Protecting Our Land. Planning Our Future.
Development can bring opportunity, but it also creates permanent change. Communities should have a clear plan for where growth belongs, what should be protected, and what residents should receive in return when major development occurs.
Take Action
Is Your Community Prepared for Major Development?
You don't need to be a planner, attorney, or elected official to ask important questions about the future of your community.
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Start by contacting your Mayor, Municipal Clerk, or governing body and ask:
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LAND USE
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Where does our current zoning allow major development?
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What types of large-scale development are currently permitted?
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Are any significant development applications currently being considered?
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MASTER PLAN
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When was our Master Plan last reviewed?
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Does it clearly identify what our community wants to preserve and where future growth should occur?
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Are farmland, open space, infrastructure, historic resources, and community character adequately addressed?
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COMMUNITY BENEFITS
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Does our municipality maintain a current, prioritized list of community needs?
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Do we have a Community Benefits Framework for significant future development?
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Do we have qualified legal and professional expertise available to evaluate major projects and determine what community benefits may lawfully and appropriately be pursued?
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At what point in the development process are community-benefit opportunities considered?
If the Answer Is "No"
That's the time to start the conversation.
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Encourage your municipal leaders to review the community's Master Plan, identify and prioritize local needs, evaluate existing land-use protections, and establish a Community Benefits Framework before the next major development proposal arrives.
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Use the guides, templates, and resources provided here to help begin that conversation.
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We don't have to choose between development and preservation. We can plan for growth, protect what matters, and make sure development leaves our communities stronger.