| Process Description
The Master Planning Process is to be performed over a period of 3 to 6 months. The Master Plan will build off of existing planning studies prepared for and by the Town of Adams.
Because of the wealth of planning process undertaken in Adams in recent years, the vision for Adams, some goals and some action strategies are already identified and are still valid, but will be verified over the course of the Master Plan’s development.
Existing Conditions and Trends Analysis
VHB will work with the Master Plan Steering Committee, Town officials and other key stakeholders to conduct an initial inventory of existing conditions in Adams. This inventory will establish a baseline to help frame the analysis of the various Master Plan elements. Work will include performing a reconnaissance of the Town and its surrounding environs, collecting data and assessing base information (building on recent planning efforts already completed), and reviewing and summarizing existing and any recently completed planning studies. As part of this task, the consultant will undertake the following:
- Conduct site reconnaissance fieldwork including identification of Town land and building use, recently approved developments (or areas proposed/being considered for development), and an overall assessment of general physical conditions in the Town, including utilities and infrastructure.
- Assemble available base data (reports, plans, mapping, GIS databases, etc.) from Town staff and/or the Master Plan Steering Committee, and confirm that necessary data is available for study of the various plan elements.
- Review and evaluate existing relevant studies, such as the Downtown Development Plan, and assess the implications of the studies and their findings for short- and long-term planning initiatives.
- Evaluate existing land use and development patterns in Town and assess uses to determine whether the existing inventory meets community goals. Consideration will also be given to regional development trends that may impact future Town development.
In this phase, the consultants dig into the details of each plan element (or topic) and develop specific plans that will lead to the vision for that particular element. Based on the data collected and analyzed, and using the community vision as a guide, a plan will be developed for each master plan topic. A concrete set of recommendations will be made to implement plan goals and objectives.
The master plan topics include: land use; housing; economic development; public services; mobility (transportation); and implementation program.
Draft Master Plan
During this phase, VHB, with the participation of the Master Plan Steering Committee, will prepare the elements for the Draft Master Plan. Geographic Information System (GIS) maps to identify the location of important resources and land use areas of Adams will be prepared by the Berkshire Regional Planning Council (BRPC).
One important aspect of the Plan will be the Implementation Plan, which will be a straightforward, step-by-step guide for the Town to implement the Master Plan through specific policies and other steps. This plan will include both short- and long-term action strategies. This component of the Master Plan takes ever more importance in Adams because the Town has done so much prior planning. The consultants will therefore analyze the recommendations of all prior planning studies and prepared a detailed implementation program and provide a more detailed level of analysis, where feasible.
The Implementation element will include an action plan that summarizes the actions that various municipal entities (e.g., Master Plan Steering Committee, Planning Board, Board of Selectmen, etc.) will be responsible for completing within specified timeframes. VHB will also develop an Action Plan Map that illustrates the key points of the implementation plan. The map will incorporate any proposed zoning changes.
Final Master Plan and Implementation Plan
This last segment of the project will see the compilation of all pertinent data, information, maps, etc. into the final documents. The Implementation Plan will be finalized. VHB will prepare draft documents for review by the Master Plan Steering Committee, stakeholders, and any other interested parties. There will be ample time to review and incorporate any relevant changes.
The Living Master Plan
Remember, the Adams Master Plan will be a living document. It ideally should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis. A Committee will be charged with overseeing the Implementation Plan. As conditions change, and as various sections of the plan are implemented, we may find additional projects and/or strategies with which to achieve our goals and objectives. Please feel free to contribute to this ongoing process in any way that you feel comfortable.
Master Plan Contents
As prepared and submitted to the Master Plan Steering Committee, Master Plan documents will be posted here for your review. Adams residents and stakeholders will have a few weeks to review them and make comments.
Of course, they will be reviewed at least once a year and updated as necessary as part of the on-going Master Planning process.
- Vision Statements (will be posted when complete). They are contained also in the Vision Statement document in the Master Plan sections listed below.
- Goals and Policies Statement
- Community Design and Land Use
- Housing
- Economic Development
- Services and Facilities
- Mobility (Transportation)
- Implementation Plan
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About the Master Plan Project