Final Plan Documents
- Island Plan Overview: This 24-page summary document gives an overview of the Island Plan. It was distributed to all Island homes. Free hard copies are available from the MVC.
- Martha's Vineyard Island Plan: The full 198-page document takes an in-depth look at nine topic areas (see Table of Contents), summarizing key data, outlining challenges and objectives, and identifying 207 strategies. Hard copies are available for consultation at the MVC and in all libraries and town halls in Dukes County.
Supporting Documents
- Leakage Analysis of the Martha's Vineyard Economy: This 2007 study by Michael H. Shuman and Doug Hoffer of the Training & Development Corporation provided a snapshot of the Vineyard economy, sector by sector; an assessment of current imports and import-substitution opportunities; and an analysis of the implications for economic development on the Island.
- Economic Profile of Martha's Vineyard: This 2008 study by John Ryan, principal of Development Cycles reviewed a wide range of economic and demographic information for Dukes County in order to present an economic trends profile that reflects upon the key issues facing the Island.
Studies and Plans
- Business on Martha's Vineyard Survey: This 2003 survey of 161 businesses was prepared by the UMass Center for Economic Development on behalf of the MVC and the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.
- Synopsis of Past Plans: This 2006 document summarizes the recommendations of 22 previous regional and town plans on Martha's Vineyard.
- Visual Preference Survey: During the summer of 2005, the MVC conducted this survey to identify which components of the Vineyard’s environment people felt contributed positively or negatively to the Island.
- Island Plan Survey 1 Results: This 2006 opinion survey identified people’s concerns about the future of the Island.
- Economic Profile of Martha’s Vineyard: This 2006 information sheet summarizes some of the main components and factors affecting the Martha's Vineyard economy. A companion PowerPoint on the Economy provides additional charts and graphs.
- Martha's Vineyard Economic Profile: This 2008 study was prepared by John Ryan of Development Cycles as part of the Island Plan process. The study reviews a wide range of economic and demographic information for Dukes County in order to present an economic trends profile that reflects upon the key issues facing the Livelihood and Commerce Work Group.
- Cost of Living Index: This 2006 study measured the relative differences in the cost of consumer goods and services appropriate for professional and managerial households.
- Leakage Analysis of the Martha's Vineyard Economy: This 2007 study by Michael H. Shuman & Doug Hoffer of the Training & Development Corporation looked at the leakage of dollars – that is, goods and services being imported that could be produced locally – to identify the most promising markets for new or expanded local businesses, and the best private initiatives and public policies to support this kind of economic development.
- Pre-Feasibility Study of the Extension of the Martha’s Vineyard Network of Shared-Use Paths (SUP): Identification of the missing gaps in the off-road network of SUPs (bicycle paths) linking Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Vineyard Haven with each other and the State Forest.
- Regional Transportation Plan (RTP): This 2007 update of the Island’s long-range transportation plan, sets the vision for the regional transportation system through a look at the existing inventory and operations, setting goals and strategies, and then working within the estimated funding to establish priorities for the Island transportation system improvements. A draft of the 2015 Martha's Vineyard Transportation Plan is currently under review.
- Development Permitting on Martha’s Vineyard: This 2008 report looks at current permitting practices on Martha's Vineyard with a view to identifying possible improvements, which might be considered by towns and/or the MVC.
- Cost of Living and of Doing Business on Martha’s Vineyard:
- Wastewater Management Study:
- Tisbury Urban Design Study:Study of downtown and Upper Main Street areas defining characteristics and guidelines for future development.
- Agricultural Self-Sufficiency: Study of how self-sufficient in food Martha's Vineyard is now and how self-sufficient it could be with a number of scenarios of land use and diet.
- Explanations of Island Plan Maps, Data and Growth Scenarios:
Surveys
- Island and Ferry Surveys, 2003-4
- Business on Martha’s Vineyard: This 2003 survey of 161 businesses was conducted in collaboration with the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce.
- Island Plan Beginnings: This 2006 survey of 222 people identified people’s concerns and priorities.
Forums
- Martha’s Vineyard Past and Future Forum: The purpose of this 2006 forum was to allow participants to discuss what has been done well and less well over the past thirty years, and what that suggests for the next thirty years. Participants were also asked to weigh in on and prioritize goals for the plan. The aim was to consolidate the results of the first forum and to allow people who could not attend that forum to provide their input. Seasonal residents were especially invited to participate
- Neighborhoods, 2007
- Development and Growth Forum: This 2008 forum looked at the amount and nature of future development.
- Smart Growth: Where Should We Put Coming Development? This 2004 forum looked at where development is projected to take place and how it might be redirected using smart growth principles.
- View From The Road: How Can We Preserve Our Rural Roadsides? This 2004 forum looked at how we could protect and improve the Island’s scenic roads.
- Trends In The Trades: How Will Changes Affect Our Businesses and Jobs?, 2004
- Clams And Kayaks: How Can We Protect Our Coastal Ponds? This 2004 forum looked at the problems facing our coastal ponds.
- Backyards and the State Forest: What Role Should Natives and Exotics Play? This 2005 forum looked at the selection of appropriate plant materials in different situations.
- Living and Working In Paradise: How Can We Make Housing Affordable? This 2005 forum looked at the challenges facing the people of the Vineyard with respect to affordability of housing and other costs of living.
- Paradise Lost? Are We Loving the Vineyard to Death? This 2005 forum looked at the interrelation between people and the natural environment as well as a Sustainability Indicators Project initiated by the MVC.
- Gridlock in Paradise: What Can We Do About Traffic? This 2005 forum looked at the challenges faced by transportation on the Island.
- Island Plan Kick-Off 1, 2006
- Island Plan Kick-Off 2, 2006
- Housing, 2007
- Energy and Waste, 2007
- Water Resources, 2007
- Natural Environment, 2007
- Development and Growth, 2007
- Livelihood & Commerce, 2007
- Transportation, 2008
- Building Environment, 2008
- Development and Growth, 2008
- Social Environment, 2009