Walpole Economic Development Study - Commercial & Industrial Focus

Project Description and Context:

This project's focus is to re-evaluate Walpole's commercial and industrial zoned land.  This economic development study aims to analyze whether current zoning districts and bylaws are consistent with today’s land uses and the town’s needs and goals.  The Town also seeks to evaluate whether the locations of certain zoning districts are appropriately located in connection with existing residential property and environmentally sensitive locations.  As Walpole has developed, some locations that once served industrial or commercial purposes have become underutilized given the changes in the local economy. In Walpole's case, while many of the larger manufacturers are long gone, the land they were located on is still zoned for uses that are either no longer utilized or no longer practical for the location. This would primarily be within East Walpole, South Walpole, and Downtown Walpole. In these locations, there is commercial or industrial zoned land that is surrounded by residential zoning districts, or even preexisting residential uses completely within industrial zoned areas themselves. 

The town is in the process of conducting a zoning bylaw audit and recodification project, which would significantly benefit from the outcomes of this project. The Town also recently finalized an updated Master Plan, which is in the process of being formally accepted by the Planning Board. The plan references several action items that meet the goals of this project.  Specifically, the Master Plan prioritizes an action to "analyze the physical, economic, market, and infrastructure opportunities and constraints of Walpole’s industrial and commercial districts and identify options both for encouraging development and increasing the value of development."

Working and providing consultation to the EDC on this project is the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). 

Current List of Materials: