Comprehensive Plan Framework - 2017-11-20

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Comprehensive Plan Framework Summary For Transmission_2017-11-20 Revised:May 24, 2017 2.1.. Buildout Analysis The buildout analysis is a key component for understanding where the Town is, in terms of current land uses, and how those uses and patterns could possible change, grow, and develop over the next decade. Several recent and potential developments have brought to light the fact that many Lexingtonians had thought the town had little in the way of potential development. Preliminary analysis from the Planning Office has shown that the town may not encounter"full build-out"for many decades to come. In order to plan for this potential growth, we need a better understanding, both spatially and temporally, of growth areas. 2.2. Socio-Economic& Demographic Reports In concert with the Community Education& Engagement Plan, producing reports outlining the community's statistical profile is key to ensuring that participants in the process have a solid understanding of the numbers that describe the Town. Envisioned for this aspect of the process area community profile report covering general demographics, income, labor force and employment,transportation, land use, and housing. The report can serve as both a general introduction to the make-up of the Town's population and as a reference document. This task will also include a housing market profile, providing information on market rate housing sales costs, rents, as well as affordability indexes. 2.3. Public Facilities and Financial Analysis Understanding and disseminating all aspects affecting the tax base and the effects felt by a potential, even modest, increase in growth is another key to understanding the future land use and physical development in Lexington. Clearly, having an outstanding educational system affects both the tax base, in funding those facilities,and the desire for the limited resource that is housing in Lexington. We need to understand the interplay between these resources and the competition for them, both within the Town's borders and externally,to inform future growth and a vision for Lexington over the next five to ten years. 2.4. Prior Study Review Various products, in the form of demographic studies,transportation analysis, and other socio- economic factors are considered when developing a comprehensive plan.The State of Massachusetts requires several of these items, and more,to be included in any comprehensive plan that seeks to comply with the State's standards. However, as Massachusetts is an unplanned state, it is not necessary to comply with all of the requirements laid out by the State.The products that come out of this analysis will inform the overall vision created through this process by explaining,through a thorough and rigorous analysis,the current state of affairs within the town.These elements have the potential to respond to questions on the past and current demographic make-up of the town, economic realities within the town and the broader region, etc., in a rational and factual manner. The analysis will also contribute to a broader understanding of where Lexington is in the Greater Boston region and the wider world. Understanding the influence of these otherwise uncontrollable areas of the globe and how they impactthe physical development within Lexington is yet another, but not an unimportant factor, in preparing for future growth in Town. 2 Of to-