The mission of the Community Planning Department is to integrate land use regulation, long-range planning, and economic development functions so that the Town can better formulate and implement a sustainable growth strategy that reflects and enhances the character of the community. Community Planning also aims to ensure a high level of communication among regulatory disciplines, and serves as a single point of contact for residents and developers relative to proposed and ongoing development projects. An important goal of the Department is to promote the widespread dissemination of information about development and land use issues to all members of the Hingham community.
Department staff provide professional and administrative support for the Planning Board and work with several other town boards and committees, including the Select Board, Accessory Dwelling Unit Study Committee, Commission on Disabilities, Harbor Development Committee, Hingham Development and Industrial Commission, and Master Plan Committee, on topic-specific planning initiatives. Recent planning projects not linked to the left include: