See the WRRB Review of Worcester’s Now | Next Plan

WORCESTER – The Worcester Regional Research Bureau’s most recent report summarizes the Worcester Now | Next Master Plan, a citywide long-range plan developed over the last two years that is now open to public comment until Feb. 25.

Worcester last adopted a citywide plan in 1987.

The WRRB overview breaks down the major elements of the 159 page plan, starting with what the Now | Next draft calls its “headlines”:

1. A values-centered framework for growth that benefits all Worcester community members.
2. Equitable and sustained public investment in Worcester’s neighborhoods.
3. A more connected and accessible city for all.

Supporting these “headlines” is the plan’s “Grown Framework,” which identifies ares of Worcester growth is likely in the future. The plan seeks to steer growth to areas that are accessible to transit. The report also identifies growth areas in other parts of the city. These areas are defined as:

• Managed Growth Areas;
• Infill Growth Areas; and
• Transformative Growth Areas.

WRRB also highlights the Now | Next Plan’s six short-term steps to implement its vision over 3-5 years:

1. Complete and implement a citywide Mobility Action Plan (planning already underway);
2. Implement pre-overhaul zoning changes (including legalizing accessory dwelling units, a step the City has already taken);
3. Develop a Housing Production Plan (which has recently started);
4. Advocate for increasing Departmental Implementation Capacity (i.e., increase City Department staffing);
5. Conduct infrastructure capacity and need assessments (in other words, what needs to be improved in terms of sewer, electric service, and the like to support a growing population?); and
6. Initiate a Comprehensive Citywide Zoning Overhaul (the City has updated its zoning code periodically, but has not overhauled it in decades; zoning should be updated to allow for new growth of all kinds).

The WRB report, titled “Questions to Consider about Worcester’s Now | Next Master Plan,” includes the following questions:

1. In what ways would the City prioritize spending to hire and retain new and existing staff to implement the plan?
2. How will the City approach community feedback, while still executing a zoning code update that fulfills the goals of Now | Next?
3. How will the City work with its neighbors to implement the transit goals of Now | Next, especially as many Worcester residents work in neighboring communities?

Each of these points includes descriptions, with the questions including commentary in a concise, two-page document. Two additional pages includes maps from the Now | Next Plan draft.

The WRRB report is available for download from its website, or can be viewed online. ]

The full Worcester Now | Next Draft Plan is available for download, or can be viewed online. Submit a public comment on the plan through this form.