Plymouth County Solar Wind Farms

You are volunteering with the Kingston Green Energy Committee. Many of the towns in Plymouth County are working together to identify green energy options, specifically the development of combined solar and wind farms. The Committee learned that you are a GIS Expert and you were asked to delineate suitable locations for these combined solar – wind farms for Kingston and also for another town within Plymouth County. 

Selection Criteria:

1. The site has to have a slope angle of 15° or less (it also can be flat).

2. The slope has to have a southerly aspect (135° to 225°).

3. The wind speed at 30 m has to be above 5 m per second. 

Solar Wind Farms are natural power energy generators that produce no emissions, which results in cleaner air and water. Wind turbines use the wind-air to pump water, and to generate electricity. Solar panels use the sunlight for generating electricity, hot water heating, and solar cooling. Three criteria that are essential for determining a suitable location for a Solar Wind Farm include an area that has a slope angle of 15 degrees or less, the slope has to have a southerly aspect 135 degrees to 225 degrees, and the wind speed at 30 meters has to be above 5 meters per second. In the map above showing the town of Kingston, Massachusetts, the yellow triangles are areas that match the three essential criteria for a Solar Wind Farm. There are 110 suitable locations in the town of Kingston. Another important factor to consider is how close these suitable locations are to residential areas. Wind turbines generally cast shadows over the land below, so it is best to have solar wind farms distant from residential locations. The solid yellow triangles in the map above represent locations that intersect residential land areas. This feature shows areas that match the three essential criteria for a solar wind farm, but might not be a good location because of how close it is to residential land. Another factor to consider is wetland areas, shown above in blue. Solar wind farms need to be on dry, open space and can not be built on wetland. The yellow triangles with black dots in the center are suitable locations for solar wind farms, that do not intersect residential or wetland areas. Further analysis can determine if the land is vacant or not, and how many acres are available to build a solar wind farm. 

In the map above showing the town of Middleboro, Massachusetts, the yellow triangles are areas that match the three essential criteria for a Solar Wind Farm. There are 14 suitable locations in the town of Middleboro. Another important factor to consider is how close these suitable locations are to residential areas. Wind turbines generally cast shadows over the land below, so it is best to have solar wind farms distant from residential locations. The solid yellow triangles in the map above represent locations that intersect residential land areas. This feature shows areas that match the three essential criteria for a solar wind farm, but might not be a good location because of how close it is to residential land. Another factor to consider is wetland areas, shown above in blue. Solar wind farms need to be on dry, open space and can not be built on wetland. The yellow triangles with black dots in the center are suitable locations for solar wind farms, that do not intersect residential or wetland areas. Further analysis can determine if the land is vacant or not, and how many acres are available to build a solar wind farm. 

Click Here to view the suitable locations for a solar wind farm in Middleboro and Kingston, Massachusetts, on a ArcGIS Online Web Application. 

The following Google Map shows the suitable locations on residential land in Kingston, Massachusetts:


The following Google Map shows the most suitable locations in Kingston, Massachusetts:


The following Google Map shows the suitable locations on residential land in Middleboro, Massachusetts:


The following Google Map shows the most suitable locations in Middleboro, Massachusetts:

Suitable Locations for a Bio-Tech Industrial Park

You are a GIS Specialist working for the City of Brockton Planning Department. The mayor wants to stimulate the local economy by creating a new industrial park for Bio-Tech industry based on 3 criteria:

1. The parcel has to be at least 10 acres in area
2. The parcel has to be at least 50 feet from any wetland or water body
3. The parcel has to be already industrial or commercial zoned to avoid a contentious rezoning process

Suitable Parcels
Parcel Number	Area (Acres)	Primary Use
1	14.23	General Business
2	10.40	General Business
3	13.95	Light Industrial
4	46.40	General Business
5	14.03	General Business
6	22.29	General Business
7	12.08	General Business
8	16.39	General Business
9	10.92	Office Park
10	10.49	General Industrial
11	39.38	General Business
12	17.75	Light Industrial
13	20.47	Light Industrial

