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All About Master Plans – a Primer Derived from Multiple Government Sources:
On Saturday from 11-3, the Town's Master Plan Committee is hosting a big "show and tell" at Dean College to showcase progress on creating a new Master Plan. But what exactly is a master plan?
A master plan is a comprehensive long range plan intended to guide growth and development of a community. A key intent of the document is to ensure decision-making considers both the long-term effects of an action and is consistent with an over-all vision created by the community. Franklin’s last master plan was completed in 2013. The current effort is about a year old and heading toward the finish line.
A critic might equate the master plan process with design-by-committee, a process that is usually more political than rational. The phrase, "a camel is a horse designed by committee" is often used to describe design by committee. The proverb "too many cooks spoil the broth" expresses the same critique. So, master plans are imperfect compromises, but they do provide a reference point and a point of departure as elected officials and town employees move forward. That’s why the plans were created and why they are periodically updated.
Formally, a Municipal Master Plan is a statement, explored and explained through text, maps, illustrations or other exhibits, designed to provide a basis for decision making regarding the long-term physical development of a municipality.
The comprehensive plan must be internally consistent in its policies, forecasts and standards. It MUST include the following elements:
A Goals and policies statement
This would identify the goals and policies of the municipality for its future growth and development. Ideally, the town or city would conduct an interactive public process, soliciting input from residents, to determine community values, goals and to identify patterns of development that will be consistent with these goals.
Land use plan
This element would identify existing land uses, and designate the proposed distribution, location and inter-relationship of public and private land uses. This section should also 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.
Housing
This section of the Master Plan should identify and analyze existing and forecasted housing needs and objectives including programs for the preservation, improvement and development of housing. This element should also identify policies and strategies designed to provide a balance of local housing opportunities for all citizens.
Economic development
The plan should identify policies and strategies for the expansion or stabilization of the local economic base and the promotion of employment opportunities.
Natural and cultural resources
The plan should provide an inventory of the significant natural, cultural and historic resource areas of the town, and suggest policies and strategies for the protection and management of such areas.
Open space and recreation
The plan should also provide an inventory of recreational and resources and open space areas of the municipality, and outline policies and strategies for the management and protection of such resources and areas.
Services and facilities
The Plan should take note of municipal and other services provided to the town,a s well as facilities necessary to enable those services. The plan should identify and analyze existing conditions, and forecasted needs, for those facilities and services used by the public.
Circulation
This section should examine systems and networks for all modes of transportation (pedestrian, bicycle, vehicle, public transit, etc.), and should present an inventory of existing and proposed circulation and transportation systems.
Implementation
Probably the most important aspect of the plan, this section should define and schedule the specific municipal actions necessary to achieve the objectives of each element of the master or study plan. This may include:
Scheduled expansion or replacement of public facilities
Repairs, improvements, or additions to transportation system components
Anticipated costs and revenues associated with such activities.
This section should coordinate with any other similar capital asset management efforts (such as through the Town's Capital Planning Committee). This section should also specify the process by which the town's regulatory structures (Town Code, zoning, etc.) shall be amended so as to be consistent with the master plan.
Amendment / Modification
Such plan shall be made, and may be added to or changed from time to time, by a majority vote of the Planning Board and shall be public record. The planning board is also required to submit the plan or any subsequent amendments, to the Department of Housing and Community Development.
Economic Development Supplement
If the Town has an established master plan, and applies for a state grant, it is required to include with such plan an economic development supplement.
That supplement must be at least one page in length and must contain the goals of the town with respect to industrial or commercial development, affordable housing, and preservation of parks and open space.
