MAPD 2012 Annual Conference Program

1. 1
Massachusetts Association of Planning Directors, Inc.
2012 Annual
Conference
Springfield, Massachusetts
June 7th and 8th, 2012
Springfield Sheraton Monarch Place
One Monarch Place
Springfield, MA 01144

2. Thursday, June 7, 2012
8:00 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 am
~
9:00 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks William Roth Jr., AICP, Planning Director, Town of
Fairhaven & President of MAPD Inc.
Domenic J. Sarno, Mayor, City of Springfield
Mayor Domenic J. Sarno, a Springfield native, was elected as the City’s 54th Mayor in 2007 after
serving four terms on the City Council and as a member of the Springfield Finance Control
Board. He also served for five years as executive director of the South End Community Center.
Mayor Sarno has pursued community-based programs to address quality-of-life issues,
education and public safety. As Mayor of a city comprised of many cultures and ethnicities,
Mayor Sarno is committed to inclusiveness. In the weeks following his election, he assembled a
45-member Transition Team comprising diverse professionals in the areas of public safety,
education, finance, economic development and human services. His Mayoral Staff represents
the most diverse in the City's history. Mayor Sarno credits his upbringing for his respect for all
people and personal motto of treating everyone equally and with dignity.
SESSION 1
A B
9:00 am
~
10:30 am
Open Space Subdivisions: Avoiding
Pitfalls in Securing Conservation Areas
Robert A. Levite, Esq., Environmental Attorney and
Consultant, University of Massachusetts
Joel S. Russell, Esq., Joel Russell Associates
Conservation subdivision development (aka Open Space
Residential Development or Natural Resource Protection Zoning)
secures the preservation of significant open space resources
within attractive developments. The most effective tool for doing
this is a conservation restriction (CR). This workshop will
address the practical and legal issues in securing CRs, and how
bylaws and regulations can ensure proper procedures to avoid
common pitfalls and headaches. It will cover technical issues
involving conservation analysis, ensuring the protection of
conservation values, drafting of bylaws and CRs, and ownership
and management of protected land.
AICP CM|1.5
Ethics
Robert P. Mitchell, FAICP, Planning Consultant
- Land Use, Planning, Sustainable Development, &
Training Programs
Peter Lowitt, FAICP, Director, Devens Enterprise
Commission
Dwight H. Merriam, Partner, Robinson & Cole
This interactive session will review the AICP Code of
Ethics and provide attendees an opportunity to
analyze and respond to a number of hypothetical
ethical issues that may face planners from time to
time, and to work with your colleagues to determine
appropriate actions.
The presenters will draw from their considerable
experience in this regard and this session is expected
to satisfy the CM Ethics requirement.
AICP CM: Ethics|1.5
10:30 am
~
10:45 am
Refreshment Break
Please take time to visit with and review materials from this year’s Conference Sponsors to be
available in the common area throughout the Conference

3. SESSION 2
A B
10:45 am
~
12:00 pm
Public Infrastructure in
Massachusetts: Costs, Strategies,
Funding
Moderator: Larry Koff, AICP, Principal, Larry Koff
& Associates
Martin Pillsbury, Environmental Division Manager,
Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
Peter Richardson, PE, LEED, Vice President and
Principal, Green International Affiliates, Inc.
Dana Roscoe, Principal Planner, Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission
Many Massachusetts communities are working with
bare-bones budgets, with little if any money left to
repair aging infrastructure. This session will provide a
forum for learning about and discussing the status of
the current funding short-fall and some suggested
strategies for planning and funding based upon both
national reports, a local case study and the final report
of the Water Infrastructure Finance Commission.
The panel will present recent findings regarding
infrastructure conditions and the funding gap. Given
the size and scale of the infrastructure deficit, how will
we prioritize and what political/administrative actions
may be needed to carry this out?
AICP CM|1.25
Public Finance for Planners
Jeff Levine, AICP, Planning & Community Development
Director, Town of Brookline & Adjunct Faculty, Tufts UEP
Adam D. Gaudette, AICP, Town Administrator, Town of
Spencer
This presentation will provide planning directors and
planners with an overview of local public finance and how it
can affect planning decisions. While the stereotype is that
there is always pressure to accommodate new commercial
growth to pay for services – and that residential
development always loses money for a town – the reality is
much more complex. The session will focus on local public
finance in Massachusetts in the context of Proposition 2 ½ ,
examining local option taxes, the Community Preservation
Act, user fees, intergovernmental grants, 40R and new tools
like District Increment Financing.
This session includes the perspective of a current planning
director as well as a former planning director who has
moved to the position of town administrator. An initial
presentation will be followed by interactive discussion.
AICP CM|1.25
12:00 pm
~
1:15 pm
Lunch – with special guest Anthony Flint
Fellow and Director of Public Affairs, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
SESSION 3
A B
Thursday, June 7, 2012 cont’d...
Springfield has plenty of
sights, attractions and
restaurants to enjoy.
For more information, see:
www.springfielddowntown.com
www.springfieldmuseums.org
www.hoophall.com
www.nps.gov/spar
www.springfieldcityhall.com/Park
www.choosespringfieldmass.com
Thursday, June 7, 2012 cont’d...

