A. Overview
During
the past 20 years, Belchertown has experienced rapid growth in population and
in the number of housing units. It has
the most rapid residential growth in the western and central Massachusetts and
northern Connecticut region.
Belchertown’s population rose from 8,339 in 1980 to 10,579 in 1990 and
12,968 in 2000—a 27% increase from 1980 to 1990, a 22.6% increase from 1990 to
2000, and an overall increase of 55.5% over the twenty-year period. Housing units increased from 3,004 in 1980
to 3,988 in 1990, and 5,050 in 2000—a 32.8% increase from 1980 to 1990, a 26.6%
increase from 1990 to 2000, and an overall increase of 68.1% from 1980 to 2000.
History of
Growth and Projections
Census Data for 1990 and
2000, Other Years From MISER*
Year Population Change % Change %
Avg. Ann. Change
1990.................... 10,579
1994.................... 11,345............... 766.................... 7.2...................... 1.8
1996.................... 11,700............... 355.................... 3.1...................... 1.5
1998.................... 11,946............... 246.................... 2.1...................... 1.0
2000.................... 12,968............ 1,022.................... 8.5...................... 4.2
Proj. 2005........... 14,485............ 1,517.................. 11.7...................... 2.2
Proj. 2010........... 15,907............ 1,422.................... 9.8...................... 1.9
*Massachusetts Institute For Social and Economic Research
2000 Population by Age
Census Data
Age Number Percent
Under 5.......................... 888.............................. 6.8
5-9.............................. 1,043.............................. 8.0
10-14.......................... 1,025.............................. 7.9
15-19............................. 844.............................. 6.5
20-24............................. 656.............................. 5.1
25-34.......................... 1,673............................ 12.9
35-44.......................... 2,640............................ 20.4
45-54.......................... 2,164............................ 16.7
55-59............................. 540.............................. 4.2
60-64............................. 353.............................. 2.7
65-74............................. 601.............................. 4.6
75-84............................. 437.............................. 3.4
85+................................ 104.............................. 0.8
Total......................... 12,968.......................... 100.0
According to the most recent census data, 1,142 people, or 8.8% of Belchertown’s population, are 65 or older, compared to 13.5% for the entire state.
Belchertown’s
housing concerns can be addressed under two main categories: market-driven
housing, for which the major concerns are to reduce the rate of residential
development generally and to retain the appearance of the area; and affordable
housing, which is governed by MGL Chapter 40B, the Massachusetts “anti-snob
zoning act,” and more recently, Executive Order 418’s affordable housing
certification. (Briefly, Chapter 40B
encourages that at least 10% of the community’s housing be affordable for
residents with low to moderate incomes.
If this criterion is not met, a developer of housing for these residents
may apply for a comprehensive permit, exempt from municipal bylaws, including
zoning. E.O. 418 calls for
municipalities to certify that each year they are increasing the availability
of housing that is affordable to the majority of the population, which is
delimited for Belchertown as single-unit house with a value under
$252,000. A community receiving E.O.
418 certification is eligible for grants typically administered by the
commonwealth, including federal pass-through funds. A municipality not certified may not receive such grants,
including those related to affordable housing.)
Belchertown
is fortunate that its residents desire a diverse mix of housing to accommodate
the range of the town’s population.
Belchertown has traditionally been a community where young singles,
couples, and families with children could get started. However, land and housing values in
Belchertown are rising, pricing many first-time house buyers out of the market,
resulting in the concern that the town is losing its traditional base. A concomitant concern is that long-time
residents with reduced incomes can no longer live here.
The following policies were developed
to work toward the three overall goals for the town determined during the
community vision phase of the community plan project.
§
Identify,
prioritize, and work to conserve key landscape views
§
Establish
standards for the scale and site planning of construction
§
Avoid
suburban-style roadsides
§
Evaluate
proactive strategies to lessen the amount and negative results of residential
construction, and choose ones that fit Belchertown
§
Encourage
housing that will make use of existing infrastructure
§
Encourage
planned residential development that incorporates open space and other
amenities
§
Encourage home-based business enterprises, with
standards for parking, signs, hours of operation, and other elements that might
alter the surrounding neighborhood
C.
Inventory
Existing and Planned Residential Structures
2000
Households by Type
Census Data
|
|
|
Number |
Percent |
|
|
Total households |
4,886 |
100.0 |
|
|
Family
households |
3,519 |
72.0 |
|
|
With own children under 18 years |
1,895 |
38.8 |
|
|
Non-family
household |
1,367 |
28.0 |
|
|
Householder living alone |
991 |
20.3 |
|
|
Householder 65 and older |
342 |
7.0 |
|
|
Households
with individuals under 18 |
1,969 |
40.3 |
|
|
Households
with individuals 65+ years |
342 |
7.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
household size |
2.65 |
— |
|
|
Average
family size |
3.09 |
— |
The
prevalence of households with school-age children is evidence of Belchertown’s
reputation as a family-oriented community.
2000
Housing Occupancy
Census Data
|
|
|
Number |
Percent |