This library is a quick reference list of Internet information with general resources for managing change. Please also check the Additional Information sections under each of the topic areas: Downtown Revitalization, Community Planning, Open Space Preservation, Riverfront Renewal, Historic Preservation, Regional Collaboration, Special Topics.

Blackstone Valley Institute Publications
These are publications produced by Institute staff and our partner organizations to provide information on topics and issues relevant to the Blackstone Valley.

Planning Resources & Links
These sites contain additional information related to the topics highlighted on this site. Also included are links to Valley news sources and private funding sources.

Blackstone Valley Communities
To find about more about the 24 communities that make up the JHC Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, link directly to their local government sites.

Model Ordinances, Bylaws, etc.
Examples from around the nation. One of the first steps to take in amending your town’s zoning is to see how others have already succeeded.

General Zoning Law and Other Regulations
Explore nationwide databases covering zoning laws, ordinances and other regulations. You can also check out on-line zoning, regulations, and codes for communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Online Master Plans
Several communities in Massachusetts and Rhode Island have published their Master Plans on-line. These are full-text references that can be helpful resources for those about to embark upon a comprehensive planning process. Browse these documents to become familiar with the range of topics covered. Some of these documents also include an explanation of the public process involved in creating the plan.

Blackstone Valley Institute Publications

Design Review in the Blackstone Valley
( 888KB / 31 pages )
Many communities in the Blackstone Valley are growing at rapid rates and face the challenge of ensuring that new development is compatible with the established character of their historic villages and neighborhoods. Several types of regulations can play a role in shaping the appearance of new structures, uses, and signs including implementation of design review. This manual was developed for Valley communities in both states and provides general information on how design review works, and how to begin a local design review process. Download a copy today and get the process going!

Community Preservation SuperSummit Executive Summary
( 685KB / 6 pages )
Presents an overview of the issues discussed at the 2001 summit, includes an explanation of the buildout analysis, summaries of issue-specific workgroups, and strategies for protecting community resources and balancing growth and development.

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Planning Resources & Links

RI Statewide Planning Program
Charged with preparing and maintaining plans for physical, economic, and social development of the state; encouraging their implementation; and coordinating the actions of state, local and federal agencies and private individuals within the framework of the state's development goals and policies.

MA Executive Office of Environmental Affairs

Central MA Regional Planning Commission
Assists local governments of the communities of Central and Southern Worcester County in transportation, community development, and geographic information systems.

RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission
Operates the statewide historical preservation program, which identifies and protects historic buildings, districts, and archaeological sites.

MA Historical Commission
Established by the legislature in 1963 to identify, evaluate, and protect important historical and archaeological assets of the Commonwealth.

MA Geographic Information System (MASSGIS)
Geographic and environmental data for Massachusetts, includes comprehensive database of geographically referenced information.

RI Geographic Information System (RIGIS)
Monitors and coordinates activities related to the use of geographic information system technology in Rhode Island, supports initiatives to implement or use this technology, and provide access to a comprehensive database of geographically referenced information.

Grow Smart Rhode Island
With an emphasis on policy and community outreach, this organization promotes business and residential growth that advances open land conservation and the preservation of rural character.

Lincoln Land Institute
A Cambridge, MA based non-profit dedicated to teaching and research relating to land policy. This site includes on-line education courses, as well as full text copies of the Institute’s newsletter.

Urban Land Institute
A think tank and professional development organization for real estate development and land-use policy making.

Planners Web
A comprehensive resource for professional planners, including an on-line “Sprawl Guide” that features a broad collection of growth management techniques.

American Planning Association:

MA Chapter of the American Planning Association

RI Chapter of the American Planning Association

Local News:

Woonsocket Call

Providence Journal

Milford Daily News

Pawtucket Times

Foundations & Grants:

Associated Grantmakers

Rhode Island Foundation

Dunn Foundation

Orton Family Foundation

Greater Worcester Community Foundation

Other Sites:

Sprawl Busters:
“Home Town America Fights Back” A site dedicated to halting the proliferation of mega-stores and large scale developments. Located in Greenfield, MA, contains national inventory of successful projects.

New Rules:
A public policy resource for local government officials and citizens, focused on community preservation, environmental protection, and effective government.

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Model Ordinances, Bylaws, etc.

RI DEM South Country Watershed - Model Ordinances:
( 716KB / 118 pages )
This 118-page report include model regulations written by land use Attorneys
Mark Bobrowski and Andy Teitz covering:

• pacing and phasing of development,
• subdivision phasing,
• development review,
• fee schedules, flexible design,
• conservation subdivision,
• planned unit development,
• assisted living facilities, and
• public access permits.

MA Southeast Regional Planning and Economic Development District - Library of Model Bylaws:
A collection of 28 model regulations, including - Rate of development (generic), Phased development (Rochester), Cluster By Right (Mattapoisett)

MA Citizen Planner Training Collaborative - Bylaw Library:
A large collection of model bylaws from Massachusetts. Among these are:

Historic preservation incentives (Lexington)
Flexible Development (Hingham)
Phased Growth (Amherst)
Corridor Overlay District (Brewster)
Scenic Roads

EPA Model Ordinances to Protect Local Resources:
Examples from throughout the nation focused on water resource protection, including open space development and transfer of development rights.

Cape Cod Commission: Model Bylaws:
Several models that target the preservation of the Cape's community character and natural resources. Background analysis and explanation of model components introduces each bylaw. Including:

Development rate limitation
Village style development
Open space residential Development

RI DEM: Transfer of Development Rights (TDR): ( 699KB / 58 pages )
Everything you ever needed to know about TDRs! This 58-page report details
how TDR's work, where they have been successful, how to develop a TDR
ordinance, and examples from Acton, MA, the Cape Cod Commission, the NJ Pinelands, and Bounder County, CO.

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General Zoning Law & Other Regulations

City of Seattle Public Library Index to Ordinances, Nation-wide

Municode:
National database of on-line ordinances, minutes, etc.

CompBase:
Database of on-line ordinances with Rhode Island focus, with some
Massachusetts, New Jersey, and California references.

MA General Laws:
A searchable, full text resource.

Code of MA Regulations:
A searchable listing of all CMRs, with some full text entries

RI General Laws:
A searchable, full text resource

Massachusetts On-Line Zoning, Subdivision Regulations, and Codes:

Cambridge

Fitchburg

Barnstable

Northhampton

Millis ( 318KB / 126 pages )

Billerica

Longmeadow ( 246KB / 83 pages )

Scituate

Chelmsford

Lexington

Newburyport

Rhode Island On-Line Zoning, Subdivision Regulations, and Codes:

An Inventory of Local Zoning Ordinances and Land Development Regulations, April 2001, RI Statewide Planning Program: ( 156KB / 48 pages )
A survey report of all RI zoning ordinances, with comparative charts illustrating which communities have enacted a variety of land use strategies, including Planned Residential/Cluster and Natural Resource Protection Provisions.

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On-Line Master Plans

Several communities in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and elsewhere have published their Master Plans on-line – these are full text references, that can be helpful resources for those about the embark upon a comprehensive planning process. Often contained within the introductions to these documents is an explanation of the public process involved in creating the plan, and by browsing through the plan itself, one can become familiar with the range of topics addressed in these long range visions.

Fitchburg

Franklin

Gloucester

Hopkinton

Lexington

Weymouth ( 28KB / 7 pages )

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[ top, right photograph by R.Christopher Noonan, Preservation Services, Inc.]