Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
WELCOME BACK!!
During the summer months, since the last post on May 20, 2009, the Master Plan Committee has been busy meeting twice a month. Over the last three months, the Committee has focused its efforts on receiving input from the various town boards, commissions, committees and Department heads.
With September here and people back to a regular schedule, the Committee will return to hosting several more Vision Quest public input sessions.
The next public input session is scheduled for Thursday September 17, 2009 from 7-9 pm at the Senior Center. This session will focus on Infrastructure, Transportation, Services & Facilities.
Moving forward, on Wednesday October 7, 2009 from 7-9 pm at the Senior center, a Public Input session will be held on Historical, Cultural, and Natural resources.
Please remember that your support and participation in this process is critical and the Committee continues to seek your input via the following options:
- Committee meetings are open to the public on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the Town Offices. Each meeting begins with open session
- Master Plan blog- http://chelmsfordmasterplanprocess.blogspot.com/
- Input and Recommendation form found on the Town’s website – http://www.townofchelmsford.us/Master_Plan_Committee.cfm
With September here and people back to a regular schedule, the Committee will return to hosting several more Vision Quest public input sessions.
The next public input session is scheduled for Thursday September 17, 2009 from 7-9 pm at the Senior Center. This session will focus on Infrastructure, Transportation, Services & Facilities.
Moving forward, on Wednesday October 7, 2009 from 7-9 pm at the Senior center, a Public Input session will be held on Historical, Cultural, and Natural resources.
Please remember that your support and participation in this process is critical and the Committee continues to seek your input via the following options:
- Committee meetings are open to the public on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at the Town Offices. Each meeting begins with open session
- Master Plan blog- http://chelmsfordmasterplanprocess.blogspot.com/
- Input and Recommendation form found on the Town’s website – http://www.townofchelmsford.us/Master_Plan_Committee.cfm
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
COMMUNITY VISIONING FORUM - SWOT RESULTS
The Chelmsford Vision Quest 2020 session held on March 24, 2009 at the Chelmsford Senior Center provided an opportunity for the public to learn more about the activities of the Chelmsford Master Plan Committee, and to provide input into “grass-roots” planning process for the Updated Chelmsford Master Plan. The Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) was pleased to lead the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Analysis portion of the program. The SWOT Analysis provided a forum for the approximately seventy (70) attendees to voice their opinions on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats associated with the Town of Chelmsford, as well as to have this information shared with the general public through the local cable channel.
The opinions expressed by the participants at the Visioning Session have been summarized in the attached S.W.O.T. Session Notes. This document summarizes the ideas submitted by the participants and assigns point totals to each idea based upon the number and color of the dots attached to each idea. As outlined during the session, participants were asked to prioritize the ideas as follows: red (first), green (second), blue (third) and yellow (fourth) and points were assigned to each color – red (4), green (3), blue (2) and yellow (1). Based upon the point totals for each category, the top ten priorities, as outlined by those participating in this session, were as follows:
Strengths: High educational level of residents
Chelmsford Conservation Commission partnering with local groups
Education system
Open space and cultural resources
Excellent library program
Value town tradition and events
Neighborhood focus
Rail line (accommodate transportation infrastructure)
Respect for town history
Historic charm (due to presence of older homes)
Weaknesses: Divided state representation
Need more support for bicycles on roads
Three water districts affect aquifer and water resource protection
Lack of bike routes
Inadequate Chapter 70 funding for schools
No long term strategic vision for town-owned properties
Disconnect between North and South Chelmsford
State Representation redistricting
Traffic congestion at Drum Hill and in the town center
Funding cuts in music and arts programs in the schools
Opportunities: Train station in North Chelmsford
Embrace alternative energy – solar is cost-effective
Redistricting opportunities through 2010 Census
Redevelopment opportunities- UMass West campus, etc.
