MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE UPDATE

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MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE UPDATE
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MASTER PLAN COMMITTEE MEMBERS

• JIM LANE CHAIR PLANNING BOARD
• PHILIP ELIOPOULOS VICE CHAIR
  SELECTMAN
• GEORGE ZAHAROOLIS CLERK PLANNING BOARD
• DAVID McLACHLAN
  CONSERVATION
• LINDA PRESCOTT COMMUNITY PRESERVATION
• JACKIE HOONJAN BUSINESS
• SHEILA PICHETTE TOWN MEETING REP
• PETER ROBSON
  CITIZEN REP
• JUDITH TAVANO
  BOARD OF APPEALS
• EVAN BELANSKY
  ADVISOR
• VIVIAN MERRILL MINUTES

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CHELMSFORDS MASTER PLANNING HISTORY

• Chelmsford has a 40 year history of master
  planning. Master plans have been completed in
  1963, 1975, 1986 and 1996.
• The Planning Board is charged with drafting a
  Master Plan for the Town of Chelmsford.

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A MASTER PLAN WILL HELP THE COMMUNITY

• Manage growth and change
• Provide for orderly and predictable
  development
• Protect environmental resources
• Strengthen local identity
• Create a framework for future policy decisions
• Provide guidance to residents, local boards,
  permitting authorities, and the business community

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STATE REQUIREMENTS

• Under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41,
  Section 81D, the Planning Board is required to
  prepare the Master Plan.
• The Chelmsford Master Plan Update will contain
  the following elements
• Vision Statement, Goals and Objectives
• Land Use
• Housing
• Economic Development
• Natural and Cultural Resources
• Open Space and Recreation
• Transportation
• Implementation

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WHATS IN A MASTER PLAN?

• Data Analysis
• Existing Conditions
• Trends, Estimates and Future Projections
• Goals, Policies and Actions
• Maps
• Implementation Strategy

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HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?

• Visioning Session
• Business Forum
• Economic Development, Land Use
• and Housing
• Stakeholder interviews
• Survey
• Public Forums remaining
• Infrastructure (sewer, water, transportation)
• Natural/Cultural Resources/Open Space/Recreation
• Community Meeting on the Draft Master Plan
  Document

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WHERE ARE WE GOING AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO AFFECT
CHANGE?

• Examine trends, estimates and projections
• Opportunities and challenges
• Analysis of options
• Develop consensus regarding strategy
• Outline Recommendations
• Create Implementation Plan
• Adopt Master Plan with consistency among elements

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ADOPTION OF MASTER PLAN

• Although not required, communities may choose to
  have the Master Plan formally adopted by Town
  Meeting
• Master Plan must be adopted by majority vote of
  the Planning Board
• Master Plan Committee has also recommended that
  the Plan be adopted by the Board of Selectmen

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WHERE ARE WE TODAY?

• Review and synthesis of past plans, studies and
  reports
• Data collection and analysis
• Demographic data
• Economic data
• Assessor information
• Traffic counts and crash data
• Town data and resources
• Local organizations e.g. Housing Authority, COA
  

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WHAT SHOULD CHANGE

• Form on-going implementation committee
• Maintains integrity of master plan
• Provides input to future Boards and Committees to
  ensure spirit of the document is upheld
• Keeps our town in line with the desires of the
  community in years to come until the town works
  on a new Master Plan.

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DRAFT VISION STATEMENT

• The Town is viewed as a safe and pleasant place
  to live. The educational system in town is known
  for its high quality. There are diverse and
  affordable housing opportunities for people of
  all income levels, lifestyles and age groups.
  Our revitalized Center Village contains a mix of
  business and residential uses and is an important
  cultural and economic asset to the community.
  The re-use of mill structures in Vinal Square is
  testimony to the Towns preservation and
  celebration of its historic resources. Town
  government is responsive to the needs of the
  community and the level of civic engagement is
  high. There is strong and open communication
  between town officials, citizens and the business
  community.
• The Towns infrastructure is adequate to meet the
  towns future needs. We enjoy the town-wide
  system of parks, open spaces and recreation areas
  that enhance our quality of life. The
  transportation system is safe and efficient,
  incorporating the needs of all residents through
  roadway improvements, enhanced transit service
  and facilities designed to accommodate the needs
  of pedestrians and bicyclists. Sewer and water
  service is available throughout town and the
  capacity of the system is sufficient to handle
  current and future demand.

