| Handouts, Presentations, and Materials from Previous HCI Workshops |
Below are handouts and presentations from training workshops sponsored by HCI. If you experience difficulty opening a file online, you may be able to open it if you save it to a disc or to your computer's hard drive. To save a file:
- on a PC, right-click on the link and choose "Save Target As...";
- on a Mac, drag the link onto your desktop
If you can't download the file or need a printed copy, contact HCI at 413/268-8219or highlands@ttor.org.
The 5 Town Action Intiative: Preserving the Character and Vitality of Village Centers (PDF- 9.9 MB) by HCI and the UMass Center for Rural Massachusetts
A summary of aspects of current zoning that influence the development of a village, an analysis of current zoning regulations in Chesterfield, Conway, Goshen and Williamsburg, a summary of innovative and alternative wastewater systems, and a collection of sample village zoning bylaws.
The 5 Town Action Intiative: Connecting People and Partners
by UMass Center for Rural Massachusetts and HCI
A guide to proactively prioritizing potential land conservation opportunities, as well as information about the town's right of first refusal under Ch. 61 and contact information for local land conservation organizations.
Connecting People and Partners (PDF-12,000 KB)
A Conservation Values Chart (PDF- 158 KB)
A Conservation Worksheet (PDF- 124 KB)
The Path to Protecting Country Roads (PDF- 23K)
Prepared by attorney Alexandra Dawson for HCI's Rural Road Seminar (April 3, 2004)
Five page discussion of how roads are classified, engineering standards for roads, and the procedure by which roads are selected for state and federally funded maintenance and improvement.
Preparing For Growth through Alternative Subdivisions
Prepared by Joel Russell, Land Use Attorney
Planning Vibrant Villages (Power Point - 84K)
Prepared by Denis Superczynski, Senior Planner, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (February 4, 2004)
Steps for identifying and establishing a village center district, and strategies for enhancing existing villages.
Introduction to Fundraising and Grantwriting
Prepared by Kimberly Longey, former Executive Director of the Hilltown Community Development Corporation(December 11, 2003)
The basics of how to approach donors and hold fundraising events, where to find applicable grants and how to write a successful proposal.
Mapping on the Internet (PDF - 75K)
Prepared by Vin Antil, the Trustees of Reservations (November 17, 2003)
A list of links to GIS mapping sites on the internet.
Is a Growth Cap Right for Our Town? (PDF - 100K)
Prepared by Jeanne Armstrong of LandUse Inc. (November 12, 2003)
One-page summary: what a growth cap bylaw does and doesn't do, and what to consider when drafting one.
Planning and Zoning Basics (PowerPoint - 3M)
Prepared by Wayne Feiden, Planning Director for the City of Northampton (June 16, 2003)
An overview of the fundamental concepts and processes that planning and zoning boards face: a brief history of zoning, how uses are regulated through zoning, and the subdivision process.
Affordable Housing For Small Towns(PowerPoint - 105K)
Prepared by Paul Douglas of the Franklin County Regional Housing & Redevelopment Authority and Tracy Zafian of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (June 9, 2003)
Information about affordable housing under Chapter 40B and Executive Order 418, as well as some recommended zoning strategies for increasing a community's stock of affordable housing.
An additional power point presentation with many images of existing affordable housing throughout Franklin County is too large to post on the internet. If you'd like a copy, please contact HCI at 413/268-8219 or highlands@ttor.org.
Zoning Reform In Massachusetts
Prepared by Jeff Lacy of Massachusetts Zoning Reform Working Group (May 28, 2003)
The Zoning Reform Working Group's website www.masszoningreform.org includes the text of the Land Use Reform Act, a summary of the bill, and working papers describing the zoning reform effort.
Making Historic Preservation Work For Your Town
Prepared by Chris Skelly of Massachusetts Historic Commission (April 22 & May 21, 2003)
Passing Your Initiative At Town Meeting (PowerPoint - 145K)
Prepared by Gisela Walker of the Citizen Planner Training Collaborative (February 4, 2003)
Tips and suggestions for creating a successful campaign and navigating the town meeting process.
Updating Zoning By-Laws (PDF - 1M)
Prepared by Peggy Sloan of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (October 16, 2002)
Two pages describing seven growth management bylaws that communities can adopt to preserve their rural character.
Streamlining the Work of Conservation Commissions
Prepared by Gloria McPherson, Northampton Planning Department
Two forms the Northampton Conservation Commission uses to facilitate the submittal of applications and to ensure that site plans contain needed information.
The New Road in Town-Introduction to Reviewing Subdivision Road Plans (Word - 3.6MB)
Prepared by Daniel Dulaski, P.E., former Amherst Town Engineer (November 9, 2004)
Familiarize yourself with engineering terms that influence design such as sightlines, road cross-sections and design speed, and safe and appropriate road widths for rural environments.
Designing Subdivision Roads (PDF- 1 MB)
Provided by Daniel Dulaski, P.E., former Amherst Town Engineer (April 1, 2006)
Essential standard measurements for vehicle and road widths, turning radii and design speeds--the basics for designing roads that fit projected uses and traffic.
Fire Department Access Information Manual (Colorado Springs) (PDF- 85 K)
Provided by Daniel Dulaski, P.E., former Amherst Town Engineer (April 1, 2006)
The Colorado Springs Fire Department's standards for designing roads providing access for firefighting equipment, covering suitable road widths, grades, and traffic calming devices.
Subdivision Regulations-Small Changes That Make a Big Difference (PDF - 4.5MB)
Prepared by Wayne Feiden, Director of Planning and Development for Northampton (December 7, 2004)
Learn what should be in subdivision regulations to make the Planning Board's job easier and make regulations effective. Outdated subdivision regulations can be changed by a hearing and planning board vote, but do not go to town meeting.
HCI has conducted two surveys of municipal board members to obtain a sense of their needs, interests, and desires for training sessions, in Summer 2002 and Spring 2005. These are the results: