•What
is a master plan?
–
A master plan is a guide to manage future growth so as to protect
Chelmsford’s natural resources, character and family orientation. It
will be an important tool for town residents, boards, and officials as
the community makes decisions about land use, open space, and
development.
The master plan includes a vision for the town, goals, and many
recommendations. It addresses land use, town character, historic and
cultural resources, open space and recreation, natural resources,
housing, economic development, transportation, and infrastructure.
•What
is the Process?
–
The entire process has a 12-16 month timeline, which includes bimonthly
master plan advisory committee meetings and six community input
sessions. The first meeting was a visioning session with the Town of
Chelmsford and it’s residents held on March 24th,
2009.
•How
will a master plan help the community?
–
There are several ways in which a master plan can help the Town of
Chelmsford. It will help manage Town growth and changes by providing
guidance to local officials, residents, and businesses on a number of
decision making issues.
•Is
this required? Have we done this before?
–
Under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 41, Section 81D, the planning
board is required to prepare a master plan. The Town of Chelmsford has
a long history of preparing master plans, having produced plans in 1963,
1975, 1986, and 1996. The document however is not legally binding
and recommendations from the document are not required to be
implemented. Also future actions, not listed in the document, may
be implemented as well. This document serves to provide a set of
principles against which future decisions must be evaluated.