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DRAFT VISION STATEMENT (cont.)

• The Town welcomes responsible development that
  promotes sustainable development practices,
  broadens the communitys tax base, provides
  employment opportunities for its residents and
  protects natural and historic resources. We
  encourage and support businesses through open
  communication with town government and a
  streamlined permitting process. The business
  community continues to show its commitment to the
  Town through its participation in and support of
  community activities and organizations.

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PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER FOR SUCCESS
SET THE VISION Vision Quest 2020-March 24th
PARTNERSHIP-PROCESS Town of Chelmsford
Northern Middlesex Council Of Governments
PUBLIC INPUT SESSION Economic Development, Land
Use, Zoning Housing-June 3rd
Business Vision Session Business Vision Quest
2020 May 6th
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PARTNERSHIP-PROCESS

• Entered into an agreement with Northern Middlesex
  Council of Governments(NMCOG)
• 12-16 month process
• Committee Meetings (usually the 2nd and 4th
  Thursdays of the month, at 630pm)
• Future Public Input Sessions
• - September 17th Senior Center
  7-9pm(Infrastructure, Transportation,
• Service Facilities)
• - October 7th Senior Center 7-9pm(Historical,
  Cultural, Natural
• Resources, Open Space Recreation)
• - January 2010 Final Input Session-Draft
  Document

PARTNERSHIP-PROCESS
Partnership-Process
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FUNDING SOURCES

• In Spring of 2008 Town Meeting approved 70,000
  for the purpose of developing a new Master Plan
• Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG)
  provided 10,000 from DLTA II funds
• Community Preservation Committee approved 10,000
  for Housing section and 10,000 for Open Space
  and Recreation
• Planning Board approved 10,000 from the traffic
  mitigation funds (53G) for the transportation
  section
• NMCOGs fee for consulting 70,000
• The remaining 40,000 will be used for
  implementation

Partnership-Process
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PUBLIC OUTREACH INPUT

• All Committee meetings are open to the public
• Master Plan Process Blog - http//chelmsfordmaster
  planprocess.blogspot.com
• Towns website
• http//www.townofchelmsford.us/
• Master Plan Committee website
• Online Documents
• Input Recommendation Form

Partnership-Process
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PUBLIC INPUT SESSIONS

• Public Input Session held on March 24th
• Business Input Session held on May 6th
• SWOT Analysis was performed
• Land Use, Zoning, Housing Economic development
  session held on June 3rd
• Results
• http//www.townofchelmsford.us/
• Chelmsford 2020 A Vision Statement(Draft)
• Initial Goals Statements(Draft)
• Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and
  Threats(SWOT)
• Participant List

Set The Vision
Business Vision Session
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PARTNERSHIP-PROCESS Town of Chelmsford
Northern Middlesex Council Of Governments
SET THE VISION Vision Quest 2020-March 24th
PUBLIC INPUT SESSION Economic Development, Land
Use, Zoning Housing-June 3rd
Business Vision Session Business Vision Quest
2020 May 6th
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INPUT SESSION WITH BOARD OF SELECTMEN AND
TOWN MANAGER

• We are meeting on July 23, 2009 at 645 to
  receive your input. Below are some questions to
  help get you thinking about your input.
• How or what type of vision do you see as a Board
  member as to
• the following
•   a.    economic development
• b.    housing
• c.    open space recreation
• d.    natural resources
• e.    historic resources
• f.    transportation
• g.    infrastructure
• h.    land use zoning
•  

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INPUT SESSION WITH BOARD OF SELECTMEN AND
TOWN MANAGER (Cont)

• 2.    Based upon these visions, what types of
  issues  / challenges have you
  identified?
•  
• 3.    What type of recommendations / solutions
  can you identify or can be offered for
  consideration?
•  
• 4.    Based upon the above questions and answers,
  what type of future development
  is preferred for our town?
• "where should this future development be
  located?

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Questions?