Brookline residents can weigh in on a long-range plan that will shape the town's housing, transportation and climate policies through 2040.

The Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee released a working draft of the Brookline 2040 Comprehensive Plan, the town's first such document in nearly 20 years. Two public hearings are set for Monday, Nov. 9, and Monday, Nov. 16, from 7:00 to 7:45 p.m. at Town Hall, 333 Washington St., or via Zoom. Written comments can be sent to [email protected] by Thursday, Nov. 19.

The plan covers seven areas: Mobility, Thriving Commercial Areas, Livable Neighborhoods, Community Wellbeing, Climate Action and Resiliency, Fiscal Wellbeing and Expanded Housing Options. According to a transmittal memo dated Oct. 27 from Jake Collins, the town's community planner, the draft is the result of two and a half years of steering committee meetings, public engagement and input from town staff, boards and commissions.

The Select Board appointed the 16-member steering committee to guide the process. Paul Warren, a Select Board member, chairs the committee. Linda Olson Pehlke, a Town Meeting member and urban planner who has lived in Brookline for more than 35 years, serves as vice chair. Kara Brewton, director of planning and community development, is the lead staff member.

Still a work in progress

Collins' memo makes clear the draft is not a finished document. The text has not been reviewed or endorsed by the steering committee, the Planning Board or the Select Board. Several pieces remain incomplete, including the Fiscal Wellbeing chapter's metrics and narrative, the zoning chapter, the history section and the implementation matrix with timelines and cost estimates.

The committee is asking residents to focus on substance rather than wording. The town's Comprehensive Plan page poses three questions: Do the goals reflect Brookline's priorities? Are the proposed actions clear and realistic? Is anything missing?

What the committee has voted on so far

At its Sept. 28 meeting, the committee adopted draft actions for five of the seven topic areas by unanimous 9-0 roll call votes, according to meeting minutes. Those sections are Mobility, Thriving Commercial Areas, Livable Neighborhoods, Community Wellbeing and Expanded Housing Options. Climate Action was deferred, and Fiscal Wellbeing is still being developed.

During the Mobility discussion, members removed the word "consider" from two actions and revised the transit goal to "pursue" greater reliability and accessibility. Betsy Pollock, a committee member, asked that the section better reflect the needs of older residents who drive.

On housing, the committee set an upper target of roughly 2,400 units over ten years. A build-out analysis presented at the Sept. 14 meeting found that pipeline projects account for about 2,330 units, of which roughly 1,675 are considered likely to be built. Brewton described the analysis as confirming the plan's map provides adequate capacity, not as a precise forecast.

What comes next

The steering committee will meet three times in November, on the 2nd, 9th and 30th, to discuss the working draft. The Planning Board and Select Board will ultimately vote on whether to adopt the plan. Committee agendas and Zoom registration links are posted at brooklinema.gov/3750.