The Planning Board, authorized and formed pursuant to MGL Chapter 41, sections 81-A-81J, is the City’s primary agency responsible for the establishment of planning and community development policies. In addition to statutory responsibilities, the Planning Board formulates policies which guide land use and the development of municipal facilities, educates the public and other multi-member bodies with respect to those policies and, with the cooperation of the Community Development Department, studies issues or projects related to the development of the City.

Comprehensive Plan

The Planning Board is overseeing a new comprehensive planning initiative with consulting support by JM Goldson.  Over the course of the next several month there are many ways to engage and provide your feedback on the direction the city should take over the next decade.  Many of the goals of the last comprehensive plan (Plan 2001) ring true today.  But based on a review of how things have changed in the recent past are there new community goals? Are there new strategies and approaches that can be taken?  The following link will take you to the project website: Comprehensive Plan Website. Get involved: take the community survey, map your ideas, or host your own outreach meeting (Meeting In a Box), and sign up to our email list and stay involved!

Meetings

• Planning Board meetings are open to the public and are typically held the first and third Thursday of each month at 5:00pm. Please see the 2023 Meeting Schedule (PDF). Final meeting details will be posted 48 hours in advance under Public Notices on the City's website. 
• Currently all meetings are being conducted virtually. Go to Virtual Meetings to find out more. All virtual meetings are being recorded. Go to Past Remote Public Meetings on the City's website to view. 

Agendas & Minutes

Agendas are available prior to the meeting.
Most Recent Agenda | View All

Meeting results are available, following approval.
Most Recent Minutes | View All

Members

Planning Board Staff

To speak with the Planning Board’s professional staff in the City's Planning Division, please call (978) 325-5230 or email planning@gloucester-ma.gov.

Documents and Applications

• Approval Not Required - ANR (Form A) Application (PDF)
• Approval Not Required - ANR Application Checklist (PDF)
• Approval of Preliminary Subdivision Plan (Form B) Application (PDF)
• Approval of Definitive Subdivision Plan (Form C) Application (PDF)
• Site Plan Review Application (PDF)
• Pre-Application Open Space and Recreation Development (OSRD) Plan (PDF)
• Approval of Open Space and Recreation Development (OSRD) Plan Application (PDF)
• Pre-Application Cluster Development Plan (PDF)
• Approval of Cluster Development Plan Application (PDF)
• Common Driveway Special Permit Application (PDF)
• Pork Chop Lot Special Permit Application (PDF)
• Approval of Road Improvement Plan Application (PDF)
• Road Improvement Plan Checklist (PDF)
• Wireless Communication Overlay District Special Permit Application (PDF)
• Watershed Protection Overlay District - WPOD (PDF)

Applicable Rules and Regulations 

• Gloucester Zoning Ordinance
• Gloucester Subdivision Rules and Regulations (PDF)
• Massachusetts Subdivision Control Law MGL, Ch 41 Sec 81K-81GG (PDF)
• Site Plan Review Ordinance (PDF)

Maps

Gloucester uses MapGeo, a mapping platform that incorporates many of Google Maps features to create a familiar look and feel, allowing users to search addresses, pan around, and explore map layers by clicking them on and off. Find Gloucester map data on the MapGeo Platform.