Barrett Planning Group led the planning process for the Town of Longmeadow’s Climate Resilient Long-Range Plan (LRP). This 15-month project culminated in a visionary blueprint for Longmeadow’s development over the next ten to fifteen years.
Working with Longmeadow’s planning staff and the Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC), our team built on existing initiatives and studies while integrating new and innovative ideas for managing growth and change. The project involved extensive engagement with people from all walks of life in the community. Public participation was critical in developing this plan. We led numerous stakeholder interviews, designed and led community meetings, supported the Long-Range Plan Committee, and conducted a public survey, all of which promoted community dialogue and captured many perspectives.
We began with a qualitative analysis phase of the core components of a master plan—land use, transportation, natural resources, open space, housing, economic development, and community services. Longmeadow, however, took its Long-Range Plan beyond these core factors. The Town’s innovative approach identified sustainability, equity, and age-friendliness as key community planning themes. We incorporated them throughout the plan.
Sustainability – The Long-Range Plan focused on creating a community ready to withstand and adapt to climate conditions. It includes formal and informal measures that Town government, businesses, and residents can take to reduce the community’s carbon footprint. Together with our team members from BETA Group, we produced a long-range plan that analyzes Longmeadow’s capital improvements planning process and promotes a new approach with investments in climate change mitigation and resilience in mind.
Equity – We researched and discovered “hidden communities” in Longmeadow – populations not widely recognized, living or working outside mainstream Longmeadow with special needs for outreach and engagement. The Hidden Communities Analysis points to ways the Town can proactively invest in welcoming, engaging, and supporting people of all ages, incomes, and abilities.
Age-Friendliness—We helped Longmeadow’s Age-Friendly Task Force integrate an Age-Friendly action plan into the Long-Range Plan. Pioneer Valley Planning Commission also worked with us on this component.
The final plan includes policies and priorities for climate resilience, social equity, development and land use, municipal services, public health, education, housing, and other quality-of-life issues. It provides a detailed look at equity barriers in Longmeadow’s zoning and other bylaws and regulations. The Longmeadow Planning Board unanimously adopted the Climate Resilient Long-Range Plan in June 2024. In December 2024, the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-MA) gave Longmeadow’s Climate Resilient Long-Range Plan the 2024 Best Small-Town Planning Project Award.