The New Jersey Legislature has delegated most of the responsibility for land use to municipalities. However, decisions made by state agencies, county governments and even neighboring municipalities also play an important role in the actual development patterns. The municipal Master Plan is a document, adopted by the Planning Board, which sets forth the vision and policies for land use as desired by the municipality. The Master Plan is the principal document that addresses the manner and locations in which development, conservation and/or preservation occur within a municipality. Ultimately it is the municipal master plan that creates the foundation for the local zoning and land ordinances that govern development. A master plan that clearly states environmental and development goals provides a solid base for the ordinances so vital to protect a community’s public health, safety and general welfare.
What is in a Master Plan?
The Master Plan must include at least two elements 1) a statement of objectives, principles, assumptions, policies and standards upon which the constituent proposals for the physical, economic and social development of the municipality are based and 2) a land use plan element that considers natural conditions (topography, soil, water supply, drainage, floodplaiins, woodlands) to show existing and proposed land uses. As of February 2021, the NJ Municipal Land Use Law now also requires a climate change-related hazard vulnerability assessment to be included as a part of the land use element. You can find a Climate Change resiliency plan guide here or go to Resilient NJ for more information.
There are numerous other elements that can be included in the Master plan such as a Housing Plan, Open Space and Recreation plan, Circulation Plan, Conservation Plan, Historic Preservation Plan, Green Building and Sustainability Element, Stormwater Management Plan and others. At a minimum, the municipal master plan should be reexamined every 10 years.
ANJEC can provide information and references for pro-active and comprehensive municipal planning to help implement natural resource protection and State Development and Redevelopment consistency.
Resources:
- Land Use Planning– ANJEC Resource Paper
- Pathways For The Garden State: A Local Government Guide To Planning Walkable, Bikeable Communities
The Smart Growth Survival Kit:
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- Environmental Resource Inventory (resource paper)
- Vision Statement
- Planning– Build-out Capacity
- Affordable Housing
- Open Space (resource paper)
- Master Plan
- Ordinances