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The Stephen Palmer School Project

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

The Town of Needham is working with Barrett Planning Group and Gamble Associates to explore future uses for the Stephen Palmer Property, a former elementary school that was converted to multifamily senior apartments almost 50 years ago. The apartment building is managed by a private developer under a ground lease with the Town of Needham. Since the lease expires in 2027, the Town is considering options for repurposing the site.

Originally purchased by the Town of Needham in 1912, the property was developed as an elementary school in 1915. The school expanded to meet enrollment needs in 1930 and continued to operate until 1975. In 1977, the Town entered into a 50-year ground lease agreement with the current property management company to renovate the school as senior apartments, with space for the Town’s Council on Aging and Senior Center in the basement. As the end date for the current lease approaches, Needham must decide what is next for the property.

This planning process, led by Barrett Planning Group is intended to guide the process for determining the potential future uses on the site, including but not limited to preservation, open space, adaptive reuse, demolition, or new construction. The plan will answer questions like, should the site’s history as a school be preserved? What is feasible given site and market constraints? What future uses could meet the needs of the Needham community?

The project will include an analysis of site constraints and opportunities, three future land use scenarios, and one preferred future land use scenario for the site. Throughout the project, there will be a community engagement process that includes a project website with online engagement tools, three community meetings, and monthly steering committee meetings. The project will result in a vision plan for the future of the Stephen Palmer Property.

A Roadmap for Growth: Inside Attleboro’s Route 1/1A Corridor Study and Sturdy Neighborhood Plan

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

The City of Attleboro collaborated with Barrett Planning Group in 2025 to create a long-term plan for the Route 1/1A Corridor. This initiative focused on guiding future development, land use, and infrastructure enhancements along these key commercial roads.  Concurrently, MassDevelopment and the City of Attleboro engaged Barrett Planning Group and Horsley Witten Group to assess the neighborhood surrounding Sturdy Memorial Hospital and create a neighborhood improvement plan to support residents alongside the hospital’s growth. Together, these plans aim to improve mobility, safety, and economic vitality for the community.

The City of Attleboro’s Route 1/1A Corridor Study included a thorough review of past planning efforts, analysis of current City regulations and zoning, and community engagement efforts to understand the City’s future vision for the Study Area. Led by Barrett Planning Group’s Brenna Trollinger, AICP, the project provided an analysis of transportation and circulation patterns, multimodal transportation infrastructure, economic development and employment, environmental conditions, and land use within the Study Area. Community engagement included a meeting with neighborhood residents to hear about their needs and co-create a vision for the area’s future, a focus group with municipal staff, and a community survey. Ultimately, specific recommendations were made for zoning changes, infrastructure and public realm improvements, and economic development strategies to promote redevelopment and implementation. We are pleased to announce that the Plan received the 2025 Transportation and Mobility Planning Award from the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association in December 2025. 

At the same time, a partnership between MassDevelopment, the City of Attleboro, Barrett Planning Group, and Horsley Witten Group resulted in a comprehensive evaluation of the neighborhood surrounding Sturdy Memorial Hospital. Horsley Witten Group completed detailed environmental assessments for two potential redevelopment sites, while Barrett Planning Group led an extensive community engagement process to identify needs, challenges, and priorities. The teams worked closely with a neighborhood working group, conducted interviews and surveys, visited local businesses and institutions, and hosted a public meeting to refine strategies for neighborhood improvements while accommodating the hospital’s future needs. The project team shared the plan through an interactive and accessible ArcGIS StoryMaps presentation to communicate the plan to the public and further promote community involvement. The interactive StoryMap showcasing the plan can be viewed at https://arcg.is/0GHrjz1.

The resulting plans for both projects provide a roadmap for the City to make these neighborhoods more welcoming, walkable, and affordable, while strengthening it as a hub for healthcare and a thriving local economy.

Spotlight on Keene, NH – Project Update!

