The town is inviting residents to weigh in on the 2035 Master Plan, with feedback helping shape the version that is ultimately voted on.

Swampscott is in the process of updating its master plan, which will guide the town’s objectives from 2026 to 2036. The master plan is a non-binding framework that outlines ideas and goals for a shared vision of Swampscott’s future. On April 3, 2024, the Select Board appointed a Master Plan Committee to work with town staff and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) on a roadmap for Swampscott’s growth, policies, and improvements over the next decade.

“The draft plan reflects community priorities gathered over almost two years of engagement,” MAPC wrote in the comment form. 

The committee hosted MAPC at the Swampscott Elementary School in October to gather town input during the third master plan forum. A resident survey received 385 responses and generated more than 1,800 open-ended comments.

“Between the committee meetings, the open forums and the survey, we have a lot of rich data,” MAPC Principal Planner Carlos Montanez previously told the Swampscott Tides.

Following October’s meeting, Montanez and his team further refined the data using written comments left on display boards.. Residents also placed green and red dots to show agreement and disagreement with various proposals.

The draft lays out goals and strategies around the economic and community development of Swampscott; land use and zoning; housing options; transportation; open space and recreation; public facilities and services; historical and cultural resources; and climate, sustainability, energy and hazard mitigation.

The 222-page draft outlines a wide range of proposals, including addressing gaps such as the 4–17% of residents without adequate internet service and the 38% of households struggling with housing costs.

The draft pushes for ideas like “adaptive reuse over new construction,” addressing the “urgent needs” of King Beach, expediting the completion of the Swampscott Rail Trail, and ensuring all buildings have ramps and accessible restrooms. There is also a lot on climate resilience, from expanding on walking paths to eliminate car pollution to addressing the risks of sea level rise and stormwater system pollution.  

The 1.5 draft version of the master plan is available on the town’s website at https://tinyurl.com/Swampscott-Draft-Master-Plan.

Residents are able to comment through Wednesday, April 1 at https://tinyurl.com/Comments-On-Draft. 

The comment form is not a survey, MAPC notes. MAPC asks that comments focus on “strengthening, clarifying, or raising concerns about the draft recommendations.”

“The consulting team will make good-faith efforts to reflect, incorporate, or consider suggestions where they support higher-level consensus; however, it may not be possible to accommodate every individual preference,” MAPC wrote. “The comment period has a firm deadline to align with the timeline, contract, and scope of work. “