Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text
Article 47 - Master Plan
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Source page 1
http://www.town.canton.ma.us/445/Master-Plan Please see the following pages for additional information regarding Article 47. Thank you.
Source page 2
What a Master Plan is and what it is not:
A Town Master Plan is a written document that helps to shape the future of a town by
articulating a desired long-range vision for the town’s future and laying out the steps to reach
that vision. The Master Plan translates community values and desires into public policies that
help address the forces of change. Change raises many issues, among them concerns
regarding development, preservation and protection of desired elements, and the definition of a
place-identity—(e.g. an identity for the whole town or a specific area). The Master Plan identifies
the community’s goals and objectives for responses to change and shaping the future as well as
providing implementation strategies designed to achieve those goals and objectives.
A master plan is important because it affects things you do every day and how you’ll do them in
the future.
Master Plans
• Provide continuity and a common framework for addressing land-use issues
• A means by which a community can balance competing interests
• A means by which a community can protect public investments
• Plan development in a way that protects valued resources
• Shapes the appearance of the community
• Promotes economic development
• Provides justifications for decisions
• Through public dialogue, citizen express a collective vision for the future
For example, a master plan can identify:
• Suitable locations for commercial, housing, and mixed-use development
• Locations where the city should increase or decrease density, use redevelopment, or
intervene in other ways
• Opportunities to extend or improve open space, recreational areas, and civic facilities
• Strategies for increasing economic development
• Environmental, historic, and cultural resources that need conservation; and
• Strategies for solving congestion and improving transit/pedestrian/cyclist services
What a master plan doesn’t do
• Ties the Town’s hands
• Automatically makes decisions
• Becomes a static document
• Gives a ton of detail on every single aspect of the Town; further study and analysis may
be needed for certain priorities
Existing or ongoing plans:
• Housing Action Plan (2015)
• Stormwater Master Plan (2014)
• Community Preservation Plan (2016)
• Open Space and Recreation Plan (2017 pending)
o Trails Master Plan (2017 pending)
o Earl Newhouse Waterfront Plan (2017 pending)
• Municipal Services and Facilities (recent architectural study for municipal buildings 2017;
ongoing School master plan 2017 pending)
• Washington/Randolph intersection study (2017 pending)Source page 3
• Paul Revere Heritage Site historic buildings market feasibility, business, and operations
plan (2017 pending)
• Hazard Mitigation Plan (2009-2010) (currently being updated, 2017 pending)
• Energy reduction plan for municipal and school buildings (2017 pending)
• Complete Streets prioritization plan (2017 pending)
• Community engagement policy/plan (2017 pending)
What we don’t have:
• A new/updated vision for the Town to outline goals and policies in a high-level way
• Updated inventory and analysis of many existing resources and conditions, e.g. town
center, Rte. 138 corridor/York street area; neighborhood nodes, redevelopment parcels
• Updated trends, opportunities, constraints/ planning areas to target
• Transportation, circulation, and parking analyses
• Updated economic development information and priorities: business retention and
development, green market development, local economy, quality jobs/living wages,
targeted industry development, workforce readiness
• Updated historic and cultural /arts resources/preservation plan
• Build out analysis/ land use/ existing land use and zoning, proposed land use plan/
housing densities and demand, future housing opportunities
• Database of desirable parcels of land to acquire
• Updated hazardous materials sites to prioritize and clean up
• Updated existing natural resources mapping
• Update to municipal facilities and services needs
• Updated implementation plan, links to zoning/rule/bylaw/policy changes, and including
linking to capital, CPC monies, and other sources of funding
• No reference to other best practices: energy/water/waste efficiencies, active
living/community health, emergency management/hazard mitigation, food access, low-
impact development, sustainability priorities, aging in the community, civic engagement/
transparency, etc.Source page 4
MASTER PLAN UPDATE PROCESS
1. How long will the planning process last in weeks or months? –
18 to 21 months (6 months prep, 1 year update, 3 months dissemination, adoption, implementation
committee formation)
2. What future time horizon will the plan address, i.e. 5 years, 10 years, 15 years, 20
years?
I see just over 10 years as being reasonable – Say Canton 2030.
