Background
The Norfolk Master Plan was accepted by the Town in 1992 and was the culmination of a process of citizen surveys, citizen forums, and strategic meetings to review existing zoning and land use, population demographics, town budgets and planning programs. The 1992 Master Plan recommended rezoning for a Town Center Business District, a Highway Commercial District and for mixed uses for multi-family/age restricted housing and assisted living facilities within commercial land uses.
The Planning Board has appointed a small committee to assist in updating the Norfolk Master Plan. The Master Plan provides goals and objectives to assist the Town’s leaders in managing growth within the Town with a focus on economic development, open space, recreation, housing, natural resources, circulation, town facilities and town services. The Master Plan goals and objectives determine the “what and why” for town leaders to implement the “how and when.”
The Planning Board will request citizen input and involvement as it establishes revised goals and objectives for a 2007 updated Master Plan. There will be three citizen forums by precinct scheduled in September 2006 to discuss the entire master plan program. There will be a second citizen survey distributed this fall, which will further inform the Planning Board and other town leaders of citizen opinions on future growth over the next five to ten years. The Planning Board intends to present the updated master plan at the spring 2007 Town Meeting.
Accomplishments Since 1992
Zoning was created to establish multiple commercial districts along major highways of Route 1A and Route 115 with the Route 115- Holbrook Street commercial district development now approaching full build-out. A Town Center Business District was established and the Town created infrastructure to promote its development. Major retail development is proposed to begin construction in the Town Center in 2007.
Demographic Conditions – 2005 through 2015 Forecast
The Town residential population has grown from 8106 in 1991to 9477 in 2005 with residential housing units increasing from 2,584 in 1991 to 2800+ in 2005. The Town has approximately 3,000 acres of undeveloped residential land that could allow 2,000 additional homes and increase population by 8,000. Approximately 2% of Norfolk’s housing is designated as “affordable” with the state objective at 10%. The commercial-business districts of Town Center and Route 1A have a combined undeveloped area of 160 acres. A significant asset in the Town is its transit station providing rail service to and from Boston. The Town adopted the Community Preservation Act that uses 3% of citizen taxes plus State matching funds to acquire/preserve open space, inspire affordable housing and assist in preserving/maintaining historic
buildings/properties in Norfolk.
Citizen Survey
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