The Master Planning Process is managed by City Staff and the Master Plan Committee, with support from a team of consultants. The City has entered into a consulting contract with Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) as the prime contractor.

The following provides more detail for the chapters of the Master Plan. As part of the data collection process, the basic approach will be to:

• Conduct site reconnaissance fieldwork including identification of City land and building use, protected and unprotected natural resource areas, recently approved developments (or areas proposed/being considered for development), wetlands and water resource areas, and an overall assessment of general physical conditions in the City, including utilities and infrastructure.
• Assemble available base data (reports, plans, mapping, GIS databases, other in house municipal data such as property assessment databases, etc…) from City staff and/or the Master Plan Steering Committee, and confirm that necessary data is available for study of various Master Plan elements.
• Review and evaluate any relevant planning studies, and assess the implications of the studies and their findings for short and long term planning initiatives.
• Evaluate current land use and development patterns in New Bedford 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 City development.

Vision
New Bedford’s vision of itself will be outlined in detail in the 2020 Master Plan to provide a future that builds on the unique attributes and natural resources that have defined this City and leverages them to shape and sustain a vibrant city life.

Zoning
As part of the planning process, the City of New Bedford’s zoning ordinance will be reviewed and revised to cull out antiquated provisions and to be responsive to changing trends in land use and development needs. Additionally, the ordinance revision will reflect recommendations from the ongoing Master Plan effort and those found in other recent planning efforts.

Economic Development
The VHB Team will prepare a framework for an economic development chapter that addresses ways to strengthen New Bedford’s economic base, considering the structure and composition of the local economy and its relationship to the regional economy.

Housing/Neighborhood Plans
The VHB Team will prepare a framework for a housing and neighborhood element that will analyze housing needs in New Bedford in terms of both housing choice and affordability.

Land Use
The Land Use chapter will analyze existing and historic land use patterns, local development regulations and policies, priority sites for redevelopment opportunities, and community goals for future growth and development.

Transportation
The Transportation element will provide and assessment of the existing and proposed transportation network in New Bedford.

Environmental
Natural Resources: This section in the Master Plan will provide an inventory of significant natural resources in the City of New Bedford, including the Harbor area, and will identify strategies to preserve these resources.

Natural Hazards: By reviewing previous studies the Master Plan will see how potential natural hazards can affect other planning goals and identify potential means of mitigating any impacts.

Brownfields: The City of New Bedford was one of the first Brownfield success stories in the Commonwealth. The City continues to leverage these successes in its revitalization, especially along the waterfront and in other former industrial areas.

Sustainability
Sustainability will be an underlying theme for the plan and recommendations will be made that incorporate sustainability principles into the context of a land use plan.

Open Space and Recreation
The Open Space and Recreation element will update and incorporate relevant information regarding existing recreation facilities and future conditions needed to accommodate projected population trends.

Community Facilities
The VHB Team will assemble and analyze data required to prepare a comprehensive Community Facilities element for the Master Plan. VHB will make recommendations to identify potential capital improvements, and will develop a framework to assist the City with the integration of community facilities with its housing and economic development priorities.

Historic Preservation
VHB will assess data already collected on significant sites and make recommendations as to how to present these resources to a diverse audience of resident and tourists.

Harbor Plan
VHB will evaluate the information from the New Bedford/Fairhaven Harbor Master Plan and the soon to be completed Upper Harbor Community Visioning project to prepare the framework for additional planning efforts and strategies needed to advance the enhancement of this resource.

Utilities
Existing utilities that serve the City will be identified and long term needs will be assessed.

Energy
Energy issues and demand will be examined as they relate to development and City services. Recommendations towards increased long term sustainability will be made.

Implementation Plan
VHB will work with the staff and Steering Committee to produce and Implementation Plan that is designed to help the City meet its planning goals and objectives.