Town Master Plan Process Off And Running

This article was submitted by Peter Kane, Swampscott town planner.

At its Jan. 18, public meeting at the Senior Center, the Planning Board of the Town of Swampscott agreed that it was important to provide the town with a clear vision and plan for the future by beginning the process toward a new Master Plan.

Many times, communities find themselves reacting to real estate development proposals that residents may feel is not fitting or appropriate. A master plan helps to provide a vision so that developers and the community have a better idea of what is desired and appropriate. This can help to reduce the time, cost, and effort surrounding real estate development approvals  — making the community more desirable to do business in and with.

This plan will help to establish the policies and strategies for the town regarding the following topics: the community as a whole, land use, housing, economic development, natural and cultural resources, open space and recreation, public facilities and services, and circulation and transportation. An implementation program is also included so as to provide the town with a process and guidance to ensure these policies and strategies are enacted.

As a first step in this process, the Planning Board and Planning Department released a community survey which was included with the annual street listing census. This short, eight-question survey, also available online, will help the Planning Board determine those topics most important to residents. As the survey states  — “This is your plan, and we’ll need your assistance.”

The feedback thus far, after a little over a week, has been very good. If you have not returned your survey or filled out the online form, the Planning Board encourages you to do so by Friday, Feb. 3.

Per Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 41 Section 81D, the town’s Planning Board is granted the role of developing a master plan for the town. The last approved Master Plan for Swampscott is dated 1971. The Master Plan acts as a guide and vision for future community and economic development while supporting a high quality of life.

If you would like more information regarding the community survey or the master plan process, please contact town Planner S. Peter Kane by phone at 781.596.8829, by email or by mail: Planning Department, 22 Monument Avenue, Swampscott, MA 01907.

Planning Board:

Patrick Jones, Chair

Angela Ippolito, Vice Chair

Sylvia Belkin

Jeffrey Blonder

George Potts