Walpole Town Center, Massachusetts | AdobeStock_693614556
Walpole Zoning Project
Aligning Land Use, Economic Development, and Community Priorities
Engagement Opportunity: Take the Business and Real Estate Survey!
Learn more and take the survey
The Town of Walpole, in partnership with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), is undertaking a comprehensive review of its commercial and industrial zoning districts. This work is part of the Walpole Economic Development Study and is funded through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) with support from the Town of Walpole. The project focuses on evaluating whether current zoning districts and bylaws align with today’s land uses, community needs, environmental priorities, and economic development goals.
This effort builds on recent Town initiatives—including the 2023 Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Bylaw Audit, and previous strategic planning work—to ensure that zoning and land use policies support a vibrant local economy, environmental protection, and high quality of life.
Contact:
Raúl González
Principal Planner, MAPC
[email protected]
Patrick Deschenes
Community & Economic Development Director, Town of Walpole
[email protected]
Why This Project Matters
In some areas, outdated zoning can result in:
- Underutilized or vacant parcels
- Mismatches between land uses and zoning classifications
- Commercial or industrial zones surrounded by residential neighborhoods
- Missed opportunities for economic growth and tax base expansion
Through this project, the Town aims to:
- Reassess zoning boundaries and regulations for East Walpole, South Walpole, and Downtown Walpole.
- Balance economic development and environmental protection, particularly in and near Environmental Justice (EJ) neighborhoods.
- Promote business growth and diversity while preserving community character.
- Support implementation of the Master Plan’s action items, including targeted redevelopment and zoning modernization.
Many of Walpole’s commercial and industrial zoning districts date back decades and may no longer reflect current market conditions, community priorities, or environmental realities.
Community Engagement
Your voice is critical to shaping the future of Walpole’s commercial and industrial areas.
The project will include:
Current Engagement Opportunities
Take the Business and Real Estate Survey - Deadline: September 13, 2025
If you own a business or are a property owner, your input will help shape future zoning policies, land use priorities, and business development strategies in Walpole.
If you own multiple businesses or properties in Walpole, please fill out a separate survey entry for each one.
Project Timeline
August 12 - September 13, 2025
1A. Business Survey Finalization and Distribution
- Final Edits and Approval
- Launch and outreach via Town, Chamber, and Downtown Groups
September 3 - 20, 2025
1B. Targeted Residential Groups Survey
- Develop brief, targeted survey instrument for select neighborhoods
- Coordinate outreach through local organizations, housing sites, and networks
- Launch and collect responses quickly
*Fast-moving schedule to ensure results inform later phases
August 12 - September 27, 2025
2. Stakeholder Interviews
- Confirm interview list
- Conduct interviews
- Synthesize findings
October - November 2025 (focus groups) | Early January 2026 (visioning session)
3. Community Engagement: Focus Groups plus Visioning
- Focus groups with businesses, residents, EJ communities
- One community-wide session sharing draft goals/directions
January - March 2026
4. Draft Goals and Strategy Recommendations
- Draft goals and strategy ideas based on research plus engagement
- Present to EDC and staff
- Incorporate feedback
*Overlapping with final CE work; Jan deadlines critical
March - May 2026
5. Draft Report
- Revise goals/strategies
- Draft full report for Town and EDC review
May - June 2026
6. Final Report
- Incorporate feedback from staff and EDC
- Finalize for Select Board presentation
June 2026
7. Select Board Review
- Town-led presentation
- MAPC support on revisions