UMass Lowell nanotech – potential to partner with UML
Intermodal transportation through the LRTA
Mixed-use development
Open space and green space with trail connections
Great community, but not promoted
Establish regional haz-mat facility to pay for fire station
Threats: Inadequate economic development planning
Chapter 40B – uncontrolled growth
Neighborhoods threatened (40B, commercial and zoning changes)
Asphalt plant – truck traffic
Tax by fee
Overdevelopment a threat to open space
Lack of funding for transportation improvements
Eliminating commuter rail
Tolls on Rte 3
Losing talented people to other communities (40B excludes many)
The opinions expressed by the participants at the Visioning Session have been summarized in the attached S.W.O.T. Session Notes. This document summarizes the ideas submitted by the participants and assigns point totals to each idea based upon the number and color of the dots attached to each idea. As outlined during the session, participants were asked to prioritize the ideas as follows: red (first), green (second), blue (third) and yellow (fourth) and points were assigned to each color – red (4), green (3), blue (2) and yellow (1). Based upon the point totals for each category, the top ten priorities, as outlined by those participating in this session, were as follows:
Strengths: High educational level of residents
Chelmsford Conservation Commission partnering with local groups
Education system
Open space and cultural resources
Excellent library program
Value town tradition and events
Neighborhood focus
Rail line (accommodate transportation infrastructure)
Respect for town history
Historic charm (due to presence of older homes)
Weaknesses: Divided state representation
Need more support for bicycles on roads
Three water districts affect aquifer and water resource protection
Lack of bike routes
Inadequate Chapter 70 funding for schools
No long term strategic vision for town-owned properties
Disconnect between North and South Chelmsford
State Representation redistricting
Traffic congestion at Drum Hill and in the town center
Funding cuts in music and arts programs in the schools
Opportunities: Train station in North Chelmsford
Embrace alternative energy – solar is cost-effective
Redistricting opportunities through 2010 Census
Redevelopment opportunities- UMass West campus, etc.
UMass Lowell nanotech – potential to partner with UML
Intermodal transportation through the LRTA
Mixed-use development
Open space and green space with trail connections
Great community, but not promoted
Establish regional haz-mat facility to pay for fire station
Threats: Inadequate economic development planning
Chapter 40B – uncontrolled growth
Neighborhoods threatened (40B, commercial and zoning changes)
Asphalt plant – truck traffic
Tax by fee
Overdevelopment a threat to open space
Lack of funding for transportation improvements
Eliminating commuter rail
Tolls on Rte 3
Losing talented people to other communities (40B excludes many)
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunites & Threats
At the March 24, 2009 Visioning Session, NMCOG, the town's consultant, will conduct an exercise in which the community will identify the Town's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. This is commonly known as a SWOT analysis. Above is a SWOT template that can used to assist in formulating thoughts prior to Tuesday's meeting.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Welcome
WELCOME to the Chelmsford Master Plan Process. This site has been established by the Chelmsofrd Master Plan Committee in order to provide a forum for the :* Committee to diseminate information and receive public input in a timely manner
* community to engage in an interactive dialogue about the Master Pan
* the community to provide comments, suggestions and ideas to the Master Plan Committee.
An Introduction from the Committee
Introduction
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. The Master Plan serves as a guide for the future development of the community. It takes a long range view of how our community should look and feel based upon a 10-20 year horizon. The Plan identifies broad, town-wide goals as well as specific objectives and strategies for implementation. The Master Plan serves as Chelmsford’s “vision” for land use and development planning. As new development, infrastructure and opportunities come forward, the Master Plan will provide the basis for guidance, coordination and accountability to policy makers and all stakeholders regarding the long term physical development of the community.
Background
During 2007 the Planning Board began discussions about updating the 1996 Master Plan. At the Spring 2008 Town Meeting, $70,000 was approved for Comprehensive and Strategic Planning. During the fall the Planning Board and town staff entered into discussions with the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) about contracting for services to update the Master Plan.
In December, the Planning Board appointed a Master Plan Committee. In January 2009, the Master Plan Committee began meeting and finalized the contract with NMCOG (see scope for more details).
Master Plan Committee
The Committee consists of 9 voting members; two planning Board members, and one of the following; Board of Selectmen, Zoning Board, Conservation Commission, Community Preservation, and representatives from Town Meeting, the business community and the residents.
In February 2009, the Committee drafted its Mission Statement and Goals & Objectives.
Public Participation
The Committee is committed to providing a process that engages the public in an open and inviting manner. To that end, the public participation process will include the following:
- Master Plan Committee on the Town’s webpage with links to all pertinent information such as meetings, minutes, draft documents, etc.