Hospitals in Brockton
Hospital Name	Address
Children’s Hospital Physicians	830 Oak St
Good Samaritan Medical Center	235 N Pearl St
Park Surgical Associates Inc	1 Pearl St #2700
Ent Specialists Inc	35 Pearl St #200
Southeastern Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons	951 N Main St
Signature Healthcare	1300 Belmont St
Signature Medical Group	110 Liberty St
Ace Surgical Supply Inc	1034 Pearl St
VA Boston Healthcare System	940 Belmont St
Champion Rehabilitation and Health Center	2 Beaumont Ave
Brockton Area Multi Services Inc	330 Crescent St
Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital	680 Centre St
Signature Medical Group	178 Quincy St
Brockton Neighborhood Health Center	63 Main St
Northeast Health Services	231 Main St #300

Colleges/ Universities in Brockton
Colleges/Universities Name	Address
Massasoit Community College	1 Massasoit Blvd
Brockton Hospital School of Nursing	680 Centre St
La Baron Hairdressing Academy-Brockton	240 Liberty St
Ailando School of Cosmetology	541 West St
Computer-ed Institute- Brockton	375 Westgate Dr

ANALYSIS: 

Based on the criteria that the parcel had to be at least 10 acres in area, 50 feet from any wetland or water body, and had to already be industrial or commercial zoned, there are 13 suitable parcels in Brockton, Massachusetts. As a regional planner, there are many factors to consider when deciding which parcel would be the most suitable for a new industrial park. For the area of Brockton, parcels 1, 2, 3, and 10 would be the least suitable. One negative feature about these parcels is that they are isolated from other important companies and industries that would increase the success of a Bio-Tech industry. Another negative feature is that out of the 13 suitable parcels, these locations are among the smallest acreage. Bio-Tech industries would be most beneficial in areas that it had a lot of acreage to expand, and these four parcels would not be of value for expansion. Finally, many of these parcels are already occupied by established businesses. Parcel 1 is currently occupied by Skyview Village, a condominium community; parcel 2 is occupied by Kmart; parcel 3 is occupied by Concord Foods, Gallant Moving and Storage Company, Concord Electric Supply Ltd, and other small businesses; and parcel 10 is occupied by National Grid, electric and gas company. Parcels 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 13 would be suitable locations for a Bio-Tech industrial park; however, these parcels are already occupied by well-known, successful businesses in which the community already depends on. Parcel 6 is currently occupied by a Home Depot plaza; parcel 7 is occupied by Brockton East Shopping Plaza; parcel 8 is occupied by Brockton East Shopping Center; parcel 9 is occupied by Signature Health Care Brockton Hospital; parcel 11 is occupied by the Westgate Mall; and parcel 13 is occupied by Northeast Electrical Distribution. Developing an industrial park at these locations would be difficult trying to buy the land from these well-established businesses, which are essential for the communities’ needs. The second best location in Brockton for the Bio-Tech industrial park would be parcels 4 and 5. Although these parcels wouldn’t be considered the best locations, they would be able to sustain a Bio-Tech industrial park. These two parcels are in a decent location, would provide significant amount of space, and are not currently occupied by a necessary business. Parcels 4 and 5 are where the Brockton Fair is held. Although the fair brings entertainment to the community, it would not be considered a necessary business and would be able to be replaced without greatly altering the community economy. One of the greatest benefits of parcels 4 and 5 is that they are the largest acreage lots available out of the 13 suitable parcels. As a regional planner, parcel 12 would be the most suitable location for a Bio-Tech industrial park. Parcel 12 has many beneficial qualities that make it a perfect location. One benefit of this location is that it has one of the highest amounts of acreage, with 17.75 acres of available land. This large amount of space would allow the construction needed to build an industrial park, as well as provide extra space for growth and expansion. Another benefit is that this parcel appears to be vacant. Having a vacant building would be easier for the town to buy, rather than trying to buy land that is already occupied by another business. A third benefit is the surrounding businesses that are around this parcel. One business is the Westgate Mall, which benefits the business trafficking of this area, bringing in many local and non-local community members. Another business is the Computer-ed Institute of Brockton. Colleges are very important for Bio-Tech industries, because it provides experienced employees as well as potential interns. A Bio-Tech industry would benefit from Computer-ed students because bio-tech businesses need computer specialized professionals for many different positions. The most important businesses that are located near parcel 12 are Ent Specialists Inc, Park Surgical Associates Inc, Children’s Hospital Physicians, and Good Samaritan Medical Center.  These medical specialists and hospitals would both benefit and benefit from a Bio-Tech industry nearby. Bio-Tech industries need the support from hospitals and patience for various research purposes, and local hospitals also benefit from Bio-Tech industries because they receive various newly researched treatments and procedures. The Good Samaritan Hospital is a well-known hospital which could qualify to receive more National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for research purposes with a nearby Bio-Tech industry. Finally, parcel 12 has a perfect physical location for a Bio-Tech Industry. The parcel is located right by main roads which make it easily accessible. It is also directly off of route 24, which provides a straight connect to the city of Boston. Boston has many well-known hospitals. In 2012, Boston hospitals received $1.78 billion of National Institutes of Health funding, which was the most funding received in the entire country. From parcel 12 in Brockton to Boston Children’s Hospital, it is only a 30 minute commute, which would greatly benefit the research of a Bio-Tech Industry. The findings of this project specifically benefit the Brockton community; however, all of the provided information could be generalized to select suitable locations for a Bio-Tech industry in any community. The most suitable location in any community would require at least 10 acres in area, preferably more; located at least 50 feet from any wetland or water body; be already industrial or commercial zoned; have surrounding industrial and commercial zones; have local colleges/universities and hospitals; be in an easily accessible location; and be vacant, or otherwise not be occupied by a well-known, established business that is essential for the community.  



