Department of Planning & Development
Mission
The Department of Planning & Development has three divisions in which to serve the public. The Planning Division is involved in long range planning such as Comprehensive Plan implementation, special projects like Zoning Bylaw updates, and specific plans for target areas. The Economic Development Division carries out the economic development policies of the Town including conducting economic studies, marketing efforts, acting as support staff to the Industrial Development Finance Authority (IDFA), and special projects. The Community Development Division is responsible for administering the Community Development Block Grant program including the Housing Rehabilitation Program, the Commercial Rehabilitation Program, and other special programs.
Divisions
• Planning (P)
• Economic Development (ED)
• Community Development (CD)
Boards & Commissions Served:
• Planning Board
• Zoning Appeals Board
• Conservation Comm
• Energy Committee
• Exped IDFA
Contact
978-772-8206 (P)
978-772-8206 (ED)
978-772-8221 (CD)
Email
Hours
See Divisions
The Department of Planning & Development has three divisions in which to serve the public. The Planning Division is involved in long range planning such as Comprehensive Plan implementation, special projects like Zoning Bylaw updates, and specific plans for target areas. The Economic Development Division carries out the economic development policies of the Town including conducting economic studies, marketing efforts, acting as support staff to the Industrial Development Finance Authority (IDFA), and special projects. The Community Development Division is responsible for administering the Community Development Block Grant program including the Housing Rehabilitation Program, the Commercial Rehabilitation Program, and other special programs.
Divisions
• Planning (P)
• Economic Development (ED)
• Community Development (CD)
Boards & Commissions Served:
• Planning Board
• Zoning Appeals Board
• Conservation Comm
• Energy Committee
• Exped IDFA
Contact
978-772-8206 (P)
978-772-8206 (ED)
978-772-8221 (CD)
Hours
See Divisions
Announcements
Newsletter Goes Quarterly
The DPD newsletter REVIEW is officially going quarterly. The idea is that most projects do not have enough progress made on a monthly basis. It was felt that a quarterly could provide a wider range of reported updates plus interesting articles on this basis. Please also feel free to send in questions and comments and we'll get most of them in if they raise a issue of broader interest.
Departmental Organization
Newsletter Goes Quarterly
The DPD newsletter REVIEW is officially going quarterly. The idea is that most projects do not have enough progress made on a monthly basis. It was felt that a quarterly could provide a wider range of reported updates plus interesting articles on this basis. Please also feel free to send in questions and comments and we'll get most of them in if they raise a issue of broader interest.
Departmental Organization
Files
Downtown Parking Facility Design Workshop
On Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 7:00 p.m., the Town's Planning & Development Department sponsored a design workshop for citizens to view preliminary designs and make comments and suggestions about final designs. Moderated by May 2007 Charette facilitator Ms. Chris Klutchman, the meeting was well attended by over 35 people and included a breakout session after the presentation by Mr. Steve Cecil of The Cecil Group of Boston. Attendees were asked to provide comments by filling out comment slips or placing post-it notes on the schematic designs. There was a short question and answer period following the presentation and people were encouraged to view the plans online (pdf files) and submit comments through the end of next week.
Please download Parts I and II of the PowerPoint slide show containing the prelminary designs below:
Design Workshop Powerpoint Slideshow, Part 1 (pdf file - 3.32MB)
Design Workshop Powerpoint Slideshow, Part 2 (pdf file - 2.96MB)
Over the next week, we will be posting the feedback from the meeting. If you want to make a comment, please send an e-mail to dpd@ayer.ma.us or drop by the Planning & Development office and pick up a comment card and submit anonymously.
Zoning Bylaw Amendments Proposed for Spring 2009
Please visit the Long Range Planning Division page for more information on pending Zoning Bylaw amendments proposed for Spring Town Meeting 2009. These include 1) the zoning map, 2) the Downtown Business (DB) zoning district, and 3) the bylaw reorganization project.
IDFA Site is Available
Please take a look at the recently created website for the Ayer Industrial Development Finance Authority. The IDFA offers five distinctive loan products available for all types of businesses interested in locating to or expanding in Ayer.
Parking Task Force
The Downtown Parking Task Force formed in January of 2007 is currently dormant but awaits the release of earmarked funds. When this occurs, the Task Force will be closely involved in the design phase of the project. For more information, please contact us at 978-772-8208.
Ayer's Comprehensive Plan
Progress in carrying out the Comprehensive Plan is currently under the stewardship of the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee (CPIC). All CPIC meetings are posted and open to the public. For a schedule of their meetings, please see link at upper right of page.