Community Master Plans

Berkley Master Plan

This web page is the online hub of the Master Plan process. We keep this site up to date with new information and online and in-person events - please check in regularly and view the project sub-pages listed below.

Welcome to the Berkley Master Plan Project Page

Berkley is creating a Master Plan that will help guide the town moving forward. To complete this work, town officials need to hear from you - Berkley residents, business owners, and workforce members. Your input is the essential ingredient – combined with current, accurate data – that builds your community Master Plan!

What is a Master Plan?

A Master Plan can be many things. It is a narrative that tells the story of Berkley’s history and the experience of living in town today. It is a technical document that considers population, market, and land use changes in order to chart where we are now a course for tomorrow. It is a policy document that lays out a consensus vision for Berkley and articulates the strategies and actions that will help the town meet its goals. In short, it is a long-range plan that helps guide the town, that builds trust by making transparent decisions, and that bases those decisions on accurate information and public input.  For more detail, please see Elements of a Master Plan or this example from a nearby town.

Project Roles

The Town is working with Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) to develop its next community Master Plan. SRPEDD is a public, non-profit agency that serves 27 communities in southeastern MA. The project will take place from Summer 2018 to Winter 2020. Our role is to facilitate a proactive and transparent civic engagement process that gathers and integrates your views on community needs and aspirations.

Stay Connected

Mailing List

Sign up for our mailing list to be notified of all the events that support the project.

Direct Contact

Email SRPEDD project lead Grant King, AICP at gking@srpedd.org.

Interactive Map Gallery

Document Library

OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE

PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOP MATERIALS

Workshop 4: October 9th, 2019

  • "Services & Facilities and Transportation & Circulation" Public Workshop Presentation
  • "Services & Facilities and Transportation & Circulation" Public Workshop Handout
  • "Services & Facilities and Transportation & Circulation" Public Workshop Summary Report

Workshop 3: June 8th, 2019

  • "Natural & Cultural Resources and Open Space & Recreation" Public Workshop Presentation
  • "Natural & Cultural Resources and Open Space & Recreation" Public Workshop Summary Report

Workshop 2: April 6th, 2019

  • "Land Use, Housing, and Economic Development" Public Workshop Presentation
  • "Land Use, Housing, and Economic Development" Public Workshop Summary Report

Workshop 1: November 3, 2018

  • Master Plan "Discovery" Public Workshop Agenda
  • "Discovery" Public Workshop Presentation
  • "Discovery" Public Workshop Demographic Data
  • "Discovery" Public Workshop Summary Report
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PROJECT MAPS

  • Berkley Land Use
  • Berkley Zoning
  • Berkley Open Space
  • Berkley Habitats
  • Berkley Water Resources
  • Berkley Bicycle, Pedestrian and Transit Network
  • Berkley Intersection Crashes
  • Berkley Roadway Network by Jurisdiction
  • Berkley Housing
  • Berkley PDA/PPA

TOWN DOCUMENTS

  • Berkley Zoning Bylaws
  • Berkley Open Space and Recreation Plan (2009)
  • Berkley Priority Development Areas and Priority Protection Areas (2013)
  • Berkley Goals Project (1995)

Elements of a Master Plan

According to Massachusetts General Law, a Master Plan has nine required "elements" (or "chapters"). We post drafts of each element here as they are created, and welcome comments on any section.

 

  1. The Statement of Goals and Policies sets out Berkley's vision for the future. It presents community values, goals, and the land use objectives that will meet these goals.
  2. The Land Use Element describes Berkley’s current and future land use patterns, including proposed locations for various types of activity, such as residences, businesses, and recreation, and the preferred relative intensity of development across the town’s diverse built landscapes.
  3. The Housing Element creates a plan to meet the town's housing needs, which are identified using demographic and market information.
  4. The Economic Development Element identifies strategies for growing the town's economy by building upon local strengths and bringing new and compatible opportunities to Berkley.
  5. The Natural and Cultural Resources Element is an opportunity for Berkley to highlight and take stock of its natural, cultural, and historic resources.
  6. The Open Space and Recreation Element describes existing open space and recreational facilities in town and aligns plans for future recreation and open space with project population needs.
  7. The Services and Facilities Element identifies existing and anticipated needs for public infrastructure and services.
  8. The Circulation and Transportation Element provides an inventory of existing and proposed transportation infrastructure and services across all modes including private cars, public transit, and bicycle and pedestrian routes.
  9. The Implementation section provides a blueprint and schedule for making the master plan a reality.