3. What subject matter will be included in the plan? Does it cover elements required to be
included under the state planning enabling law?
Elements required:
• Goals and policies (community engagement)
• Land use plan
• Housing
• Economic development
• Natural and cultural resources (can be broken down into Natural resources, and historic and
cultural resources separately)
• Open space and recreation
• Public services and facilities (incorporate capital planning)
• Circulation (transportation, parking, walk/bike/transit/traffic)
• Implementation
Additional elements to consider:
• Energy (e.g. municipal energy projects, community energy projects, promoting energy efficiency,
zoning for energy efficiency)
• Public Health and land use connection (can be incorporated into another section, like land use or
public services and facilities); or separate section on Social Services and Public Health
4. How much money will be earmarked for the planning process? Monies linked to a
particular time frame such as a fiscal year? Will contingency funds be available?
Master plans range in price from around $100,000 to $150,000 (see spreadsheet). We will be doing
an update, and have a recent housing plan and ongoing open space and recreation plan (lowers price).
However, will want a thorough transportation section, extensive community engagement, and possibly an
additional section or two (energy, health) (raises price).
I believe we should link monies to a particular time frame, and have contingency funds available.Source page 5
DRAFT PROCESS
ACTION RESPONSBILE TIMELINE
Funding ask: Planning Board, Finance Laura Smead, Planner Dec 2016+
Committee, Town meeting article
process
Awarded funds Town Meeting May 2017
Advertise RFP, assess proposals Laura Smead, Planner; Master Plan May-June 2017
Steering Committee
Recruit and form Master Plan Planning Board, Town Planner Spring-Summer
Steering Committee 2017
Master Plan Steering Committee kick- Laura Smead, Planner Spring-Summer
off meeting 2017
Award contract for master plan Town Administrator July 2017
update
Master Plan update Master Plan Steering Committee, July 2017 – June
consultants 2018+
Hearings before adoption of master Smead; Planning Board; Board of Fall 2018+
plan Selectmen
Adopt master plan Board of Selectmen Fall 2018+
Form master plan implementation Laura Smead, Planner; Planning Board; Fall 2018+
committee Master Plan Steering Committee
Determine implementation schedule Laura Smead, Planner; Master Plan Fall 2018+
Implementation committee
Disseminate final master plan Laura Smead; Planning Board; Master Plan Fall 2018+
Implementation committee
CPA requests; Capital requests based Laura Smead; Board of Selectmen; Fall 2018+
on master plan update Planning Board; Master Plan
implementation committee
Zoning changes based on master plan Laura Smead; Planning Board; Master Plan Winter 2018, for
update (if any) implementation committee town meetingSource page 6
Master Plan Updates
Town Year Population Consultant Cost Notes
Easton, MA 2014 23,112 Horsley Witten/COG, etc. $150,000
Randolph, MA In progress 32,158 Cecil Group/ Harriman $200,000
Hingham, MA 2014 22,157 MAPC $80-$100,000
public health/ energy components,
Hudson, MA 2014 19,063 VHB 100,000 award-winning
Community Circle, Martha
Lyon Landscape Architecture,
Milton, MA 2015 27,003 AECOM, CPA etc.
