Comprehensive Planning

At the local level, BRPC provides assistance to all its member communities in preparing or updating Master or Open Space and Recreation Plans as well as aid in preparing any other comprehensive and strategic planning studies. Regionally, BRPC is working to develop a smart growth planning process, which incorporates local planning efforts in order to shape the desired future of the Berkshires.

Comprehensive Master Planning

Chapter 41, Section 81D of the General Laws of Massachusetts provides the legal basis for the creation of Master Plans. The process of creating a master plan is the responsibility of the Planning Board and includes multiple public meetings. Under this statute, the following nine elements of a Master Plan are identified:

Goals and Policies
Land Use and Development Patterns
Housing
Economic Development
Resource Protection
Open Space and Recreation
Services and Facilities
Transportation and Circulation
Implementation

Master/Comprehensive Planning Activities

The following are currently pursuing the adoption of comprehensive plans, with the assistance/support of BRPC:

Town of New Marlborough

BRPC is providing support to the Planning Board and Comprehensive Plan Committee as work through the comprehensive planning process. BRPC's work includes mapping, data collection and creation, and writing.

City of Pittsfield

BRPC is providing the logistical support for the various committees and subcommittees who are preparing a new master plan for the City, its first in 14 years. BRPC staff coordinates the committees and the public outreach efforts.

The following towns have adopted master plans recently or are planning to adopt master plans in the near future:

Town of Egremont* (2003)
Town of Dalton* (2001)
Town of Great Barrington (1999)
Town of Lee* (1999)
Town of Lenox* (1999)
Town of Stockbridge (1996)
Town of Sheffield (2004)
Town of Williamstown (2002)

*Developed in conjunction with BRPC

Open Space Planning

An Open Space and Recreation Plan is a community planning document which defines a town's goals and objectives toward protecting and preserving important natural and scenic resources, land for conservation, and adequate outdoor recreation activities. The Plan, informed by public participation, is a compilation of research and analysis related to community setting, land use, natural resources, challenges, needs and future action steps. The Executive Office of Energy & Environmental Affairs, Division of Conservation Services (DCS) provides a formal outline to each municipality on how to create and layout their Open Space and Recreation Plan. State guidelines for developing an open space and recreation plan DCS provides communities with their review and approval for five years. This approval allows the community to apply for additional grant funds offered annually by the state.

Open Space and Recreation Planning Activities

Town of Adams* (2002)
Town of Alford (2005)
Town of Becket* (Estimated Completion 2007)
Town of Cheshire* (2000)
Town of Clarksburg (2002)
Town of Dalton* (Estimated Completion 2007)
Town of Egremont* (2002)
Town of Florida (under development)
Town of Great Barrington (update, 2006)
Town of Hinsdale* (Estimated Completion 2007)
Town of Lanesborough* (Estimated Completion 2007)
Town of Lee* (2001)
Town of Lenox* (1999)
Town of Monterey* (update, 2003)
Town of Mount Washington* (under development)
Town of New Marlborough (2006)
City of North Adams (2006)
Town of Otis (2005)
City of Pittsfield (under development)
Town of Savoy (2003)
Town of Stockbridge (Estimated Completion 2003)
Town of Tyringham (update 2003)
Town of West Stockbridge (Estimated Completion 2003)

*Developed in conjunction with BRPC

Smart Growth Program

While much of the Berkshires remains in a natural and scenic state, sprawling and consumptive development patterns continue to threaten the region. Frontage lots, subdivisions and commercial strip development along major roads have blurred the boundaries between village and town centers and outlying rural areas; jeopardizing natural resources, municipal fiscal conditions, community quality of life and the Berkshire's natural landscape. In short, sprawling contemporary development patterns continue to slowly but steadily threaten the very quality of life that makes the Berkshires a desirable place to live and visit. Under the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's Smart Growth Program, efforts are being made to promote "smart" ways of building a community, preserving the natural and built environments, encouraging business development and providing quality of life benefits to all citizens.

In 1999, developed land in the Berkshires accounted for approximately 50,990 acres, or 8.4% of the region's total. Despite the region's continued loss of population from 1985 to 1999, there was a nearly 20% increase in land used for residential purposes - almost 8,000 additional acres. Approximately 84% of the developed land is used for residential purposes with nearly 84% dedicated to single family lots.

In an effort to better understand the effects of these development patterns, BRPC has initiated its Smart Growth Planning Program. Under this program, BRPC has produced planning forums, investigated zoning reforms, developed working papers, and created Spotlight on the Berkshires in order to present successful smart growth initiatives around the Berkshires.

The following Smart Growth Project Spotlights are currently available:

For more information on BRPC's Smart Growth Program contact Tom Matuszko at tmatuszko@berkshireplanning.org. More information about smart growth can be found by visiting the Smart Growth Network or the Planning Commissioner's Journal.