- Master Plan community blog web page for purposes of receiving public comments.
- A series of public / community meetings
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Master Plan?
The Master Plan serves to guides a community’s physical evolution by choice, not chance.
It takes a systematic, neutral look at growth and change by understanding the physical, policy, regulatory and economic determinants of what exists today – as a basis for anticipating their impacts on tomorrow. It assures that major decisions do not occur in a vacuum and provides a structured, predictable process for residents to participate in decisions that have long range consequences for the town.
The Master Plan will consists of the following elements; land use, historic and cultural resources, open space and recreation, natural resources, housing, economic development, transportation, and infrastructure.
2. Why do we need a Master Plan?
The Master Plan is a critical step in identifying the challenges facing the town and establishing the values which should influence town policy and decisions. The Master Plan will help the town to work toward a shared vision for the future. It will help ensure that limited land resources are used wisely.
3. Who developed the Master Plan?
The 9 member Master Plan Committee, representing a broad array of interests and town boards and organizations, will be working over the next 12 months with the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments and the community, to develop the Master Plan. The process will emphasize public participation through a visioning workshop, public meetings on goals and recommendations, as well as opportunity for public comment at all the Master Plan meetings during the course of the project.
5. Is the Master Plan intended to stimulate growth?
No. The Master Plan is a growth management plan. It neither accelerates nor slows the pace of growth in the community, which has fluctuated significantly in the past, primarily due to economic conditions. However, past growth has been at times inconsistent with the goals and vision of the community. The Master Plan seeks to establish a framework that will help Chelmsford achieve its desired future.
6. Is the Master Plan legally binding?
No, the Master Plan is not a rigid framework for future development. The recommendations are not legally binding. More effort is required to discuss, revise, and implement the recommendations. All zoning recommendations would need to be debated and voted at Town Meeting.
Adoption of the Master Plan does not imply that future actions cannot deviate from the recommendations contained in the document. Rather, the Plan represents a set of principles against which future decisions must be evaluated. The prioritized list of goals is very important, for it can help resolve future conflicts when it seems that various goals are at odds.
1. What is a Master Plan?
The Master Plan serves to guides a community’s physical evolution by choice, not chance.
It takes a systematic, neutral look at growth and change by understanding the physical, policy, regulatory and economic determinants of what exists today – as a basis for anticipating their impacts on tomorrow. It assures that major decisions do not occur in a vacuum and provides a structured, predictable process for residents to participate in decisions that have long range consequences for the town.
The Master Plan will consists of the following elements; land use, historic and cultural resources, open space and recreation, natural resources, housing, economic development, transportation, and infrastructure.
2. Why do we need a Master Plan?
The Master Plan is a critical step in identifying the challenges facing the town and establishing the values which should influence town policy and decisions. The Master Plan will help the town to work toward a shared vision for the future. It will help ensure that limited land resources are used wisely.
3. Who developed the Master Plan?
The 9 member Master Plan Committee, representing a broad array of interests and town boards and organizations, will be working over the next 12 months with the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments and the community, to develop the Master Plan. The process will emphasize public participation through a visioning workshop, public meetings on goals and recommendations, as well as opportunity for public comment at all the Master Plan meetings during the course of the project.
5. Is the Master Plan intended to stimulate growth?
No. The Master Plan is a growth management plan. It neither accelerates nor slows the pace of growth in the community, which has fluctuated significantly in the past, primarily due to economic conditions. However, past growth has been at times inconsistent with the goals and vision of the community. The Master Plan seeks to establish a framework that will help Chelmsford achieve its desired future.
6. Is the Master Plan legally binding?
No, the Master Plan is not a rigid framework for future development. The recommendations are not legally binding. More effort is required to discuss, revise, and implement the recommendations. All zoning recommendations would need to be debated and voted at Town Meeting.
Adoption of the Master Plan does not imply that future actions cannot deviate from the recommendations contained in the document. Rather, the Plan represents a set of principles against which future decisions must be evaluated. The prioritized list of goals is very important, for it can help resolve future conflicts when it seems that various goals are at odds.
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