Burlington, MA In progress 24,498 Harriman/ The Cecil Group <$215,000
Had number of other separate elements
completed that reduced costs (housing,
Marshfield, MA 2015 25,132 VHB $75,000 open space plans)
Woburn, MA 2015+ 35,000 MAPC $150,000
Taunton, MA In progress 56,069 $125,000
Swampscott, MA 2016 14,722 MAPC $150,000
Fairhaven, MA In progress 15,873 VHB $110,000
Barry
David-Peterson Associates; Keppard, Health
Wellsley, MA 2007 27,982 Goody Clancy & Associates $150,000 MAPC Benefit
Maron
Tuhill
Planning
Board
Littleton, MA 2016/17 8,924 RKG & COG, etc.; dozen RFPs $150,000 Clerk
public
health/
Watertown, MA 2013 32,996 VHB $100,000 energy
Canton, MA 2004 21,000 Planners Collaborative $99,865Source page 7
DRAFT MASTER PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE COMPOSITION 1. Board of Selectmen representative 2. Conservation Commission representative 3. Council on Ageing representative 4. Housing Authority representative 5. Planning Board representative 6. Community-at-large member 7. Community at-large member 8. Community at-large member 9. Community at-large member Ex-Officio Members (as needed) 1. Town Planner 2. Chief Financial Officer 3. Director of Recreation 4. DPW Director 5. Police Chief 6. Fire Chief 7. Board of Health 8. Economic Development Committee 9. Finance Committee 10. Historical Commission 11. School Committee
Source page 8
Jones, Ellen
From: Smead, Laura
Sent: Wednesday, March 15, 2017 5:03 PM
To: Jones, Ellen; Aspinwall, Charles
Cc: Comeau, Jeremy
Subject: FYI: Town Master Plan commentary, rationale, and implementation
Attachments: What a Master Plan is and what it is not.doc; Implementation of Master Plan
spreadsheet 031017.doc
Dear Charlie and Ellen,
I’ve attached some information on the Town’s Master plan: commentary, rationale, and implementation status. Please
share with the Finance Committee.
Best,
Laura
COMMENTARY: In 2004 the Town of Canton created a Master Plan to guide decision-makers leading
Canton’s future. However, the plan is a living document that must be revised as conditions and circumstances
within and around Canton change. Canton has been successful and implementing many of the
recommendations within the 2004 Master Plan. However, a lot of development has happened in the past 12
years, including new large-scale development in Westwood and approval of the Paul Revere Heritage Site
development. The 2004 Master Plan is missing some of the more recent best practices (e.g. energy, public
health) which many municipalities now include in their master plans. The background data is dated and does
not reflect the most recent decennial census and local data. The goals are now no longer tied into the Capital
Improvement Plan.
The update of the plan will be a result of the coordination and compilation of information, data analysis, public
input, town officials’ opinions, demographic and market trend analysis, and professional expertise. It will
identify and articulate what-- in the opinion of Canton residents, business owners, town officials and the
Consultant Team --should be preserved and enhanced in Canton, and what can and should be changed over
time to meet evolving needs and to improve the quality of life for the Town’s residents. The updated Master
Plan will be able to integrate more recent subsection updates, such as the Housing Action Plan (2015) and
soon-to-be updated Open Space and Recreation Plan (2017).
Canton’s growth has citizens asking how their quality of life will be impacted as a result. A thoughtful Master
Plan can help ease uncertainty by ensuring Canton will remain both an environmentally sound and fiscally
healthy community. Smart growth management, directed by a Master Plan, involves more than protecting
existing community assets. It also means utilizing planning tools such as zoning and subdivision controls to
help shape Canton, while also taking into account local resources and the needs of future generations.
Forward-thinking and comprehensive transportation planning recommendations will assist the town in making
strategic investments to improve traffic flow, while protecting the needs and safety-concerns of transit-riders,
walkers and cyclists.
----------------------------------------------
LAURA SMEAD
Town Planner
Town Hall
801 Washington Street
1Source page 9
Zoning
Action Responsibil Timing Notes
ity
1 Create an Economic Opportunity District in the Revere Street area Planning 2005 Town
Board Meeting
2 Create an Economic Opportunity District in the Route 138 area Planning 2005 Town
Board Meeting
3 Create an Economic Opportunity District in the Viaduct area Planning 2005 Town
Board Meeting
4 Rezone the Milton-Hoosic, Blue Hills, Brook Meadow, and Wompatuck Planning 2005 Town Proposed 2017 Town meeting
golf courses from SR-A to SR-AA Board Meeting
