Plans of Conservation and Development & Master Plans

Table of Contents

Introduction
Why Bother?
Planning Process Overview
CT Statutory Requirements
MA Statutory Requirements
QSHC Examples
Helpful Links
Other Resources

 

Massachusetts Statutory Requirements

M.G.L. c41, §81D requires that in the preparation of a Master Plan, a planning board (and the community) shall include the following elements:

1. Goals and policies statement which identifies the goals and policies of the municipality for its future growth and development. Each community shall conduct an interactive process to determine community values and goals and to identify patterns of development that will be consistent with these goals.
2. Land use plan element which identifies present land use and designates the proposed distribution, location and inter-relationship of public and private land uses.  This element shall relate the proposed standards of population density and building intensity to the capacity of land available or planned facilities and services.  A land use plan map illustrating the land use policies of the municipality shall be included.
3. Housing element which identifies and analyzes existing and forecasted housing needs and objectives including programs for the preservation, improvement and development of housing.  This element shall identify policies and strategies to provide a balance of local housing opportunities for all citizens.
4. Economic development element which identifies policies and strategies for the expansion or stabilization of the local economic base and the promotion of employment opportunities.
5. Natural and cultural resources element which provides an inventory of the significant natural, cultural and historic resource areas of the municipality, and polices and strategies for the protection and management of such areas.
6. Open space and recreation element which provides an inventory of recreational resources and open space areas of the municipality, and policies and strategies for the management and protection of such resources and areas.
7. Services and facilities element which identifies and analyzes existing and forecasted needs for facilities and services used by the public.
8. Circulation element which provides an inventory of existing and proposed circulation and transportation systems.
9. Implementation program element which defines and schedules the specific municipal actions necessary to achieve the objectives of each element of the master or study plan.  Scheduled expansion or replacement of public facilities or circulation system components and the anticipated costs and revenues associated with accomplishment of such activities shall be detailed in this element.  This element shall specify the process by which the municipality’s regulatory structures shall be amended so as to be consistent with the master plan.

The plan may be added to or changed from time to time by a majority vote of the planning board and is a public record.  Any completed plan must be submitted to the department of housing and community development.  In addition, any town or city that has established a master or study plan and applies for a state grant must prepare and keep on file an economic development supplement which contains the goals of the municipality with respect to industrial or commercial development, affordable housing and preservation of parks and open space.

For the more detailed information see Sections 81 A-J, Municipal Planning:
          http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-41-toc.htm