2007-2017 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Wellesley has prepared three Comprehensive Plans, in 1965, 1981 and 1994. During 2004-2005, the Planning Board will oversee the preparation of an update to the 1994 Plan. Maintaining an up to date Comprehensive Plan is a requirement under state law. The comprehensive plan process will provide an opportunity for Town residents, businesses, and property owners to identify community goals for the next ten years and agree on the strategies the Town should pursue to achieve those goals. The purpose of the plan is to provide recommendations and guidance in the areas of land use and zoning, housing, economic development, natural and cultural resources, open space and recreation, transportation, and Town facilities and services.
The Comprehensive Plan process includes a survey and two planning phases. The Planning Board contracted with Davison-Peterson Associates for a survey of community priorities in early 2004. The Board chose Goody Clancy, a Boston planning and design firm, to be the consultants for Phase One of the plan.
Survey
The survey was completed by Davison-Peterson Associates in February 2004. The Executive Summary of the survey report can be downloaded here. The complete survey report can be viewed at the Planning Department Office in Town Hall or a copy can be ordered by calling 781-431-1019, ext. 234.
Phase One
Phase One will include review of the 1994 Plan, an intensive public participation process, plan elements on Goals and Policies, Housing, Economic Development, and Land Use, and preparation of the scope for Phase Two of the Plan. Phase One will be completed in early 2005.
Phase Two
The second phase will focus on the Plan elements on Natural and Cultural Resources, Open Space and Recreation, Services and Facilities, Transportation and Circulation, and Implementation. Phase Two is expected to be completed by the end of 2005.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE
The Planning Board has invited a group of knowledgeable Wellesley residents representing all parts of Town to serve on the Steering Committee for the Comprehensive Plan. In addition, others who have specific expertise in specific Plan areas will be asked to review draft documents. During the course of the planning process, members of the Steering Committee will visit town boards and commissions to keep them abreast of Comprehensive Plan discussions and emerging recommendations and to ask for their feedback.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
The Planning Board knows that public participation in the comprehensive planning process is essential to its success. All meetings of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee will be open to the public. In October Wellesley residents and other stakeholders were invited to a series of workshops and meetings in the Great Hall of Town Hall. Although the Neighborhood Workshops focused to some degree on issues specific to the identified precincts, residents were encouraged to attend any of the workshops.
Residents can also participate by attending Steering Committee meetings, providing suggestions through the email Suggestion Box on this page, commenting on the draft documents that will be posted. Over the course of Phase One, a newsletter with updates on the progress of the Comprehensive Plan project will also posted on this web page.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN NEWS BULLETIN
Regular updates on the progress of the comprehensive plan process will be posted here.
Fact Sheets
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