1. Balancing Priorities
Balance the need for development with the preservation of open space, meeting infrastructure requirements, fostering incremental growth alongside sustainability, and harmonizing the local economy and agritourism with community needs.
Goal 1A: Focus new housing development to efficiently use land and public infrastructure while addressing community housing needs.
Goal 1B: Improve and expand municipal services and infrastructure in key areas to support housing, economic development, and environmental resiliency.
Goal 1C: Create a strong connection between the community and business development, both existing and future.
Goal 1D: Strengthen the local economy through agritourism while being mindful of its impact on residents.
The strategies aim to balance development and open space preservation by supporting diverse housing options in village centers, guiding infrastructure investments, encouraging sustainable and incremental growth, and strengthening the local economy.
2. Fostering Inclusivity, Participation, & Opportunity
Build an inclusive and thriving intergenerational community where residents, businesses, Town officials, economic and environmental stakeholders work together to identify community needs, create economic development opportunities, and develop solutions that reflect the diverse perspectives of all members.
Goal 2A: Promote community-driven economic development that fosters a diverse business landscape, revitalizes local enterprises, ensures financial sustainability, and cultivates an innovative local economy, reflecting the needs and perspectives of all community members.
Goal 2B: Expand public gathering places that facilitate community building, resource sharing, and increased connections between different communities in Stow.
Goal 2C: Prioritize inclusive input from a diversity of voices on local initiatives and projects that impact the community.
The strategies focus on encouraging collaboration between stakeholders, enhancing local economic opportunities by activating village centers, and strengthening civic engagement in local government and the community across all ages and backgrounds.
3. Enhancing a Livable Community
Promote livability in Stow by fostering accessible, intergenerational community spaces and connections, ensuring affordability, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive and enjoy the diverse amenities that Stow has to offer.
Goal 3A: Ensure that all community members have access to diverse, accessible, and affordable housing options that support mixed-use and multi-generational living in well-connected areas to promote a sustainable and livable town.
Goal 3B: Improve public services to help people of all ages connect with each other and engage in cultural activities.
Goal 3C: Support local identity and history through the preservation of Indigenous presence past and present, historic structures, neighborhoods, open spaces, and farms.
Goal 3D: Prioritize inclusive input from a diversity of voices on local initiatives and projects that impact the community.
The strategies promote livability in Stow by advancing housing affordability, improving cultural and mobility access, preserving local history, and fostering inclusive, well-designed community spaces that support residents of all ages and backgrounds.
4. Expanding Transportation Options
Support mobility by enhancing connectivity, encouraging more local and regional transportation options, creating safer streets for all users, and facilitating traffic.
Goal 4A: Improve physical connectivity within Stow and with neighboring communities to facilitate local and regional transportation connections.
Goal 4B: Actively support alternative modes of transportation, like local shuttles and regional buses, to connect residents and visitors to key destinations.
Goal 4C: Develop a safe and accessible transportation network of walking, rolling, and bicycling routes that connects residential areas, economic centers, schools, and open spaces for all users.
Goal 4D: Manage peak traffic and parking to minimize disruption to residents.
The strategies support mobility by enhancing pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, improving transit awareness and regional coordination, promoting street safety for all users, and addressing seasonal traffic challenges through proactive planning.
5. Building Community Resilience
Strengthen the Stow community’s ability to withstand external and internal pressures, including development, public health crises, economic shocks, geopolitics, and the climate crisis.
Goal 5A: Integrate sustainability and natural resource preservation as key goals in all housing, economic, and transportation initiatives to ensure long-term resilience and stewardship.
Goal 5B: Preserve, protect, and enhance Stow’s open space and conservation land to maintain biodiversity, ecological and wildlife habitats, maintain and improve forest health, safeguard prime farmland, and boost resilience to heat and flooding.
Goal 5C: Ensure that public community spaces are flexible to serve a variety of needs and uses, ensuring that they remain valuable and functional in the face of changing community needs.
Goal 5D: Pursue public and private renovations and technological upgrades that enhance climate resilience, disaster preparedness, and reduce emissions for the entire community.
The strategies strengthen focus on aligning conservation and land use with sustainability goals, expanding accessible community spaces, advancing climate and energy preparedness, and supporting local food systems to better withstand a range of future challenges.
Explore: Future Land Use Map
How could the strategies be seen on a map? The Future Land Use Map will serve as a guide to Town leaders over the next ten years.
Deep Dive: The Draft Strategies
Dive into the details of the draft strategy list.