, West Brookfield, North Brookfield, Warren, Hardwick, New Braintree, Oakham, Rutland, and Princeton.
- A chance to discuss fundamental principles that many of us take for granted. But while it makes sense to us as planners. We got stopped and questions about our motives. Lots of TEAPARTY. Anti Government.
- This is our project Timeline We began really last November when we met with a variety of community leaders to discuss actually doing the project. Would it be of benefit to the 11 towns? When we got the AOK. We allocated DLTA resources and launched the project in January. We first reviewed existing plans and then met with small groups of community leaders to develop a initial set of draft priorities. Then we mapped those and took those to public meetings for more feedback and input. In June we brought what we had learned to our first forum and asked for more feedback across town lines. During all of this we under took a somewhat exhaustive inventory of the regions working landscapes. You can see what we found on the maps on the walls. More on that in a minute. Over the summer we continued gathering information, began to screen for regional priorities and held a focused round table discussion about the agricultural economy and working landscapes in general. Here we are tonight to present and discuss the regional priorities and seek your comments. This will all be summarized and tied together in pretty package with a bow by the end of December
- Like the other projects Locally-identified priorities were mapped on the basemap: orange for development; green for preservation. In the rural11 a lot more green than orange and a lot more infrastructure.,
- Given the more rural aspect of this region, we see much more green than orange. In the shaded back area you can see the areas that were prioritized in the other regions. Many that are consistent with those id’d across town lines in this region. Such as treasure valley and the cisterian abbey.
- The first regional forum included: an open house component for folks to review the maps a presentation of relevant data to provide a shared context for the region Break-out table exercises to engage with each other to review the identified priorities Folks really engaged in the discussion and actively participated. We saw a real understanding of how priorities can be shared amongst communities, and we saw a recognition of the value of looking at things regionally. KEY IDEAS: connection between the farms, rivers and environmental resources and economic development; the need to look at preserving the working landscapes; redevelopment opportunities to maintain the context of old mills and village centers; importance of the water resources and possibilities to enhance and build on tourism including along the scenic byways, agritourism, We heard some great ideas and realized great insight.
- Participants in the regional forum were organized into break out tables and analyzed multi-municipal maps. They were asked to review the locally identified priority areas and think about applying regional concepts to see which might also be considered regionally significant. Great chance for conversations across town lines. Then REGIONAL SCREENING Barry described this earlier Examples of this type of criteria for screening the PDAs are: Is the area on or adjacent to already developed areas? Is infrastructure (transportation, water, sewer) available to serve the area? Does the development area serve multiple communities? Does it support the character of the community and region such as a mill or village Does the development potential include opportunity for workforce housing? Examples of this type of criteria for screening the PPAs are: Is the area in, or does it connect to, a wellhead or water supply protection area? Does the area contain prime farmland soils? Does the area connect to other permanently protected land?
- 30 Regional PDAs – reduced from 74 local PDAs (more than half were culled out in the screening process.) 101 Regional PPAs – reduced from 109 local PPAs (This goes to the high value of the areas that need to be preserved in the region.) We have posted these maps in the room as well as the lists of regional priority areas.
- Working landscapes was a process. MDAR OSRPs Chapter 61, APR Bus Certi Ag commissions Commonwealth corporations FARm Fresh Google Maps/Earth No judgements Roundtable