Winchendon’s Draft Master Plan – A Deeper Dive (Part 2)
by Jill Sackett
This is the second in a series of articles the Courier is publishing on the town’s draft Master Plan, which is currently open for public comment through October 15. Last week we looked at the Vision and Key Challenges of the Plan, and the general structure of the document.
Goals and strategies to effect change are categorized into nine chapters. This week we will review the Land Use and Open Space chapters.
Fully 72% of Winchendon’s land area is still undeveloped open space and forest. Over the past decade, Winchendon’s scenic rural landscape and relative affordability has attracted housing development to serve people who work in the greater Boston and Worcester areas, and solar array construction due to the availability of large tracts of land. Many townspeople report Winchendon’s traditional access to open spaces as a positive feature, while noting limited public access to the Miller’s River and ponds downtown.
Our town must balance the need for a commercial tax base while protecting us from development our citizens find undesirable. The Land Use and Open Space chapters draw heavily upon the Open Space and Recreation Plan completed for Winchendon in 2015 by Tighe & Bond.
The Land Use chapter sets goals to encourage compact, mixed-use development in downtown Winchendon. We should adhere to our zoning bylaws that promote pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development, while updating bylaws to allow for smaller lot sizes, infill and more than one building per parcel. Additional goals are set to promote green living in conjunction with identification and preservation of open space and recreation lands, particularly those that are environmentally sensitive. Partnerships with conservation organizations and community awareness should be promoted. A particular focus is on agricultural use: preservation of important farmlands and creation of “agritourism” and “buy local” campaigns.
The Open Space chapter acknowledges the need to ensure abundant public access to open space, and notes that recreation can be a catalyst for economic growth. Goals include the development of more hiking/biking trails, a network of playgrounds and walking routes, downtown pocket parks, and improving the visual quality of our open spaces. Whitney Pond cleanup efforts should be undertaken and recreational access to water bodies in town should be explored. Finally, goals are set for water quality and supply: septic and sewer system improvements, drinking water protection and wetlands protection.
Many of the goals in these two chapters will be assigned to the town’s Agricultural Committee, Conservation Committee and/or Parks Committee. All three committees will likely seek additional members and advisors to undertake this work. Residents interested in advancing any of these goals or to simply learn more are encouraged to contact Tracy Murphy, Director of Planning and Development via email at tmurphy@townofwinchendon.com or 978-297-3537.
The entire draft Master Plan is posted on the town’s website at: www.townofwinchendon.com/home/news/now-soliciting-public-input-proposed-master-plan