4. 1:15 pm
~
2:30 pm
Innovative Zoning Proposals:
East Harwich and Amherst
David H. Spitz, Harwich Town Planner
Jonathan Tucker, Planning Director, Town
of Amherst
Steve G. Cecil AIA ASLA, Founding
Principal, The Cecil Group, Inc.
Proposed new zoning for the East Harwich
Village Center involves Smart Growth, village
planning, design guidelines, Natural
Resource Protection District, wastewater
planning and more. Following many years of
public process and civic engagement,
consensus on the proposal has not been
reached. However, there is a great deal to
learn from this “work in progress” experience.
Likewise, proposed “form based” zoning in
two sections of Amherst achieved 60% of the
vote at a fall 2011 Town Meeting, but failed to
receive the required 2/3 majority. Town
Meeting is expected to take up this matter
again before June.
Principals involved with both projects will
share their experience and insights regarding
the substance and process of these innovative
mixed-use zoning proposals.
AICP CM|1.25
Preparing for the Storm: Lessons Learned
from Tropical Storm Irene on Planning for
Resiliency in Local Infrastructure
Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration
Bob Dean, Franklin Regional Council of Governments and
Selectman, Town of Buckland
Patrick Garner, Wetlands Scientist and Hydrologist, Patrick C.
Garner Company, Inc., Northborough
Moderator: Heidi Ricci, MassAudubon
Most culverts and storm drainage systems are designed using
calculations of storm flows that are more than 30 years out of date.
When high intensity storm events occur, critical infra-structure such
as roads may be at high risk of washing out, creating hazards to
people and property as well as enormous costs.
Updated hydrologic data and models are available that can be
applied to new roads as well as on road repair and rehabilitation
projects. Learn how planners can incorporate up-to-date storm flow
calculation and culvert design methodologies into local road and
stormwater design regulations, and work with local and state
highway departments to plan for replacement of existing undersized
structures. Make your community resilient to storm flows, and
prevent disasters from happening. Added benefits include improved
fisheries and healthier streams.
Session will offer case study examples from Tropical Storm Irene
and information on new techniques for improving storm damage
resilience in the design of critical infrastructure, with Q&A panel
discussion.
AICP CM|1.25
2:30 pm
~
2:45 pm
Refreshment Break
Photo credits. Top: www.springfielddowntown.com
Top right (Tropical Storm Irene): blogs.hamweather.com
Right (Shelburne Falls during Tropical Storm Irene):
news.blogs.cnn.com

5. SESSION 4
A B
2:45 pm
~
4:15 pm
Mobile Workshop A -
Springfield Materials Recycling
Facility / Solid Waste Strategies
Justine Fallon, Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection
Amy Donovan, Program Director, Franklin County
Solid Waste Management District
Solid waste management, including recycling and
composting, has implications for municipal land use,
budgets and environmental quality. Attendees will tour
the Springfield MRF to learn about the mechanics of how
recycling works on a macro level.
The workshop will also present success stories related to
waste management including affecting practices of large-
scale municipal institutions like public schools, and
implementing creative community-based strategies
including the Shelburne Falls Compost Collaborative in
which several local restaurants are working together to
implement a model waste diversion program.
Learn how municipal planners and Board members can
lead or facilitate innovative local policies and strategies!
(30 people maximum)
AICP CM|1.5
Mobile Workshop B -
Historic Preservation / Economic
Development, Downtown Walking
Tour
Robert McCarroll, Springfield Historical
Commission
Brian Connors, Deputy Director of Economic
Development, City of Springfield
Philip Dromey, AICP, Deputy Director of Planning,
City of Springfield
A member of the Springfield Historical Commission and
former Springfield staff planner and current Springfield
staff will lead a tour of locations within walking distance
of the Sheraton, highlighting historic Mattoon Street,
the Quadrangle comprising several wonderful museums
including the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture
Garden, and will point out several exciting downtown
development projects including renovation of a former
school department building into market rate housing.
The City’s efforts to stimulate renovation in the Court
Square area will also be discussed.
Sound amplification will ensure that all attendees
benefit from the speakers’ insights.
AICP CM|1.5
Attention cycling enthusiasts!
Following the mobile workshops, Bill Roth and
Chris Skelly will lead a bike ride through
beautiful Forest Park, the largest urban park
in New England. And:
C u l t u r e & C o c k t a i l s !
Thursday evening, all (age 21+) are welcome to
enjoy the Culture & Cocktails – Summer Kickoff
on the Quadrangle, an event co-sponsored by the
Springfield Museums, and the Downtown
Springfield Business Improvement District.
Free for museum members, $5 for non-members,
including food & entertainment. Cash bar.
www.springfielddowntown.com
Thursday, June 7, 2012 cont’d...

6. Friday, June 8, 2012
8:00 am
~
9:00 am
Continental Breakfast
◄ MAPD 2012 AN N U A L MEE T I N G AN D EL EC T I O N O F OF F I C E R S ►
SESSION 5
A B
9:00 am
~
10:30 am
Municipally Sponsored
Limited Developments
Wayne Feiden, FAICP, Northampton
Director of Planning and Development
Carolyn Misch AICP, Northampton
Senior Land Use Planner
Sarah LaValley, Northampton Land Use
and Conservation Planner
Limited development projects allow a
community to develop a portion of a larger
parcel for development, while retaining
the rest for open space or other local
needs. The session will explore how
limited development projects can achieve
comprehensive planning objectives,
drawing on projects in Northampton that
are replicable in other communities. We
will explore projects that provide open
space, recreation, agriculture, market-rate
housing, affordable housing, economic
development, sustainable transportation,
mitigate impacts on neighborhoods, and
hopefully demonstrate to developers how
easy good projects can be to get
permitted. We will review the
opportunities and real and potential
pitfalls.
AICP CM|1.5
Introduction to Historic Preservation at the
Local Level
Christopher C. Skelly, Director of Local Government Programs,
Massachusetts Historical Commission
Patricia Kelleher, Preservation Planner, Community Opportunities
Group
Robert McCarroll, Springfield Historical Commission
Moderator: Judi Barrett, Director of Planning, Community
Opportunities Group, Inc.
This session will provide participants with an overview of historic
preservation planning at the local level. Presenters will discuss the
tools local communities can use to identify, evaluate, and protect their
historic resources and how these efforts can be incorporated into
broader planning and regulatory efforts. Commonly used tools such as
historic resource inventories, National Register designations, local
historic districts, demolition delay bylaws, and preservation plans will
be explored. Through discussion and distributed literature,
participants will gain a better understanding of these tools and how
preservationists and planners can work together to protect the features
that contribute to each community’s unique heritage and sense of
place.
Springfield has received much attention for its notable historic
resources including recognition of the Forest Park Heights Historic
District by “This Old House” as one of the Best Old House
Neighborhoods in the northeast. A member of the Springfield
Historical Commission and former Springfield staff planner will lend
his insights.
AICP CM|1.5
10:30 am
~
10:45 am
Refreshment Break

