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Useful Links
Planning Related Websites | Description |
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| The APA is the national professional association of planners. This site contains a great deal of interesting information regarding the profession, innovative examples of community planning elsewhere, as well as updates on pending state and national legislation that affects planning issues. | | Good overview of planning issues in Massachusetts - from perspective of planners! | | The Boston MPO is one of the 13 Massachusetts regions established to carry out federally funded transportation plans and programs. Home to nearly three million people and covering roughly 1,400 square miles, it is made up of 101 cities and towns. The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which determines transportation spending within the region, is drafted by the MPO. | | MAPC was established by the State Legislature as the official regional planning agency for 101 cities and towns in Metropolitan Boston, including Marshfield. Marshfield is part of the 'South Shore Coalition,' a sub-region of MAPC. The SSC holds monthly meetings to consider regional planning issues such as transportation and land use. These meetings are open to the public. | | UMass offers many excellent courses for local board or committee members or citizens who would like detailed information regarding zoning and subdivision law, as well as other development issues such as drainage and "Approval Not Required" plans. | | The ZRWG has been working for several years to draft comprehensive revisions to the State's existing statutory framework for land use, including MGL Ch. 40A (the Zoning Act) and Ch. 41 (Subdivision Control Law). Their work resulted in the proposal of the Land Use Reform Act currently pending before the Legislature. The Planning Board voted to join the statewide Zoning Reform Coalition, and the Town Planner has been an active participant in the Working Group, attending monthly meetings at the State House and participating in the Outreach Subcommittee. |
State Related Websites | Description |
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| This State website includes several publications that offer guidance on bylaw and regulation revisions to promote smart growth and sustainable development, as well as innovative uses of Community Preservation Act funds. | | GIS is a powerful technology for mapping data to support public policy decisions. Massachusetts has done a great deal to facilitate GIS analysis, in large part through MassGIS and the free data layers that are available for download. | | This site offers access to all state resources available online. | | This site provides links to the homepages of all legislators, as well as links to the Massachusetts General Laws. This is an excellent resource for statutory research. | | The EOEA's CR Handbook is a step by step guide on creating a sound CR |
Federal Related Websites | Description |
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| Although local land use is largely beyond the jurisdiction of the federal government, the EPA has officially 'weighed in' on the 'Smart Growth' movement that is the foundation for many of today's planning initiatives. | | NASA's website offers a unique perspective on 'Urban Sprawl,' illustrating regional land use patterns over time. | | This federal government site provides a "visioning" tool to review the impacts of various development types in a coastal environment: "conventional" subdivision; "conservation" subdivision and "traditional neighborhood development." | | Federal resources for protection of groundwater quality. |
Housing Related Websites | Description |
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| "Good design can make a world of difference for the people who will live in the affordable housing you help build, and for the neighborhood surrounding it. The Affordable Housing Design Advisor is here to help you at every step." | | Good site for information regarding the Comprehensive Permit Law (M.G.L. Ch. 40B), Executive Order 418, and other DHCD policies and programs. |
Non-Profits Related Websites | Description |
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| Massachusetts group promotes conservation design in subdivisions. Recently conducted workshop for Marshfield and Duxbury Planning Boards. | | The Massachusetts Audubon Society is the largest conservation organization in New England, concentrating its efforts on protecting the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. | | Site includes many good resources, including this report outlining the fiscal benefits of land acquisition for water quality protection. | | The Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the natural heritage of Southeastern Massachusetts. | | The North and South River Watershed Association is a local nonprofit organization that is devoed toprotection of the natural beauty ofthe North and South Rivers and the surounding watershed areas and a strong commitment to protecting these natural resources for future generations.
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