Plans & Studies

Zoning Projects & Amendments

This page contains information on current and past zoning projects and proposed zoning ordinance amendments currently under review.

PlanBeverly: Comprehensive Master Plan

In April 2019, the City began the process of developing a new Comprehensive Master Plan for Beverly. After more than a year of robust public input and engagement through neighborhood meetings and broader public open houses and meetings (and a pause due to the COVID pandemic), the Planning Board adopted the Master Plan in December 2020. 

Beverly & Salem's Climate Action & Resilience Plan - "Resilient Together"

Resilient Together will aim to reduce the cities’ contribution to greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, and improve resiliency in seven areas: energy, buildings and development, natural resources, public health and safety, solid waste, mobility, and infrastructure. The Cities strive to exceed Massachusetts’ commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.

Bass River District Resiliency Plan (links to Sustainability Office)

Bass River Area Study & New Zoning - on hold

This planning effort began in summer 2013 and was funded by the Barr Foundation. The Bass River industrial district and adjacent downtown areas were targeted in the City’s 2002 Master Plan and MAPC’s 2011 North Shore Priority Development and Priority Preservation Plan for appropriate compact, mixed use design with accompanying improvements in transportation safety and connectivity to create additional opportunities for economic activity, waterfront recreation and housing. In 2021-22, the City again began exploring making this zoning change with numerous public meetings. This project is on hold due to the Hall-Whitaker Bridge closure.  

Beverly Arts District 2.0 Plan

This plan recognizes that along with consistent support and coordination among partners and cultural enterprises, identifying a sustained funding stream, which may come from multiple sources, will be necessary to build successfully on recent progress. This progress includes promotion of the Beverly Arts District and cultural enterprises throughout Beverly as well as growth among creative activities, public art, placemaking efforts, and a growing value placed on arts and culture throughout the City.

Beverly Depot Mobility Hub Study

Mobility Hubs are more than your typical transit stations or park & rides. They are welcoming, well-designed places where multiple modes of transportation converge to make transit service more attractive and inviting rather than a last resort. The City received a Housing Choice Capital Grant to conduct preliminary design of a Mobility Hub at the Beverly Depot train station with the primary goals of improving safety and access for all those coming to this area of the City whether by train, foot, bicycle, or automobile.

Beverly Historic Preservation Plan

Beverly’s Planning Department is preparing a Historic Preservation Plan, which will supplement PlanBeverly, the City’s comprehensive plan, and establish specific strategies, actions, and priorities to preserve, celebrate, and protect Beverly’s historic and cultural resources and character.

Beverly Harbor and Waterfront Plan

The creation of a Harbor/Waterfront plan is the next step in taking a comprehensive look at how the Beverly Harbor and Bass River should be developed.  The plan presents a cohesive concept that creates a vibrant and active waterfront while providing improved public access and enjoyment of both the Harbor and Bass River.

Bicycle Network & Pedestrian Priority Plan

This plan builds upon the emerging bicycle and pedestrian culture that exists in Beverly. The plan identifies existing conditions and potential opportunities for all major roads and routes within the City. It further identifies a network of on- and off-road connections and routes, including proposed bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, and how those accommodations may fit within the existing roadway width.

Coastal Resiliency Study

The City of Beverly received a $89,981 grant from the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) to identify potential impacts of sea level rise due to climate change and sea level rise and develop a resiliency strategy to begin address these potential impacts, particularly on critical infrastructure.

Community Housing Plan

In 2016-17, the City engaged a housing consultant to create a Community Housing Plan to help us better understand Beverly’s current and future housing needs. The plan provides up-to-date information on local housing issues, identifies priority housing needs, articulates a vision, and develops a strategy to provide a range of housing types that meet the needs of a wide variety of households.

Downtown Beverly Hotel Feasibility Study

The purpose of this study is to analyze the potential for lodging facilities in the downtown Beverly area. The analysis includes the study of economic and market conditions, identifying hotel location criteria, potential benefits for the community and roles the public sector can play.

Downtown Beverly Strategic Plan

This plan articulates a new vision for Downtown Beverly. The plan focuses on three interconnected strategies: Strengthen and expand the district's creative sector, Strengthen Cabot Street’s role as a commercial center for the community, colleges, and tourists, and Strengthen Rantoul's role as a center for small industries and as a commercial center for the community. 

Downtown Parking Strategy

The City of Beverly worked with the transportation planning firm Nelson/Nygaard to develop a comprehensive downtown parking strategy. Through data collection, statistical analysis, and information gathered through public meetings and stakeholder interviews Nelson/Nygaard has prepared a draft set of recommendations to assist the City in improving access to parking in downtown Beverly.

Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Study

In September of 2019, upon completion of the Community Resilience Building planning process, the City of Beverly was designated by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) as a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Community. This designation indicates the City's commitment to preparing for climate change.

North Beverly Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study

By request of neighborhood residents through Councilor Martin over traffic concerns, City of Beverly conducted a Traffic Calming Study in 2016 surrounding the intersection of Cabot Street, Dodge Street, and County Way. The study covers background of the project, community concerns, traffic calming alternatives, data collection and findings, feedback, and next steps.