7. Friday, June 8, 2012 cont’d...
SESSION 6
A
10:45 am
~
12:15 pm
Recent Court Decisions
Barbara Saint Andre, Esq., Principal, Petrini & Associates
Ilana Quirk, Esq., Principal, Kopelman and Paige, PC
Moderator: Pam Brown, AICP, Esq., Brown and Brown, PC
MAPD's annual tradition continues with a review of recent court decisions of relevance and interest to planners.
AICP CM: Law|1.50
Please Note: AICP CM = AICP Certification Maintenance (CM) credits. As was the case with prior years' MAPD annual
conferences, AICP CM credits will be pursued for all sessions at this year’s conference.
Whether each session will be eligible for AICP credits will be determined by APA. This information will be provided
as available, both online at www.apa-ma.org/events/mapd-conference and at the conference itself.
Thank you to the
following for helping
with this year’s MAPD
Conference!
All of the volunteer
conference session
moderators and speakers!
MAPD President Bill
Roth, AICP, Town of
Fairhaven
MAPD Vice President
Angus Jennings, AICP,
Town of Westford
Special thanks to Phillip
Dromey and Scott Hanson
at the Springfield Office of
Planning and Economic
Development
Brochure photo credits:
cover, Angus Jennings;
others, City of Springfield,
Massachusetts, except as
otherwise noted
A special thank you to this year’s MAPD Conference Sponsors
Massachusetts Association of Consulting Planners www.macponline.org
Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates, Inc. www.hshassoc.com
Brown & Brown, P.C., Counselors At Law www.brown-brown-pc.com
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. www.vhb.com

8. Conference Details
Conference Registration:
To register for the conference, simply print, complete and mail in the
hard copy Registration Form on the following page, along with a check
for the conference fees specified below. Or, download the form from
the conference website, complete electronically, and submit to Chris
Skelly via email at skelly-mhc@comcast.net.
Conference Fees:
MAPD Members $85.00, Non-members $100.00. Fee includes
workshops, continental breakfasts, refreshment breaks and lunch on
Thursday. Registration and fees must be received no later than
Friday, May 25, 2012.
Mail Check (payable to “MAPD Inc.”) & Registration Form to:
MAPD Inc.
PO Box 912
Greenfield, MA 01302
Hotel Accommodations:
Hotel reservations and payment for overnight accommodations should
be made directly with the Springfield Sheraton Monarch Place,
One Monarch Place in Springfield (01144) via phone at 413-781-1010
or follow this link:
https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/StarGroupsWeb/b
ooking/reservation?id=1202144620&key=A9B93
The preferred rate is $119.00, plus state and local taxes. In order to
receive the preferred rate you must make your reservation
no later than Wednesday, May 23, 2012.
Conference Contact:
If you have any questions, please contact Angus Jennings at
978-692-5524 or email ajennings@westfordma.gov
Conference Updates Online:
www.apa-ma.org/events/mapd-conference

9. MAPD Conference Registration Form
Name and
Job Title
Company/
Organization
Address
Phone
Email
address
MAPD Member? Yes ◊ No ◊
To assist in conference planning, please check the workshops that you plan to attend.
SESSION
WORKSHOP A WORKSHOP B
1 ◊
Open Space Subdivisions:
Avoiding Pitfalls in Securing
Conservation Areas
◊ Ethics
2 ◊
Public Infrastructure in
Massachusetts:
Costs, Strategies, Funding
◊ Public Finance for Planners
3 ◊
Innovative Zoning Proposals:
Amherst and East Harwich
◊
Preparing for the Storm: Lessons Learned
from Tropical Storm Irene on Planning for
Resiliency in Local Infrastructure
4 ◊
Mobile Workshop A
Springfield Materials Recycling Facility
◊ Mobile Workshop B
Historic Preservation/Economic Development
Downtown Walking Tour
For Mobile Workshop attendees with mobility restrictions, please notify conference organizers so
we can ensure accommodations are made in advance to ensure full participation. Thanks!
5 ◊
Municipally Sponsored Limited
Developments
◊
Introduction to Historic Preservation at
the Local Level
6 ◊ Recent Court Decisions
Conference Payment
Qty.
MAPD Member x ($85) = $
Non-member x($100) = $
Total $
Mail Check (payable to "MAPD Inc.") and completed
Registration Form to:
MAPD Inc.
PO Box 912
Greenfield, MA 01302
Registration and fees must be received no later than
Friday, May 25, 2012. In order to receive preferred
hotel rate, hotel reservations must be booked by
Wednesday, May 23, 2012.