Public Participation Component

In this phase we identify where we are today; what is our current state of the Town - existing projects, finances, infrastructure, etc.; what do the current trends, economic conditions, and demographics tell us about our town and where it might be headed. Strategic Assessment Reports will be prepared that identify what people like and dislike about South Hadley.

Public forums and community meetings are planned (please keep checking for the dates and times for these meetings). The first one, the Community Gathering held on March 5, 2008, allowed residents to describe what they liked or disliked about South Hadley. Participants broke out into groups to discuss such issues as land use, housing, open space, transportation, municipal facilities, historic/cultural resources, and economic development. Using maps of the Town, they identified potential land use planning strategies for each topic area. See the “Get Involved” tab for a copy of the presentation and the results from the Community Gathering.

An important product of this task is the Vision and Goals Statement that identifies the South Hadley of the future. The Vision Statement is distilled from lots of input from the community gathered during interviews and the Community Gathering where community members are invited to supply their own personal visions for the future of South Hadley.

Existing Conditions and Trends Analysis

VHB will work with the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, Town officials and other key stakeholders to conduct an initial inventory of existing conditions in South Hadley. This inventory will establish a baseline to help frame the analysis of the various Comprehensive 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:

1. Conduct site reconnaissance fieldwork including identification of Town 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 Town, including utilities and infrastructure.
2. Assemble available base data (reports, plans, mapping, GIS databases, etc.) from Town staff and/or the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, and confirm that necessary data is available for study of the various plan elements.
3. Review and evaluate existing relevant studies, including the 1979 Comprehensive Plan and 2004 Community Development Plan, and assess the implications of the studies and their findings for short- and long-term planning initiatives.
4. 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.

Draft Comprehensive Plan

During this stage, VHB, with the participation of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, will prepare the elements for the Draft Comprehensive Plan for review and comment for Phase 1 and 2. The consultant will also be preparing Geographic Information System (GIS) maps to identify the location of important resources and land use areas of South Hadley.

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 Comprehensive Plan through specific policies and other steps. This plan will include both short- and long-term action strategies.

The Implementation element will include an action plan that summarizes the actions that each party (e.g., Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, Planning Board, Board of Selectmen, etc.) will be responsible for completing within various 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 Comprehensive 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 Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, stakeholders, and any other interested parties. There will be ample time to review and incorporate any relevant changes.

The Living Comprehensive Plan:

Remember, the South Hadley Comprehensive Plan will be a living document. It will need to be reviewed and updated at least once a year. 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.

The South Hadley residents are invited to participate in the comprehensive planning process. Their input is vital to a successful Comprehensive Plan project.

There are a series of Milestone Events where the entire community is invited to participate and contribute directly to the data and information gathering process.

In addition to the Milestone Events, there are monthly meetings (usually) of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee during which the consultant will provide updates on the plan’s status. These meetings will be posted and are open to the public.

There are a series of Milestone Events where the entire community is invited to participate and contribute directly to the data and information gathering process. Check the Upcoming Events webpage or the Town’s Calendar for date, time, and location.

March 5, 2008 Community Gathering

• Kick-off meeting to bring everyone up to speed on planning process
• Questions and answers about content and process
• Brief snapshot of South Hadley demographic and land use statistics
• Input on future vision for South Hadley
• Break out group reports on specific subject areas

Forum Breakout Questions

Comprehensive Plan Sheets

Comprehensive Plan, Community Survey, 30+ Year Residents

Comprehensive Plan, Community Survey, 10-29 Year Residents

Comprehensive Plan, Community Survey, 0-9 Year Residents

Comprehensive Plan, Community Survey, Residents, No Years Specified

Summary of Top Votes at Community Gathering

Map of where attendees live and work

November 12, 2008 Community Gathering

Community Gathering Presentation

Priority Recommendations

Draft Comprehensive Plan elements to be submitted Fall 2008

Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee meetings

• Purpose: oversee planning process and review content of plan elements
• Review draft implementation plan
• Outcome: revisions for plan elements and draft implementation plan - review action steps and potential funding sources as they relate to goals & strategies for each element and recommend revisions as appropriate - provide input for determining implementation priorities.

Final Comprehensive Plan to be presented in December 2008 for adoption by the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and Planning Board.

As prepared and submitted to the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee, Comprehensive Plan documents will be posted here for your review. South Hadley 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 comprehensive planning process

• Vision and Goals Statements (will be posted when complete). They are contained also in the Vision Statement document in the Comprehensive Plan sections listed below.
• Community Design and Land Use
• Housing
• Economic Development
• Open Space and Recreation
• Natural Resources
• Cultural and Historic Resources
• Circulation
• Services and Facilities
• Implementation Plan