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

The City of Keene, New Hampshire, has engaged Barrett Planning Group to develop new ways to use property tax incentives to encourage housing growth. Having used New Hampshire’s 79-E Community Revitalization Tax Relief Incentive Program to spur investment in Downtown Keene, the City wants to put two new 79-E housing incentives to work to develop more housing in and around the downtown area. This forward-thinking effort aims to support Keene’s community and economic development goals and help implement the City’s comprehensive plan. This project is a natural fit for Barrett Planning Group because we wrote the RSA 79-E Guidebook for New Hampshire Housing in 2024.

With an InvestNH Housing Opportunity Program (HOP) grant from the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs, Keene wants to use the new features of RSA 79E to attract investment and unlock new development opportunities. Our work began in June 2025 and will formally kick off with a public workshop for the City Council in September. The workshop will cover both short-term and long-term tax implications, review current district boundaries, and explore how establishing a Housing Opportunity Zone or Residential Property Revitalization Zone could support more housing development in the community.

Additionally, we will meet with developers and investors to understand their goals and assess how the 79-E Program could align with and support their projects. Building on research we conducted for New Hampshire Housing in 2023, we will also look at what other communities, 79-E communities, are doing, compile effective practices, and develop recommendations tailored for Keene. Based on our findings, we will draft an initial resolution outlining the new program framework. The draft will incorporate feedback from City staff and include details such as project eligibility criteria, the duration of tax assessment relief, and a proposed district boundary map.

We will also host a public meeting to gather feedback from elected officials, developers, and other community stakeholders on the draft regulations and boundaries. We will finalize the resolution and present it to the City Council Committee using this input. In addition, to support successful implementation, we will develop an application form and user-friendly guidance materials to help City staff promote the program and assist both applicants and administrative staff through the process. Working on this initiative will be a memorable highlight for the Barrett team in 2025! We are excited to help Keene drive its revitalization efforts and provide for new housing.

Project Update January 2026:

Based on work throughout this project, the City of Keene is moving forward with a new Residential Property Revitalization Zone program – one of the first of its kind in New Hampshire. With input from City Council, focus groups, and interviews, the project team drafted a resolution to expand the boundaries of Keene’s existing RSA 79-E downtown revitalization zone and establish a Residential Property Revitalization Zone (RPRZ).

Under the RPRZ, property owners with qualifying structures can apply for temporary tax relief to significantly improve their homes. Keene has established specific public benefit requirements for this program, including the creation or preservation of housing units (especially creation of accessory dwelling units), promoting owner-occupancy, net-zero energy, climate resilience, and remediation. The goal of the RPRZ program is to revitalize existing housing stock by providing temporary tax relief for renovation projects that significantly improve qualifying residential structures.

The resolution was unanimously adopted by the City Council on December 18, 2025.

If our experience with planning and incentives for housing development could benefit your community, we would love to connect! Contact us at: bpg@barrettplanningllc.com

Berlin Launches Zoning Ordinance Update

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

The City of Berlin, New Hampshire, is taking a big step toward modernizing its Zoning Ordinance, thanks to support from NH Housing’s InVestNH Municipal Planning Grants, Housing Opportunity Program (HOP). Building on the 2022 Master Plan and Barrett Planning Group’s comprehensive review of local land use regulations in 2023-2024, the City is embarking on a full “soup-to-nuts” rewrite of the ordinance. The goal is a clear, housing-focused zoning ordinance that residents and developers alike can easily understand and use.

This next step builds directly on the work completed through the first round of HOP funding, where Barrett Planning Group led a robust process that included extensive community engagement and input. Our team spent significant time with the City’s ordinance and identified a wide range of opportunities for improvement. With that foundation, the City is moving forward with several of our recommendations and turning them into action. Rather than making piecemeal changes, the City is starting fresh, and Barrett Planning Group is pleased to continue guiding the process.

