State Planning Programs
Master Plans
Described in Chapter 41 Section 81D of the General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/41-81d.htm), a Master Plan includes the following elements: 1. Goals and Policies 2. Land Use 3. Housing 4. Economic Development 5. Natural and Cultural Resources 6. Open Space and Recreation 7. Services and Facilities 8. Circulation, and 9. Implementation. Although it is the responsibility of the Planning Board to establish such a plan, communities often wish to tailor their Master Plans to highlight priority topics and to give responsibility for its preparation to a committee which is broader than the Planning Board.
Community Development Plans
Executive Order 418 provided funding for communities to fulfill many of the objectives of master planning focusing just on economic development, housing, natural resources and transportation. Although this specific grant program is no longer offered, it continues to provide a useful model for community planning to address targeted issues within the context of resource protection.
418 Housing Certification
In response to the shortage of housing in Massachusetts, the State has implemented several programs designed to aid communities in affordable housing production. In 2000, Governor Cellucci enacted Executive Order 418, "Assisting Communities in Addressing the Housing Shortage." This Executive Order is still in effect by requiring a housing certification process in order to obtain bonus points for certain State grants. To qualify for housing certification, a municipality must meet certain certification standards annually. The municipality must have an approved housing strategy which identifies housing needs and specifies the actions that the municipality will undertake to produce housing that meets these needs. The program encourages the production of housing affordable to low-, moderate-, and middle-income households (those earning between 80 and 150% of area median income). Additionally, on a yearly basis, the municipality must submit the number of new units created to ensure that the needs identified in the housing strategy are being met. Certified communities are given bonus points in the Mass CDBG program and points on the Commonwealth Capital Application, which includes nine grant programs administered by DHCD, EOEA, and EOTC. For more information on Commonwealth Capital, see below. Additional information on the housing certification process can be found at http://www.mass.gov/dhcd/eo_418/default.htm.
Planned Production Regulation
The State encourages municipalities to complete an Affordable Housing Plan in accordance with DHCD's Planned Production regulation under Chapter 40B (M.G.L. 760 CMR 31.07(1)(i)). This regulation stipulates that municipalities may adopt an Affordable Housing Plan that is based upon a comprehensive housing needs assessment and includes strategies for the production of low- and moderate-income housing. For DHCD approval, the plan must demonstrate how the municipality will achieve the housing production required by the regulation, which is an increase of _ of 1% of total year round housing units reported in the 2000 U.S. Census. Thus identifying the capacity to carry out a feasible implementation program is a critical component of a Planned Production Plan. Once the Plan is approved by DHCD, the municipality may request certification of compliance with the Plan by submitting proof that the required number of qualifying housing units has been produced during the current calendar year. Certification will enable the municipality's Zoning Board of Appeals to deny comprehensive permit applications for a one year period following certification (or two years if the municipality produces 1.5% of total housing units). For more information on Planned Production Regulation, see http://www.mass.gov/dhcd/ToolKit/PProd/RegGuide.pdf.
Commonwealth Capital
As part of Governor Romney's smart growth agenda, the State has implemented policies designed to encourage municipalities to engage in development that supports the Sustainable Development Principles. The Office for Commonwealth Development's Commonwealth Capital (CC) policy encourages municipalities to adopt planning and zoning measures that are in accord with these principles.
In order to receive a competitive score for funding through certain state and Federal grants, municipalities must complete a Commonwealth Capital Application & Guidance. The application rates a municipality's progress on several factors, including promoting compact development, expanding housing opportunities, brownfield redevelopment, promoting and planning for livable communities, protecting the water supply, preserving working natural landscapes, and generally promoting sustainable development. In addition to the Commonwealth Capital Application, municipalities must also submit an application to the relevant grant program. The Commonwealth Capital score will represent 20% of the municipality's overall application score. A total of 85 of 140 points can be earned by completing or committing to carry out the smart growth planning, zoning, and affordable housing development activities. A high score in a municipality's Commonwealth Capital Application will advance one's over-all application score and thus increase the likelihood of funding.
Open space and recreation plans approved by the Division of Conservation Services (DCS) are an eligibility requirement for participation in the grant programs. However, communities often prepare these plans regardless of the availability of grant assistance. http://www.mass.gov/envir/dcs/openspace/default.htm
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