Gloucester Planning Board Adopts First Comprehensive Plan Since 2001

GLOUCESTER — July 17, 2025 — Gloucester adopts its first comprehensive plan since 2001, unanimously and after two years of work. The Planning Board voted 7-0 on July 17 to adopt the plan, which sets one overarching vision, four core themes, 24 goals, and 151 strategies for the city's next decade. Lead consultant Laura Smead of JM Goldston reported that community engagement exceeded its target, reaching 3,958 participation points against a goal of 2,973, with more than 700 people completing the goal-prioritization survey. Top priorities include infrastructure upgrades, a connected walking and biking network, housing stability, and stronger civic participation pathways. Community Development Director Alex Klopan confirmed the mayor plans to appoint an implementation committee with citywide board representation to report annually on progress. Board member Sean Henry secured an amendment adding two omitted prior studies — the 2014 Re-Imagining Rogers Avenue report and an approximately 2015 Downtown Work Plan — to the plan's list of informing documents before the vote was taken.