With the Berlin Planning Department and Planning Board at the helm, the City kicked off the zoning ordinance rewrite in July and held a public information meeting led by Barrett Planning Group in October. A key priority is ensuring residents see their community and neighborhoods reflected in the new ordinance. To get there, community voices will play an essential role.

The community engagement plan includes a citywide survey and small focus groups facilitated by Barrett Planning Group from December 2025 through February 2026, along with frequent meetings with the Planning Board. These conversations will give residents, business owners, developers, and others a chance to share valuable, on-the-ground perspectives to help make a better ordinance. Judi Barrett, our lead planner for Berlin’s Zoning Ordinance, will integrate public feedback, advice from City staff, and direction from the Planning Board into the full zoning rewrite. The project will wrap up with a public presentation of the revised Zoning Ordinance in May 2026.

From Plymouth to Portland: Fall Conferences Ahead

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

Fall isn’t just about cooler air, colorful leaves, and back-to-school routines! It also kicks off conference season. After the looser rhythms of summer, this is the time when planners and allied professionals across the field dive back in and sharpen skills, earn credits, and reconnect with colleagues across the region. This year’s lineup offers plenty of opportunities to recharge our professional toolkit, and you’ll see various Barrett Planning Group team members at several conferences this fall.

Mark your calendars for October 16—the Blue Future Conference, hosted by the Plymouth Foundation, will take place in Plymouth, Massachusetts! This conference is a launchpad for fresh ideas, bold innovation, and partnerships that are driving the region’s marine economy forward. Attendees will have the chance to connect, learn, and contribute to Plymouth’s leadership in the growing and diversifying the blue economy. We’re proud to share that Barrett Planning Group’s own Fiona Gain will moderate the Climate Resilience Panel, leading a conversation with renowned scientist, inventor, and TV personality Bill Nye, alongside Boston’s Chief Climate Officer Brian Swett. Fiona looks forward to a conversation that “acknowledges the scale and intersection of resiliency that can support coastal communities.” You’ll also spot other members of our team at the event—be sure to say hello to Fiona, Laurel, Lily, Meredith, and Tony when you see them there!

Also on October 16, Judi will be at the annual NH Housing and Economy Conference, sponsored by NH Housing and held in Concord. This year’s conference features keynote speaker Kyla Scanlon, author, educator, economic commentator, and host of the “Let’s Appreciate” podcast. Panel presentations will address local initiatives for housing growth and housing success stories from local officials and non-profit housing organizations. It’s always an excellent, well-attended program.

On October 17, Jenn will be in Barre, VT for the Vermont Division of Historic Preservation training for historians and architectural historians. Jenn is doing a great job enriching our planning practice and we’re thrilled she’ll be representing us in Vermont. And, on October 28, Brenna and Laurel will be in Falmouth for the Northeast Arc User Group conference.

Get ready—Portland, Maine will be buzzing with planners this fall as the Northern New England Chapter of the American Planning Association (NNECAPA) hosts its 2025 Conference from November 3–5. This three-day gathering is all about sharing ideas, sparking collaboration, and building connections with tri-state colleagues from New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine (though many Massachusetts planners attend, too!). Barrett Planning Group is thrilled to be a Platinum Sustaining Sponsor for NNECAPA, and we look forward to diving into conversations, exploring new partnerships, and celebrating the power of planning to shape our communities. You’ll find team members Judi, Brenna, and Lily on the ground—so don’t miss the chance to connect and say hello!

Right on the heels of NNECAPA comes the Southern New England American Planning Association (SNEAPA) Conference, November 6–7 in Newport, RI. This is one of the region’s biggest planning events, drawing more than 500 planners, engineers, architects, students, and other professionals for two packed days of learning, networking, and collaboration. The program has something for everyone—keynote speaker Keith W. Stokes, interactive sessions, mobile workshops, and presentations on planning law and ethics. It’s also a fantastic opportunity to earn valuable AICP CMs credits while staying on top of emerging trends in the field. Barrett Planning Group is proud to be a sponsor again this year, and we’ll be right in the middle of the action with our booth. Be sure to stop by and connect with Judi, Jill, and Tony—we can’t wait to see you there!

