Mashpee's Vision: A Proud Past A Bright Future

Update of the Local Comprehensive Plan

Mashpee adopted it's Local Comprehensive Plan in 1998. Since that time, there have been no major updates to the plan, however the Town updated its Open Space, Conservation, and Recreation Plan in 2007 and an Affordable Housing Production Plan in 2015. Much has changed in Mashpee and in the region since 1998. There have been substantial shifts demographically and new issues have emerged or have compounded making the effort to update the plan a timely and productive community exercise. The Town, following a Town Meeting vote, is working with the firm Weston & Sampson on the update. The first portion of this focused primarily on data collection and community engagement which was launched formally in March/April 2022. This page is intended to serve as a resource for community members to evaluate the results of our community engagement efforts, be kept informed relative to the project timeline and important dates, as well as any deliverables produced toward a final document such as maps, surveys, draft chapters, and implentation plans. The Planning Board serves as the local planning committee in support of the update.

DRAFT VISION STATEMENT (SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Mashpee is a vibrant, diverse community rooted in an ancient and proud past. Our vision for Mashpee’s future requires recognition of past injustices and traumas inflicted upon the Mashpee Wampanoag, the original stewards of this land, while nurturing the shared values of all residents for a better and more united future. Our vision relies on a sustainable combination of natural resource protection and balanced growth to ensure Mashpee’s small-town character and cultural heritage are maintained and reflected in all land-use decisions. As climate change continues to impact our coastal community we shall be proactive in our efforts to implement local interventions to reduce our community’s production of greenhouse gas emissions and its use of petrochemical plastic products and further to bolster Mashpee’s resilience to climate related impacts. We wish to be dynamic enough to retain Mashpee’s cultural identity while boldly meeting the challenges of the future to ensure enhanced prosperity and opportunity for all residents by restoring the health of Mashpee’s waterways while also providing the housing and shelter for residents in need and for the workforce who sustain Mashpee’s economy. We envision a future where our children, teenagers and young adults may realize their maximum potential, where families of all ages and sizes can sustainably and affordably establish themselves and grow, and where our older citizens can comfortably and safely enjoy the fruit of their life’s labors. We envision a future where intergovernmental relations between the Town of Mashpee and the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe are productive, efficient, and mutually supportive. By working together to heal the waters that have been polluted, the housing stock that has been neglected, and the ecosystems that have been disturbed, Mashpee will chart a bright and promising future for generations to enjoy.

Literature Review: Please find the all of the resources considered by Weston & Sampson and Planning Staff that formulates the basis for existing conditions in .pdf format here. Each of these documents were submitted to the Planning Department following a Request for Information in December 2021.

UPDATE: THE PLANNING BOARD IS ACTIVELY REVIEWING THE DRAFT IMPLEMENTATION TABLE OF THE UPDATED PLAN. THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT IS ACTIVELY UPDATING DATA IN THE INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS AS NEEDED. IT IS THE GOAL TO COMPLETE THESE REVIEWS BY THE END OF JUNE SO THAT A DRAFT OF THE PLAN CAN GO OUT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT IN SUMMER 2024 AND PRESENTED TO TOWN MEETING IN OCTOBER 2024. THE PLANNING BOARD MEETS THE FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAYS EACH MONTH. PLEASE FIND THE LATEST DRAFT DELIVERABLES BELOW:

Current Draft Chapters of the Updated Plan Maps                                                                                                                  
1.    Housing 
2.    Economic Development 
3.    Sustainability 
4.    Natural ResourcesNatural Resources Map
5.    Land UseZoning Map and Zoning Overlays Map and Land Use Map
6.    Heritage and PreservationHistoric and Cultural Resources Map
7.    Open Space and RecreationOpen Space Map 
8.    Municipal Buildings, Facilities, and ServicesInfrastructure Map
9.    Transportation and CirculationRoad Network Map
10.  Water and Coastal Resources 
11.  Implementation Table 

Consultant Presentations to the Planning Board: 

01/19/2022 Weston & Sampson Presentation to the Planning Board
02/16/2022 Weston & Sampson Presentation
06/01/2022 Weston and Sampson Presentation
01/25/2023 Weston and Sampson Presentation
05/17/2023 Weston & Sampson Presentation (Survey Results)
 

Community Engagement Results