Community Development Plans ONLINE!

The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is in the process of reviewing and posting approved EO418 Community Development Plans (CDPs) to its Submitted Plans website.

Every Berkshire municipality that participated in the CDP program (listed below) submitted plans to DHCD in July 2004. CDPs are available in Adobe PDF format by clicking the PDF links below. Not all plans are yet available online. Check back periodically at the DHCD site or on this page for PDF updates.

Community Development Plan Program Background

In January 2000, former Governor Cellucci initiated the Executive Order 418, of which Community Development was a large component. Twenty-five of the 32 Berkshire towns and cities signed on to participate in the EO418 Community Development Plan program, a program designed to help local officials balance economic progress with preserving the quality of life in their communities.

This Program provided all communities across the Commonwealth with up to $30,000 in technical assistance (pre-planning) and planning services in four core areas; Housing, Open Space/Natural Resource Protection, Economic Development and Transportation. The Program was jointly funded by four state agencies; Department of Housing and Community Development , Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Department of Economic Development and the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction. Representatives from these agencies formed a working group responsible for reviewing and approving each Town's Community Development Plan Scope of Services. The Scope of Services described the planning work that the Town proposed to do and was a prerequisite for accessing program funds.

Though all Community Development Plans address the 4 core areas, the specific planning work performed in each community varied. The following is summarizes the planning work performed:

Community Development Plan Summary

Community Development Planning efforts took place in 24 Berkshire County communities. With the exception of Williamstown, which completed its CD Plan in January 2003 as a supplement to its Master Plan effort, all Berkshire community CD Plans were completed by July 2004.

CDP Housing Elements - Twenty-two (22) of the participating communities developed housing data profiles, affordable housing strategies, and future housing maps. The Town of Stockbridge used its CDP Housing funds to do pre-development work for an identified affordable housing site. The City of North Adams used its funds to develop a housing plan for the Bracewell Avenue neighborhood. More information on this effort can be obtained in the North Adams Neighborhood Revitalization Project Spotlight.

CDP Economic Development Elements - The Town of Clarksburg planned for the rehabilitation of the Strong Hewat Mill Site. The Town of Lenox used funds for a mixed-use revitalization project for the Lenox Shops property. North Adams, Stockbridge and West Stockbridge focused on plans to study specific redevelopment sites within their communities. Hancock and New Ashford conducted Fiscal Impact Studies in their communities. Otis planned the development of a large scale Community Recreational Facility. Monterey, Tyringham and Alford focused on efforts to sustain agriculture as a viable economic resource within their communities.

CDP Natural Resource Protection Elements - The majority of communities used their CDP funds to create or update Open Space and Recreation Plans and the associated mapping. The Town of Savoy with the assistance of BRPC and Conway School of Landscape Design completed an update of their Open Space Plan. The Towns of Monterey, Tyringham and Alford worked with new Biodiversity mapping information developed by UMASS Extension to assist them in their open space planning. The Town of Richmond used its funds to prepare a Clean Water-State Revolving Fund (SRF) Application to improve water quality at Richmond Pond by potentially extending sewer to the existing homes in the Richmond Shores area. Hancock and New Ashford conducted Fiscal Impact Studies in their communities.

CDP Transportation Elements - A number of communities used their transportation funds for more than one task. Ten (10) participating communities prepared Status of Roads or Official Road maps. Ten (10) communities also conducted studies related to the development of Bike and Pedestrian Trails. Eight (8) communities conducted Town Center Traffic and Parking Studies. Adams and North Adams worked jointly on a Corridor Management Plan. Hancock and New Ashford used funds for a Special Needs Transportation study.

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