Skipping ahead to December, Barrett Planning Group will be at the National Community Development Association’s (NCDA) Region 1 Conference in New Bedford on December 2. NCDA has a special place in Judi Barrett’s heart because she launched her planning career as Plymouth’s (MA) Community Development Director decades ago. NCDA does a great job providing CDBG/HOME training and technical assistance resources and advocating for these critically important federal programs. We’re thrilled to sponsor NCDA, and we’ll be at our exhibit table, talking to CDBG/HOME grantees about our work in Consolidated Planning, program design, and grant management troubleshooting.

Gardner’s First Master Plan in 50 Years

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

Since Spring 2025, Barrett Planning Group and partner BSC Group have worked with the City of Gardner to update the City’s master plan. Supported by a Community Planning Grant from the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), Gardner’s new master plan will be its first in nearly 50 years – the last was completed in 1975!

Known as the “Chair City” for its prominence in the furniture industry from the late nineteenth century through the later twentieth century, Gardner has been an enjoyable community to work with. Residents value their city and the strong sense of community that connects them. The city has abundant natural resources, anchored by Crystal Lake in the center, Dunn State Park, and numerous open space parcels that cover nearly a third of the city’s land area. Historic resources abound from all periods of the community’s development, giving distinct character to the city. A bustling downtown and numerous social service organizations support and provide for residents.

Before embarking on this master plan, the City was already looking to the future and is positioned well with several key tools and features at its disposal. CDBG funds have supported redevelopment in the downtown area, with the City spearheading the Rear Main project. City officials hope parking and public real improvements will entice a private developer to tackle some of the larger parcels nearby. Commercial spaces cluster along Timpany Boulevard, redeveloped and improved in recent years. And facilities such as Heywood Hospital, an independent community hospital, serve not only Gardner residents but those in the surrounding communities.

Barrett Planning Group and BSC Group have been out in the community for the past several months. Public engagement efforts have included a coffee hour for downtown business owners and social service organizations; a community visioning workshop; and tabling at some of the beloved community events, the Gardner Public Library’s summer reading kickoff and National Night Out. These in-person events have been supported by an online survey and Social Pinpoint project website, which allows for asynchronous participation from residents and community members.

The planning team is currently working with the City to home in on the key issues affecting Gardner now and over the next 20 years and is looking ahead to develop goals, recommendations, and an action plan before wrapping up our work this winter.

Strength in Numbers: Regional Solutions for Affordable Housing

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

Barrett Planning Group takes great pride assisting cities and towns with all aspects of affordable housing. Our team recognizes that a municipality’s role in this important work extends beyond land use planning, zoning, and permitting; ensuring the continued affordability of units created through such efforts is equally critical. As such, we’re pleased to announce two important regional housing services projects to assist communities with these responsibilities: the launch of the Barnstable County Shared Regional Housing Services (BCSRHS) program, which follows a successful two-year pilot led by BPG Principal Planner Alexis Lanzillotta; and our work with the Metro North Regional Housing Services Office (MNRHSO) providing affordable housing and monitoring consultant services to seven member communities. We are excited to collaborate with Liz Rust, Director of the Regional Housing Services Office (RHSO), on both projects, as well as the regional nonprofit organization Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) for our engagement with Barnstable County. 

Many affordable housing responsibilities fall on municipalities, putting enormous strain on local staff capacity. Due to complex regulatory requirements tied to affordable housing programs and the range of unique or project-specific circumstances that can occur, overseeing the local supply of deed-restricted affordable housing often requires significant staff time and technical expertise. “Having a solid understanding of these pieces is especially important for communities pursuing local housing initiatives such as inclusionary zoning or locally funded housing programs intended to create units eligible for the state’s Subsidized Housing Inventory,” says Alexis.

Barrett Planning Group is proud to support Barnstable County in advancing its Shared Regional Housing Services program. In keeping with the Cape’s strong history of regional collaboration, the County supported the launch of a shared housing services pilot program in 2023 through an allocation of its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Our team was selected to develop and implement the two-year pilot program, during which time we created a countywide Affordable Housing Database for Town staff to track both affordable developments and over 7,100 Subsidized Housing Inventory units across Barnstable County. As Alisa Zimmerman from Barrett Planning Group explains, “Building the countywide database was an enormous undertaking, and one that is still ongoing. We spent countless hours combing through town registries, property by property, to track down affordable units. It was painstaking, but essential work—without a complete and accurate inventory, towns can’t protect their housing stock or effectively plan for the future.” Additional work included developing a Program Implementation Plan; building a regional stakeholder contact list; researching and reporting on a range of topics including short term rentals, housing market data, affordable housing trusts across the region; drafting model documents and templates; holding regular office hours with municipal staff; and providing each community with direct technical assistance tailored to their individual needs.

Following this successful pilot, Barnstable County will continue to administer the program with funding commitments from nearly all of the towns. Our team was selected to lead this next phase, and we are thrilled to team up with Liz Rust (Director, Regional Housing Services Office) and renowned regional housing nonprofit Housing Assistance Corporation. In addition to offering local and regional technical assistance, resources, and training, our team will be assisting communities monitor projects for which they are directly responsible (such as Local Initiative Projects) and providing general SHI oversight.

For our engagement with the Metro North Regional Housing Services Office (MNRHSO) — led by the Town of Reading — we are again teaming up with Liz Rust. We will assist the MNRHO’s seven member communities by updating and maintaining a reliable, shared housing inventory; providing monitoring services; and offering general technical assistance to aid in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Shared regional housing service programs are more than just an efficiency measure—they are essential for ensuring that every community, no matter its size, has the tools and expertise to preserve affordability, support residents, and plan for future housing needs in a collaborative manner. By working together, municipalities can take on challenges that would be overwhelming alone, while building stronger, more resilient housing systems for the region. Shared service programming can offer communities the capacity, consistency, and expertise needed to preserve affordability, strengthen housing production, and better serve residents.

Barnstable’s Local Comprehensive Plan Update

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

We love it when our client partnerships evolve and grow, and our continued collaboration with the Town of Barnstable is a great example. We are proud to have partnered with Barnstable and our colleagues at Horsley Witten Group and Dodson & Flinker to support the Town’s 2025 Local Comprehensive Plan (LCP) process. This three-year, community-driven planning effort was guided by the Local Comprehensive Planning Committee (LCPC), a dedicated group of resident volunteers appointed to shape Barnstable’s future.

Barrett Planning Group played an important role in facilitating the planning process by leading an extensive research process to develop the LCP’s core components, making public presentations, and working closely with Town staff. We helped to design and implement an effective, well-received public engagement strategy that produced over 2,000 comments from residents, businesses, and stakeholders. Together with the Department of Planning and Development and the LCPC, we supported the creation of an effective planning framework grounded in local values and driven by community input.

The result: a well-crafted vision sensitive to Barnstable’s needs and aspirations and strategies to address resilience, housing needs, land use, infrastructure, and protection of coastal and inland waters while preserving the character of Barnstable’s unique villages. The new LCP outlines clear goals, actions, and performance measures that will help guide the Town’s future development, resource allocation, and policy decisions.

We are honored to have contributed to a plan that supports a prosperous future for Barnstable. Approved by the LCPC in May 2025, the Barnstable Town Council unanimously approved the plan in early September 2025. As a final step, the LCP will proceed to the Cape Cod Commission for Certification. 

Does your community need a trusted, experienced partner for a comprehensive plan or master plan project? Please let us know! We encourage you to contact jill@barrettplanningllc.com.

