The economic prosperity of Massachusetts depends upon growth decisions made in every community. Communities must provide diverse housing and economic opportunities for residents, while considering the impacts on transportation and finite natural resources such as water, open space, and habitat.

When considering expansion of its commercial or industrial sectors, a community must consider the housing needed for the associated labor force. When thinking about housing needs, a community must think about the best type, quantity and location of housing in relationship to the protection of natural resources and the proximity to transportation. In assessing options for open space protection, a community must think about its effect on future residential development and quality of life. All of the elements are interrelated, and these relationships must be examined when preparing a CD Plan.

Conducting the Assets and Liabilities Inventory and a Community Visioning process as described in Chapter C is an important precursor to addressing the four core elements of a CD Plan. While addressing the four core elements, outlined in this Chapter, the community or group of communities should refer back to its Inventory and Vision Statement frequently to be sure that the final plan complements its assets and addresses their liabilities.

The CD Plan program recognizes that communities are at various stages of the planning process. Some communities have recently completed comprehensive planning documents, while others are just beginning a similar process. This chapter outlines the minimum steps communities must take in order to complete the four core elements of the CD Plan. The CD Plan is not designed to be as comprehensive as a master plan, or to address any of the elements in depth. Rather it is designed to provide a snapshot, which can help communities determine how the four core elements relate to one another. By completing these minimum steps, the community or group of communities should be able to make specific recommendations for changes, as well as to identify areas where further work is needed before decisions can be made.

Chapter D "Creating a Scope of Services" describes the requirement for a community to obtain acceptance for use of an existing plan or component, in place of one or more of the required elements of the CD Plan.