5 Only cluster/flex development permitted on large parcels (golf Planning 2017 Town Town Counsel recommended against; can’t
courses) Board Meeting mandate this
6 Rezone the Mass. Audubon and Trustees of the Reservation Lands Planning 2005 Town Land already protected; voted to indefinitely
from SR-A (Audubon) and SR-AA (Trustees) to PROSD Board Meeting postpone this article
7 Revise the Groundwater Protection District Zoning bylaw Planning 2006 Town
Board Meeting
8 Extend Groundwater Protection District Planning 2017 Town Proposed for 2017 Town meeting
Board Meeting
9 Adopt and Illegal Accessory Apartment Amnesty bylaw Planning 2005 Town
Board Meeting
1 Redefine the “Build-Factor” in Pork Chop Lots to lessen the Planning 2006 Town
0 unfavorable impacts of these lots Board Meeting
1 Create a “Wetlands” Overlay Zoning District for lands along the Planning 2006 Town Proposed to make Zone II public lands and
1 Neponset River Board Meeting private conservation lands along Neponset
River zoned Parkland and Open Space – Town
Meeting 2017
1 Consider changing the minimum lot size in selective areas to better Planning 2006 Town Revisit with master plan update
2 achieve balanced growth Board Meeting
1 Prepare and adopt neighborhood node Mixed-Use zoning provisions Planning 2005 and Revisit with master plan update; So far mixed
use allowed in CCEOD and Plymouth RubberSource page 10
3 Board continuing site only 1 Create an Adult Entertainment Industrial Zone along the Railroad in Planning 2004 Town Not needed? Regulated with special 4 South Canton Board Meeting permit? 1 Rezone the Emerson Cumming Site to General Residential Planning 2005 Town 5 Board Meeting 1 Rezone Draper Mills Site to Mixed Residential Planning 2005 Town Revisit with master plan update 6 Board Meeting
Source page 11
Other Growth Management Tools
Action Responsibility Timing Notes
17 Work with land owners in Town Center to create a connected Conservation 2004 and In progress, CPA application for trails master
trail/pathway Commission continuing plan
system for access and views of waterfronts
18 Continue to work with private owners to improve the appearance Town 2004 and
of Canton Center through façade improvements and design review Planner and continuing
Building
Department
19 Pass the Community Preservation Act to acquire land for Town 2005
affordable housing Meeting Town
Meeting
20 Establish a land trust to receive, hold and dispose of property for Town 2005 To do; Works well with CPA funds and
open space, affordable housing and historic preservation Meeting Town priorities
and/or Meeting
Non-profit
organization
21 Establish a Housing Task Force to solicit and guide developer Board of 2005 To do; Works well with CPA funds and
interest in affordable housing Selectmen priorities
22 Provide tax incentives to preserve open space and encourage Board of 2005 To do; works well with CPA funds and
phased growth Selectmen priorities
AssessorsSource page 12
Town Management Practices
Action Responsibility Timing Notes
23 Adopt new state guidelines for stormwater drainage Planning Board 2005 In progress, underway for MS4 permit,
updating bylaws and stormwater regulations
2016-2017
24 Negotiate with state for uses and conditions of sale of the Mass Hospital Board of 2004 and Unresolved
property Selectmen continuing
25 Identify potential historic districts and pursue their densification Historic 2004 and Canton Corner
Commission continuing
26 Recruit volunteer amateur or professional naturalists to search for rare Conservation 2004 and Unresolved
and endangered species and vernal pools Commission continuing
27 Create Economic Development Commission Board of 2004
Selectmen
28 Explore possibility of developing a cross town network of open spaces; Board of 2005 and In progress, trails master plan, open space
discuss Selectmen continuing master plan; Recently negotiated public open
with neighboring towns, especially Stoughton (re: Glen Echo Lake area) space in a flex development plan for Indian
Lane parcel adjacent Glen Echo Pond with
pedestrian access to Stoughton Glen Echo
Lake area
29 Develop an Historic Resources Inventory and Preservation Plan Historical 2004 ? Did the Community Preservation Plan do this
Commission somewhat?
30 Develop a Regional Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan for the towns of Board of 2004 and Hazard Mitigation Plan dates to 2009-
Canton, Stoughton and Sharon Selectmen Continuing 2010; currently being updated again (2017)
31 Review Senior real estate tax deferment program Board of 2004 and To revisit next Master Plan; Canton’s is still at
Selectmen Continuing the default of 8% interest, could lower to
anywhere between 0-8%
32 Explore ways of protecting and recognizing individual historic sites Historic 2004 and Community Preservation Committee; CPA
Commission Continuing funds
33 Conduct a survey of existing dams Department of 2004 and I assume DPW has done this?
Public Continuing
WorksSource page 13
34 Explore possibilities of providing financial assistance for the elderly for Board of Health 2004 and The state and federal government offer
the Continuing programs; no local program that I know of;
septic system upgrades and code compliance Revisit in next master plan
35 Consider the creation of an Open Space Recreation and Parks Board of 2004 In progress, open space master plan
Commission Selectmen committee 2017
36 Conduct a study of open space and other natural resources in the York Conservation 2004 and In progress, open space master plan update
Street area Commission Continuing 2017
and determine protection measures
37 Support efforts to find appropriate locations for teen and senior centers. Board of 2004 and Senior Center created; Teen center or
Consider reusing building A (high school) as a temporary measure Selectmen continuing community center could be revisited in master
Building A plan update
Reuse
Committee
Continued Master Review/Updating
Action Responsibility Timing Notes
38 Establish a Permanent Master Plan Committee to monitor the plan Board of 2004 and But needs to be reinstated or revamped as a
Selectmen/ continuing Master Plan update steering committee
Planning
Board
Conservation
CommissionSource page 14
Capital and Other Improvements
Action Responsibility Timing Notes
39 Implement Route 138 Study Recommendations Department of 2004- Revisit in Master plan update
Public 2006
Works
40 Consider an East-West roadway Department of 2006- Revisit in Master plan update
Public 2007
Works
41 Work with the Mass. Highway Department on the design of Department of 2004- In progress
a Dedham Street off-ramp Public 2007
Works
42 Work to eliminate “A & Rs” (ANR subdivisions) to the Department of 2004- I don’t know why this would be DPW. This is a state law
maximum extent possible Public 2005 that allows land owners the right to subdivide using the
Works ANR process. Reducing/eliminating ANRs is likely
something that has to come from a state zoning reform
bill.
43 Encourage local businesses to disseminate transit Economic 2004 and Being done; but could be expanded; explore in Master
information to their employees Development continuing Plan update; Neponset Valley Transportation
Committee Management Association
44 Provide for pedestrian and bicycle facilities in new Department of 2004 and To do master plan update/ complete streets grant
roadway construction Public continuing program/policy (in progress 2017)
Works
45 Reduce infiltration and inflow into the sewer system Department of 2004 and In progress with MS4 measures? Stormwater master
Public continuing plan? Plan showing prioritized BMP sites in Canton.
Works Ongoing, in progress 2017
46 Continue and expand the current water conservation Department of 2004 and This needs more public outreach and education
program Public continuing
Works
47 Prepare and implement an aggressive storm-water Department of 2004 and
Management Plan Public continuing
Works
48 Consider adopting a mandatory septic system inspection Board of Health 2004 Not done; revisit in future master plan update
and maintenance program in chronic problem areas or
high risk areas (aquifers etc.)Source page 15
49 Consider prohibiting the use of town water for landscaping Department of 2004 Revisit in Master Plan update
and irrigation in new, large developments Public
Works
50 Carry out the allocations of the 5 Year Capital Board of 2004- Plan no longer tied to capital plan
Improvement Program Selectmen and 2008
Town Officials
51 Review local septic system regulations and upgrade where Board of Health 2004 No. Town tried with group of residents in that area;
necessary; Glen Echo money put aside at town meeting to engineer plans to
Lake should have priority put in sewer; initial plans stopped due to easements
needed (some residents refused); Most failed systems
in that area have been address (but not well); Priority
for water/sewer in the future. Revisit in Master Plan
update.
52 Acquire site for new fire station Board of 2006
Selectmen/3rd
Fire Station
Study
Committee
Land Protection
Action Responsibility Timing Notes
53 Create a town-wide trail and corridor study committee Planning Board 2004 and Walk, Bike, and Hike committee
Board of Continuing
Selectmen
Conservation
Committee
54 Acquire the rights to Reservoir Pond, Forge Pond and Conservation 2004
connecting streams Committee
55 Seek conservation restrictions on private golf courses Conservation 2004 To do
Committee
56 Update Open Space and Recreation Plan Conservation 2004 In progress 2017
Committee
21 “Done” = 37.5%
15 “In progress” = 26.8%Source page 16
18 “Not done – to revisit” = 32.1% 2 No longer applicable = 3%