Community Development

Responsibilities

The Community Development Department provides technical expertise and services to the community to plan, manage, and coordinate the natural, constructed, and economic environment of Salem in order to provide a better quality of life for its citizens. In addition, the Community Development Department serves as an internal consulting organization providing technical and organizational services to fellow departments.

The overarching goal of the Community Development Department is the coordination of development activities toward maintaining and expanding the Town's economic vitality while preserving the cultural and natural resources that make Salem an unparalleled location to live, work and play.

Planning Division

The primary responsibility of the Planning Division is to administer the Town’s land use controls, including subdivision and site plan regulations. This involves reviewing plans and proposals to make sure they comply with Town regulations, helping applicants, reviewing building permit applications, inspecting sites, answering questions from the public, and working with other Town staff and consultants. 

The Planning Division's other major responsibility is long-range planning for the community. This involves updating and implementing the Town’s Master Plan, adding or amending regulations to control land development, preparing planning studies, and working on a variety of miscellaneous projects for the betterment of the Town.

Graphic Information Systems (GIS) Division

The purpose of Salem's GIS Division is to provide support and information services to the town departments through maps or cartographic analysis. Nearly every service the Town provides involves a geographic component and can take advantage of the GIS program. Salem residents and staff have learned to expect a robust effort and a cooperative attitude to utilize all available tools to help advance and communicate the Town's needs.

Economic Development

The Town has several economic development tools and initiatives available to Salem businesses. Take a look at the Town's Commercial and Industrial Property Tax Exemption Program, the Economic Revitalization Zone (ERZ) program, and more on our Economic Development page.

Committee Support

The Community Development Department provides staff support for the following Town committees:

The Planning Division specifically provides staff support to these land use boards and committees:

Special Projects

The Community Development Department works collaboratively with Town departments and organizations on a variety of special projects and initiatives as designated by the Town Manager's Office. Some such initiatives include: