Current Community Planning Projects

Habitat for All

Article 31, Open Space Residential Development is the final product of the Habitat for All community planning project. This article was passed at Annual Town meeting. 

The next step will be for the Planning Board to update its Subdivision Rules and Regulations at a public hearing. The updated Rules and Regulations will regulate other priorities identified during the Habitat for All community engagement process. Please stay tuned for more information and posted meeting dates.

To view past presentations and the draft zoning article, please click here: Habitat for All presentations and materials

February 12, 2024 Virtual Workshop - Final Recommendations

Click here to watch the recording!

“Creating strong neighborhoods that preserve nature and ensure affordable housing”

Habitat for All looks to address the Town's housing needs while simultaneously addressing the climate crisis in a comprehensive manner. 

Housing and resource protection are both important essential needs. This process looks to prioritize both; we can preserve critical open space that has numerous benefits, while allowing for a diversity of housing.

This community planning engagement effort is looking at how zoning could help to address both issues comprehensively through a by-right method for housing development that creates deed restricted affordable housing and protects natural resources.

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Housing Production Plan 

Past Public Engagement:

• Forum #3- March 12th at 6PM at Acton Memorial Library - Focus on creation of strategies to help achieve the draft goals [Presentation starting at 6PM with an Open House style event 6:30-8PM to provide feedback on strategies]
• Recording of presentation at joint Select Board/Planning Board meeting starting at 53:30 https://actontv.org/on-demand/post-video/acton-select-board-meeting-february-24th-2025 
• Recording of virtual workshop on 1/30/2025 View here
• Town-wide survey is now closed.
  
• PPT from Virtual workshop on 11/13 slides here.

What is a Housing Production Plan?

The last Housing Production Plan was adopted in 2020 and will expire in May of 2025.

The Town will be working with JMGoldson and our Regional Housing Services staff to help Acton update its 2020 Housing Production Plan by evaluating housing needs and establishing goals and strategies identified by the community.

What is a Housing Production?

• A Housing Production Plan (HPP), defined in regulations at 760 CMR 56.03 and administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), is a proactive strategy for planning and developing affordable housing.

• By taking a proactive approach in the adoption of an HPP, cities and towns are much more likely to achieve both their affordable housing and community planning goals. HPPs give communities under the 10% threshold of Chapter 40B, but are making steady progress in producing affordable housing on an annual basis, more control over comprehensive permit applications for a specified period of time. HPPs give communities over the 10% threshold a framework to maintain the statutory minima in accordance with local needs and community goals.

Kelley's Corner

Click below for construction updates:

Planning Division Responsibilities

The Planning Division conducts all statutory planning and permitting functions in a timely manner and with unbiased professionalism, fosters community pride, a sense of place and understanding, and confidence about the future direction of the Town. It also advocates sustainable growth to improve the quality of human life and lessen the burdens on wildlife and natural resources.

The responsibilities of the Planning Department include:

• Engaging in long-range planning for Acton
• Enforcing the zoning and other Town bylaws
• Planning and implementing alternative transportation facilities
• Providing wide-ranging support to the Boards and Committees of Acton
• Maintaining and further developing the Town's zoning bylaw and subdivision rules
• Other community improvements and fulfilling various State and Federally required reporting and monitoring functions

The Planning Department conducts all statutory planning and permitting functions in a timely manner and with unbiased professionalism, fosters community pride, a sense of place and understanding, and confidence about the future direction of the Town. It also advocates sustainable growth to improve the quality of human life and lessen the burdens on wildlife and natural resources.