FLOWCHART OF STEPS TO CREATE MAP:

Pulaski Boulevard Corridor Plan

The Planning Board of Bellingham is trying to pass a new bylaw that would revitalize an area of their Town. Previous attempts in presenting the concept to the Town were voted down. The Town Planner recommends reattempting the process, but this time with greater focus on the Town and local populations’ vision for the area. To do this, it is necessary to inventory current conditions and resources for the Pulaski Boulevard area. It has been recommended to use GIS resources to address several questions important to the inventory process. The Town Planner wants to bring this to the Planning Board this spring.

The image above is the final poster presented to the Town of Bellingham, Massachusetts in regards to the Pulaski Boulevard Corridor Plan. The first map displays all of the conforming and non-conforming parcels. A conforming parcel consists of a frontage along the street of at-least 150 feet, and a total area of at-least 40,000 square feet. The conforming parcels are symbolized in a bright green color, and the non-conforming parcels are a light gray color. There were a total of 67 conforming parcels and 711 nonconforming parcels. The pie-chart below the first map displays the total areas for both the conforming and nonconforming parcels. The red section represents the nonconforming parcels with a total of 11037735.16 square feet; the blue section represents the conforming parcels with a total of 4272048.75 square feet. 

The second map displays all of the existing businesses and mixed use parcels. These business parcels were separated into 12 different categories, based on the land use codes provided from the MassGIS website. The different categories included Authorities, Automotive, Exempt Property, Manufacturing and Processing, Multiple-Use, Municipal or County, Office Building, Retail Trade, Storage, Utility, Vacant (Developable), and Vacant (Undevelopable). The 10% simple hatch represents all of the businesses owned by out of state owners. The bar chart below the second map displays all of the business type categories, separated by conforming and nonconforming parcels. The bar graph shows that the majority of the business parcels are nonconforming. 

The third map displays all of the existing residential and vacant parcels. The residential parcels were separated into 5 different categories, based on the land use codes provided from the MassGIS website. The different categories include Apartments, Multiple-Use, Residences, Vacant (Developable), and Vacant (Undevelopable). The 10% simple hatch represents all of the vacant parcels, and the 10% cross hatch represent all of the parking lots. Similar to the other bar graph, the bar graph below the third map shows all of the residential type categories, separated by conforming and nonconforming parcels.