What is a Master Plan?

A Master Plan tells a community what it looks like today and what direction it has decided it wants to go for the future; it includes assessments of existing resources and issues, projections of future conditions and needs, and consideration of collective goals and desires is a policy guide and provides a framework for the physical development of the municipality. While the emphasis is on buildings and infrastructure, it reinforces the important social and economic values of the community. The master plan is a method of translating the community's values into specific actions covers a time frame of about 10-20 years; it is assumed that shorter-term reviews will keep it current with the changing needs of the community is closely integrated with other municipal planning documents and initiatives. For example in Sturbridge, the 2008 Housing Plan, will be considered as part of this planning process. The Master Plan is NOT a zoning by-law, a subdivision regulation, a budget, a capital improvement program or other regulatory document. It is meant to be the basis for the preparation of these elements.