CZM Coastal Smart Growth Publications/Bylaws

CZM has produced, funded, or worked with others to produce the following publications and tools to promote the implementation of real-world growth management techniques that protect coastal resources. See the Coastal Smart Growth Links and Additional Resources page for links to additional information on these and other Coastal Smart Growth topics.

General Smart Growth

• Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Smart Growth Toolkit, which provides online access to information on 12 different "smart growth" planning, zoning, and subdivision techniques. This site also includes a listing of upcoming smart growth workshops.

Coastal Development

• An Assessment of Resource Management Strategies in the Parker River/Essex Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern, which reviews zoning bylaws, planning board regulations, and wetland bylaws in Newbury, Rowley, Ipswich, Essex, and Gloucester.

Green Neighborhoods/Open Space Residential Design (OSRD)

• Open Space Residential Development Model Bylaw (PDF, 284 KB) from the Massachusetts Smart Growth Toolkit, which includes a Low Impact Development component.
• OSRD Model Site Plan Bylaw (PDF, 232 KB), which was developed by the Green Neighborhoods Alliance and allows the developer to use OSRD "by-right" but does not allow for the use of density bonuses.
• Model Site Plan Rules and Regulations for OSRD Model Bylaw (PDF, 99 KB), which were developed by the Green Neighborhoods Alliance to be used with the OSRD Model Site Plan Bylaw.
• OSRD or Conservation Subdivision Design Model Bylaw - Special Permit (PDF, 39 KB), which was developed by the Green Neighborhoods Alliance and allows the Planning Board to grant OSRD by special permit and includes a density bonus option.
• OSRD or Conservation Subdivision Design Model Rules and Regulations - Special Permit (PDF, 14 KB), which were developed by the Green Neighborhoods Alliance to be used with the OSRD Model Bylaw - Special Permit.
• Green Neighborhoods: Open Space Residential Design (PDF, 4.5 MB), a brochure explaining the benefits of OSRD.

Low Impact Development (LID)

• Low Impact Development Model Bylaw (PDF, 1.72 MB) from the Massachusetts Smart Growth Toolkit.
• Site Design Guidance - The key to successful LID is to begin with effective site design. The Practice of Low Impact Development provides important details about this LID practice. (PDF, 2 MB)
• Case studies of LID initiatives and progress in Massachusetts cities and towns. Case studies have been completed for the following communities:
  • Tyngsborough (PDF, 7.4 MB)
  • Boston (PDF, 2.2 MB)
  • Cohasset (PDF, 1.5 MB)
  • Franklin (PDF, 5 MB)
• Urban Stormwater Management Guidebook (PDF, 6.35 MB) developed by the city of Salem to assist residents, designers, and contractors with meeting the requirements of the city's Stormwater and LID Ordinance.
• Vegetated Buffers Fact Sheet, a web-based fact sheet on using natural strips of vegetation to reduce stormwater impacts.