Central Thirteen Prioritization Project
For more information contact Trish Settles, Regional Collaboration and Community Planning Manager at 508 459 3320 or tsettles@cmrpc.org.
The Central Massachusetts region has seen success in economic development and job creation over the last thirty years. Looking forward, the region’s public and private sector leaders recognize the need for shared approaches to infrastructure investments and land use decisions to ensure the vitality of the region’s economy and quality of life.
Building on the success of the recently-completed
495/MetroWest Development Compact Plan, CMRPC is embarking on a collaborative effort focused on 13 communities in the central part of the region. Our objective is to create a shared framework for identifying regional and local priorities for growth, development, higher education and land preservation, as well as transportation and other infrastructure investments. This planning effort will be conducted in a cooperative effort with local and regional participants, including
Mass Audubon, and will engage the public, private, and non-profit sectors to form the framework for public involvement in future land use decisions and infrastructure investment within these communities. By continuing to identify local priorities for development and preservation, we can articulate a set of larger regional priorities to build into the over-arching identity of the Central Massachusetts region.
CMRPC will work with the region’s stakeholders to define priority protection areas, priority development areas, and significant priority transportation improvements. Our goal is to list and map locally-identified and regionally-significant preservation and development areas and critical infrastructure needs, in a manner that is consistent with existing policies, master plans and guidelines, as well as the state’s Sustainable Development Principles.
The project is guided by six (6) fundamental principles:
►Continued new growth will likely require major transportation and other infrastructure upgrades, beyond what is needed to keep existing systems in good repair;
►New commercial and residential growth must occur in a manner that is respectful of open space resources, transportation networks, and water resources in the region;
►Land use and transportation decisions must take into account the principles established by the Global Warming Solutions Act, Green DOT, and the transportation reorganization statute;
►Work force housing must continue to be produced and preserved within the region;
►Sustainable new growth will involve the creation and maintenance of an effective public transit system; and
►Coordinated planning and implementation efforts between jurisdictions are necessary.
Click here for the Project Flyer.
September 11 2012 Regional Forum Powerpoint Presentation (includes the Regional Data presented)
November 28 2012 Regional Meeting Powerpoint Presentation and Panelist Biographical Sketches
Priority Area Summary Tables
Environmental Resources Map
Land Use (2005) Map
Agricultural and Historic Resources Map
Water Resources Map
Transit Map
Impervious Surfaces Map
Regional Priority Map
Regional Priority List (by town)
Local Priority Map - Multi Town Map - Paxton Spencer Leicester
Local Priority Map - Multi Town Map - Auburn Oxford Dudley
Local Priority Map - Multi Town Map - Charlton Southbridge Sturbridge
Local Priority Map - Multi Town Map - Boylston West Boylston Holden
Updated Local Priority Map
2012 Central Thirteen Prioritization Project, CMRPC
For more information contact Trish Settles, Regional Collaboration and Community Planning Manager at 508 459 3320 or tsettles@cmrpc.org.
