Get to Know the Worcester Now | Next Citywide Plan! Over the course of two years, the Worcester Now | Next process engaged a wide variety of community members in the collective creation of a long-range plan at the citywide scale that reflects the aspirations and needs of the Worcester community now and provides a framework to guide the way that we invest and shape our city in the next 10 years, especially in terms of Worcester’s physical development and infrastructure. Scan this QR code or visit now-next.worcesterma.gov to learn more about the plan and share your feedback on the Draft Plan document, which is available for public comment through February 25. Vision “ In Worcester’s fourth century, we envision a creative city of neighbors who value inclusion and celebrate diversity. We will uplift our city by investing equitably in our communities, connecting our neighborhoods to opportunity, and prioritizing sustainable growth that supports improved quality of life for all.”
Plan Headlines Three plan headlines emerged from the extensive engagement and analysis conducted through this planning process. These headlines represent the core of what this Plan is about, and what it positions the City to act on in the next few years. A values-centered framework for growth that benefits all Worcester community members. Equitable and sustained public investment in Worcester’s neighborhoods. A more connected and accessible city for all.
Implementation Priorities The following top-priority early action items will be the primary focus for implementation of this plan over the next 3-5 years. Most are already underway in some form.
See the next page to learn more about the Growth Framework that will guide future neighborhood planning, rezoning, and infrastructure investments!
1. Complete and implement the Mobility Action Plan (MAP) 2. Implement the following (pre-overhaul) zoning changes: a. Legalize ADUs by-right citywide b. Reduce off-street parking requirements c. Reform tree protection requirements 3. Develop a Housing Production Plan 4. Advocate and secure resources for implementation (staff capacity and funding) 5. Conduct infrastructure capacity and need assessments 6. Initiate a comprehensive citywide zoning overhaul
Growth Framework Worcester is growing fast—we gained over 25,000 people over the last ten years and need to plan for as many as 60,000 new residents by 2040. This plan provides a place-based framework to steer future growth to where it has the greatest potential to support a more accessible, equitable, sustainable, resilient, and vibrant Worcester. The Growth Framework, which includes four categories or types of growth, will be the foundation for future citywide rezoning as well as geographically focused planning efforts, starting in the Transformative Growth Areas.
Baseline Citywide Growth Allow for incremental, gentle growth everywhere in the city. Managed Growth Areas Allow moderate increases in housing density within a ¼ mile walk of existing and potential future transit corridors. Infill Growth Areas Encourage additional mixed-use development on vacant or underutilized properties in existing areas with high walkability and transit access. Transformative Growth Areas Facilitate significant reinvestment and physical transformation in areas with unmet potential for high walkability and transit access that can support substantial job growth and/or higher density housing with complementary commercial uses.