Transcript Planning for a Vibrant Community Introduction • Planning is a process that involves: – Assessing current conditions; envisioning a desired future; charting a course.

Planning for a
Vibrant Community
Introduction
• Planning is a process that involves:
– Assessing current conditions; envisioning a desired
future; charting a course towards that future
• Municipalities not required to adopt a plan; a plan is
required prior to adopting any land use regulations
• Plan itself is final product, there is as much or more
value in process of engaging stakeholders
Overview
1. This section reviews legal and practical
elements of local land use planning
–
–
–
–
–
–
Steps in the process
Nature of the process
Public participation
State planning goals
Required elements of the plan
Regional planning process
Steps in the Process
1.
Design the planning program
–
–
–
2.
Design outreach strategy
Select consultant
Identify sources of technical assistance
Collect and analyze background information
–
Might include surveys or other information reflecting a
community’s aspirations, problems, and opportunities
Steps in the Process
3.
Establish goals and objectives
–
4.
5.
Outline recommended actions to achieve those
goals and objectives
Create an implementation program
–
6.
7.
8.
Housing, transportation, infrastructure
Both regulatory and non-regulatory options
Adopt the plan
Implement the plan
Evaluate the plan and planning program
Nature of the Process
•
•
•
•
By design, planning requires a lot of participation
by diverse stakeholders
Land use issues evoke strong emotional responses
about government, private property, and the
public interest
Planning can challenge patience of those involved,
but offers unique opportunity
Golden rule of planning: include public and
interested parties at every possible step
Public Participation
•
•
•
•
Planning commission is not only entity that
plans; others must be involved in process
Include general public, legislative body,
citizen groups, local chamber, etc.
Public participation has long been a
hallmark of effective planning
Can be difficult to do well
Public Participation Strategies
•
Community Visioning Sessions
–
–
•
Community Planning Survey
–
–
–
•
Brings large numbers of community members together
Most effective for determining values and broad goals
Offers higher degree of control over subject matter
Attracts different participants than visioning session
Weakness is inability to hear from others
Technology
–
Virtual bulletin board or email listserv
State Planning Goals
Process Goals
–
–
–
–
Establish a coordinated, comprehensive planning
process…to guide decisions by municipalities, regional
planning commissions and state agencies
Encourage citizen participation at all levels
Consider the use of resources and consequences of
growth
Encourage municipalities to work together to develop
and implement plans
State Planning Content Goals
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Maintain historic settlement pattern of compact
village and urban centers
Provide strong and diverse economy
Broaden access to educational and vocational
training
Provide safe, convenient, economic, and energy
efficient transportation system
Identify and preserve important natural and
historic features
State Planning Content Goals
6. Maintain and improve quality of air, water,
wildlife, and land resources
7. Encourage efficient energy use and develop
renewable energy resources
8. Maintain and enhance recreational
opportunities
9. Encourage and strengthen agricultural and
forest industries
State Planning Content Goals
10. Provide wise and efficient use of natural
resources
11. Ensure availability of safe and affordable
housing
12. Provide an efficient system of public
facilities
13. Ensure availability of safe and affordable
child care
State Goals Summary
•
Process goals provide a vision of a process
–
–
–
–
•
coordinated across levels of government
involves citizens
considers the consequence of growth
encourages municipalities to work together
Content Goals
–
–
–
help ensure that plans are coordinated.
reflect the Legislature's vision for how lands will be
developed.
compliance with goals is required for approval by RPC
Required Elements
1. Statement of objectives, policies, &
programs
2. Land use plan (map and statement)
3. Transportation plan (map and statement)
4. Utility and facility plan (map and statement)
5. Statement on preservation of rare and
irreplaceable areas and historic resources
Required Elements
6. Educational facilities plan (map and
statement)
7. Recommended implementation program
8. Statement of how plan relates to plans of
neighboring communities and region
9. Energy plan
10. Housing element
Addressing Local Concerns
•
State law provides a structure and certain
elements that must be considered
•
Municipalities have significant flexibility to
determine scope and content of plan
Significant Diversity in Local Plans
•
•
•
Randolph’s 2004 plan recommends new
zoning districts to protect village and
agriculture
Essex’s 2006 plan recommends improving
water quality in two impaired watersheds
Mendon’s 2005 plan recommends
encouraging growth of home businesses
Regional Planning Process
•
•
•
•
•
•
Plans must also be updated every five years
Address same process and content goals
Similar required elements.
Plans approved by board of commissioners
One of RPC’s functions is to harmonize local
plans with regional plans
Approved plans allow municipalities to attain
village or downtown designation and requires state
agencies to consider local plan in their planning
Planning for a Vibrant
Community Summary
•
•
•
•
An engaging planning process is critical to
creating a vibrant community
Public participation is a fundamental
component of that process
State law provides both goals and required
elements to guide the process
Each plan should reflect local goals,
objectives,and implementation strategies