Local and Regional Planning
On a community planning level, CMRPC provides direct technical assistance to each of our 40 member communities, in addition to a variety of regional and region-wide initiatives. We work with communities to generate Geographic Information Systems (GIS) maps and data, develop Open Space Plans, develop Master Plan elements, and complete an array of other projects. In addition, we are increasingly pursuing funding opportunities to provide assistance for sub-regional cooperation and service delivery.
Examples of local and regional planning work are listed below. However, CMRPC is available to work with a town pursuing nearly any planning program. We will work with you to articulate a vision, identify key goals, and develop specific steps to take in order to realize those goals.
| Neighborhood Visioning, Plan Development and Implementation |
Worked with neighborhood and municipal stakeholders to establish shared vision for landmark property in community center. Developed master plan, including identification of strategies to achieve goals. Worked with town and outside development corporations to begin to implement plan. In another town, developed a neighborhood commercial revitalization plan with recommendations ranging from transportation (pavement markings and roadway configurations, for example) to land use recommendations (bylaw changes, mixed use proposals, etc) |
| Local Bylaw Development | Worked with various communities to engage residents in development of local bylaws, addressing previously-identified priorities. In some cases, the bylaw would be brought to multiple communities for consideration, and was developed by representatives of those multiple communities working collaboratively |
| Planning for Development of Regional Impact | Assist community in development of planning framework for large scale development potential. Development is often a two-sided experience - the positive impacts resulting from prior planning, and the negative impacts experienced when we have not planned adequately. Our report, “Gambling on Development” shows how to tip the odds in your local community's favor; Learn how to Take Stock, Develop a Process, Make Revisions and Execute the Plan. |
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Housing plans; |
Work with a collaboration of Town Administrators, housing stakeholders and housing advocates in several participating communities to consider strategies to improve each town’s activities with regard to housing planning and development. Without a professional planner or housing specialist, many Central Massachusetts towns are challenged to create housing plans, oversee and promote housing development, and work toward the state’s mandated 10% affordable housing goal. This exciting project may lead to the development of a model that can be replicated in other small Massachusetts towns. In fact, the Lt. Governor’s Regionalization Report specifically identified this topic as warranting investigation on how best to collaborate and combine efforts and energy. |
| Planning for water resources across municipal boundaries |
Working with representatives from seven contiguous towns, we have assisted the newly formed regional collaborative in compiling available water resource information, identifying future data analysis needs, and highlighting opportunities for future cooperation that will lead to improved water resource management, mitigation, protection and distribution. |
The final reports for many of these projects can be found under the Community Development Resources and Documents page.