Planning for Amherst’s Housing Future

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

In Spring 2024, the Town of Amherst, Massachusetts, hired Barrett Planning Group to create a new Housing Production Plan that exceeds state requirements and reflects the unique dynamics of Amherst’s housing market. This Plan serves as a roadmap for future housing development, preservation, programs, and policy decisions. Over the past year, we collaborated with Town staff and the Affordable Housing Trust to develop a comprehensive, data-driven plan that includes a Housing Needs Analysis, an assessment of development barriers and opportunities, and clearly defined goals and feasible strategies.

Amherst’s last Housing Production Plan was adopted in 2013 and was followed shortly thereafter by a housing market analysis. Since then, the Town has made meaningful strides to support both market-rate and affordable housing. To build on that momentum, we collaborated with Town staff over the past year to develop a new, comprehensive, data-rich plan.

Our analysis drew from public and private data sources to assess Amherst’s current housing stock and housing market conditions and forecast future needs. We explored housing challenges faced by a wide range of residents: college students and employees, seniors, young families, people with disabilities, immigrants, and essential workers. We also examined zoning policies, development barriers, time-to-occupancy metrics, and homelessness data from local service providers.

Community input played a vital role. We held public forums, conducted a town-wide online survey, and facilitated focus groups with key stakeholders, including human service providers, educators, business leaders, and student advocates. Their insights shaped the housing goals and strategies outlined in the plan, which address a variety of housing types—from single-family homes and rentals to condos and senior living options. We also identified priority development sites and zoning districts to support these initiatives. In addition, we expanded our engagement process to make room for a talented UMass-Amherst graduate student, her professor, and her colleagues to conduct a scenario planning process for housing development. 

The Planning Board and the Town Council approved the Plan in December 2025. This Plan equips Amherst with the tools and vision to meet its evolving housing needs and remain inclusive, affordable, and resilient for years.

Town of Lee Historic Properties Survey

Posted on by alisa@barrettplanningllc.com

We are thrilled to share some exciting news from Barrett Planning Group! With the recent addition of Jennifer Doherty, Preservation Planner to our team, we have begun offering a range of Historic Preservation services. What better way to kick things off than by partnering with the Town of Lee, Massachusetts, on an historic resources survey project. Thanks to Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, this project will focus on Lee’s Little Italy neighborhood. Located south of Lee’s historic downtown, Little Italy was settled in the early twentieth century by Italian immigrants coming to work at a nearby marble quarry.

Southern Berkshire County had several active quarries during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Marble quarries in Lee contributed stone to prominent buildings around the country, including the Washington Monument, the U.S. Capitol, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The quarries attracted Italian immigrants who had worked with stone in their native land.

As in many Massachusetts communities, the Lee Historical Commission began documenting the Town’s historic resources on Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) inventory forms in the 1960s. Lee’s initial survey efforts were “wide but shallow” – major historic resources such as public buildings and the Town’s oldest and best-preserved buildings were documented, but often with very little information about the role of the historic resource in the community. Early researchers also lacked the easy access to documentary records that the Internet provides researchers today.

More recently, the Lee Historical Commission has been revisiting its previous survey. Barrett Planning Group’s work in the Little Italy neighborhood represents a second phase of this effort. Currently, the area has almost no inventory forms on record. The neighborhood features a mix of single- and multi-family houses, many of which have undergone maintenance-related changes such as replacement siding and windows. However, due to minimal infill development, the area reflects its historic early-twentieth-century character. Conversations with residents also revealed the loss of at least two small neighborhood stores, further highlighting the importance of documenting the area’s history.

Barrett Planning Group will prepare new Massachusetts Historical Commission inventory forms for the Little Italy area, with a focus on the residents who made the neighborhood a community. We will also review resources for potential listing in the National Register of Historic Places so the Lee Historical Commission can make well-informed decisions about protection options in the future. This project is an exciting step toward preserving the unique character of Lee and we are delighted to be part of it.

If your community could benefit from our expertise in preservation planning, please contact Jenn Doherty, jenn@barrettplanningllc.com.