Reports & Publications

The following Reports have been conducted over the past several years by the Planning department or by consultants working with the Planning Department. Please be patient when opening the reports, as some are long and may take a moment to open.

MBTA Communities Summary Report

• MBTA Communities Summary Report, prepared by RKG Associates, April 2024

Downtown Streetscape Project

• Needham Downtown Streetscape Project, February 2014

Permitting Guide

• 2012 Needham Permitting Guide (PDF)

Needham Center Development Plan

• 2009 Needham Center Development Plan

Housing Plans

• Town of Needham Housing Plan, December 2022
• Needham Affordable Housing Plan (PDF)
• 2012 Needham 40B Guidelines (PDF)
• 2013 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (PDF)

1995 Design Guidelines for the Business Districts

• Design Guidelines (PDF)

2001 New England Business Center Plan

• Goals of the June 2001 NEBC, Highland Avenue Corridor, Wexford/Charles Industrial District Plan (PDF)
• Executive Summary (PDF)
• New England Business Center Full Report (PDF)

2003 MIT Planning School project with the Town of Needham Planning Department

• MIT study 2003 Group 1 (PDF)
• MIT Study 2003 Group 2 (PDF)
• MIT Study 2003 Group 3 (PDF)
• MIT Study 2003 Group 4 (PDF)

2004 Community Development Plan

• Full Plan (PDF)
• Needham Community Housing Plan (PDF)
• Needham Housing Resource Report (PDF)
• Economic Development (PDF)
• Open Space and Recreation (PDF)
• Transportation (PDF)
• Putting the Plan Together (PDF)

1991 Highland Avenue Planning Project

• Highland Avenue Planning Project (PDF)

Land Use, Zoning & Traffic Study, Needham Center 1988

• Land Use, Zoning & Traffic Study, Needham Center 1988