Issues for Issues for Council Council

DiscussionDiscussionJune 12, 2008June 12, 2008

Forest Resource Management Forest Resource Management and Sustainabilityand SustainabilityProgram ChangesProgram Changes

Program updated to support GPOsProgram updated to support GPOs Added text regarding the fact that a partial cost-share Added text regarding the fact that a partial cost-share

reimbursement is available for non-profit organizations reimbursement is available for non-profit organizations through the New Jersey Forest Service’s Forest Stewardship through the New Jersey Forest Service’s Forest Stewardship ProgramProgram

Removed the Third Party Certification for Highlands Forest Removed the Third Party Certification for Highlands Forest Products element of the program. Staff concluded that this Products element of the program. Staff concluded that this goal is not realistic at this time; more important to focus goal is not realistic at this time; more important to focus program on sustainable guidance - a first step toward a program on sustainable guidance - a first step toward a certification schemecertification scheme

Restoration of Streams and Restoration of Streams and Riparian Areas Program Riparian Areas Program

ChangesChanges Functional Value AssessmentFunctional Value Assessment concept was added to Stream and concept was added to Stream and

Riparian Assessment element of the program. Provides a measurable and Riparian Assessment element of the program. Provides a measurable and scientific approach to ensure improvements to stream buffer functional scientific approach to ensure improvements to stream buffer functional valuesvalues

Stream Corridor Protection/Restoration PlansStream Corridor Protection/Restoration Plans element was added to the element was added to the program. The goal of these plans is to identify areas where existing land program. The goal of these plans is to identify areas where existing land uses within buffers have impaired the functional values of those buffers; uses within buffers have impaired the functional values of those buffers; and to identify opportunities for restoration of those areas.and to identify opportunities for restoration of those areas.

Highlands Open Waters and Riparian Areas GPOsHighlands Open Waters and Riparian Areas GPOs - shows the final - shows the final version of GPOs previously considered by the Highlands Council on May version of GPOs previously considered by the Highlands Council on May 22, 2008, with highlighted sections indicating proposed changes based 22, 2008, with highlighted sections indicating proposed changes based on Council discussion. on Council discussion.

Water Deficit Reduction Water Deficit Reduction ProgramProgram

Program summary includes additional text on what Program summary includes additional text on what types of water uses are part of a net water availability types of water uses are part of a net water availability analysis.analysis.

Modified Objective 2B8b and relevant program Modified Objective 2B8b and relevant program language to reflect Council discussions on white language to reflect Council discussions on white papers, regarding: papers, regarding: Water Use and Conservation Management Plans being Water Use and Conservation Management Plans being

required for all subwatersheds and especially for deficit areas; required for all subwatersheds and especially for deficit areas; range of mitigation requirements (125% to 200%); range of mitigation requirements (125% to 200%); the contents of mitigation plans; the contents of mitigation plans; timing of mitigation being relative to the volume of increased timing of mitigation being relative to the volume of increased

consumptive/depletive water uses and the existing deficit; and consumptive/depletive water uses and the existing deficit; and clarifications on enforcing mitigation. clarifications on enforcing mitigation.

The need for coordination with NJDEP water The need for coordination with NJDEP water allocation permit program is emphasized.allocation permit program is emphasized.

Efficient Use of Water Efficient Use of Water ProgramProgram

Program Summary provides more examples Program Summary provides more examples of appropriate methods to enhance efficiency of appropriate methods to enhance efficiency of water useof water use

Policy 2B4 and new Objective 2B4 clarify the Policy 2B4 and new Objective 2B4 clarify the importance of efficient water use in all importance of efficient water use in all situations, and the importance of water use situations, and the importance of water use availability and efficiency for compatible availability and efficiency for compatible agricultural water usesagricultural water uses

Limited modifications to reflect GPO changes Limited modifications to reflect GPO changes and links to and links to Water Deficit Reduction Water Deficit Reduction ProgramProgram, and to provide more specifics , and to provide more specifics regarding water loss reduction methods, regarding water loss reduction methods, irrigation efficienciesirrigation efficiencies

Efficient Water Use 2Efficient Water Use 2 Discussion of water transfers between Discussion of water transfers between

subwatersheds provides more detail on subwatersheds provides more detail on transfer limits and the potential role of transfer limits and the potential role of beneficial water reuse.beneficial water reuse.

Requirement for Water Use and Requirement for Water Use and Conservation Management Plans for all Conservation Management Plans for all subwatershed is stated, with the potential subwatershed is stated, with the potential for combined Plans and cooperative for combined Plans and cooperative planning efforts.planning efforts.

Deficit mitigation requirements provided Deficit mitigation requirements provided in more detail, including thresholds for in more detail, including thresholds for mitigation prior to initiation of a mitigation prior to initiation of a depletive/consumptive use.depletive/consumptive use.

Agricultural ResourcesAgricultural ResourcesProgram ChangesProgram Changes

Issue Overview and Program Summary expanded for clarification and Issue Overview and Program Summary expanded for clarification and to be consistent with revisions to the GPOs. Program components to be consistent with revisions to the GPOs. Program components rearranged to be consistent with the flow of revised GPOsrearranged to be consistent with the flow of revised GPOs

Policy 3B4 – Revised language to “support incentives and funding Policy 3B4 – Revised language to “support incentives and funding opportunities” rather than “advocate for the amendment of the opportunities” rather than “advocate for the amendment of the Farmland Assessment Act to permit inclusion of credits” for Farmland Assessment Act to permit inclusion of credits” for the the control of invasive species, white-tailed deer reduction programs, control of invasive species, white-tailed deer reduction programs, and the water value of well-managed agricultural landsand the water value of well-managed agricultural lands..

Policy 3E3 – revised to state that conforming counties and Policy 3E3 – revised to state that conforming counties and municipalities should include Right to Farm provisions in their master municipalities should include Right to Farm provisions in their master plans and development regulations if they have farmland preservation plans and development regulations if they have farmland preservation programs or a significant agricultural land base.programs or a significant agricultural land base.

Implementation of Strategies to Promote Preservation in the Implementation of Strategies to Promote Preservation in the Agricultural Resource Area and the Agricultural Priority Areas (APA) Agricultural Resource Area and the Agricultural Priority Areas (APA) (previously called: Establishment of Agriculture Preservation Priorities) (previously called: Establishment of Agriculture Preservation Priorities) includes discussion of the confidential inventory of agricultural lands.includes discussion of the confidential inventory of agricultural lands.

Agricultural ResourcesAgricultural ResourcesProgram ChangesProgram Changes

Cluster Development section merged with Development of Cluster Development section merged with Development of Cluster/Conservation Design Standards and expanded to reflect Cluster/Conservation Design Standards and expanded to reflect clarification and changes to Cluster Program GPOs.clarification and changes to Cluster Program GPOs.

The section “Serve as a Regional Clearinghouse” (previously The section “Serve as a Regional Clearinghouse” (previously called: Establishment of a Farmland Preservation, Stewardship and called: Establishment of a Farmland Preservation, Stewardship and Technical Assistance Program) revised to be consistent with Policy Technical Assistance Program) revised to be consistent with Policy 3A8. 3A8.

Establishment of Alternative/Innovative Agriculture Preservation Establishment of Alternative/Innovative Agriculture Preservation Programs was expanded to be consistent with GPO discussion.Programs was expanded to be consistent with GPO discussion.

Program discussion on impervious cover limitations expanded to Program discussion on impervious cover limitations expanded to include a brief discussion on the USDA NRCS Farm and Ranch include a brief discussion on the USDA NRCS Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program, which allows the SADC to leverage Lands Protection Program, which allows the SADC to leverage farmland preservation funds, but requires the landowner restrict farmland preservation funds, but requires the landowner restrict impervious cover on the farm through the deed of easement.impervious cover on the farm through the deed of easement.

A new program discussion added to specifically address the Right A new program discussion added to specifically address the Right to Farm Act. The Council will coordinate with the SADC, which to Farm Act. The Council will coordinate with the SADC, which manages a Right to Farm Program in partnership with manages a Right to Farm Program in partnership with the CADBs.the CADBs.

Historic Resource Historic Resource ProtectionProtection

Program ChangesProgram Changes

Program updated to support GPO’sProgram updated to support GPO’s Program expanded to respond to Program expanded to respond to

public commentspublic comments Added item encouraging alternative Added item encouraging alternative

strategies, such as adaptive reusestrategies, such as adaptive reuse

Scenic Resource ProtectionScenic Resource Protection Program Changes Program Changes

Program updated to support GPO’sProgram updated to support GPO’s Program expanded to respond to public Program expanded to respond to public

comments and provide greater claritycomments and provide greater clarity Added item encouraging alternative strategiesAdded item encouraging alternative strategies Added item encouraging municipalities and Added item encouraging municipalities and

counties to pursue designation of scenic bywayscounties to pursue designation of scenic byways

TransportationTransportationProgram ChangesProgram Changes

Program was edited to reflect updated Program was edited to reflect updated GPO’s; GPO’s;

Program narrative was edited to include Program narrative was edited to include language regarding the seven regional airport language regarding the seven regional airport facilities in the Highlands Region, scenic facilities in the Highlands Region, scenic corridors and by-ways and agri-tourism; andcorridors and by-ways and agri-tourism; and

Program was updated to include additional Program was updated to include additional language regarding the recognition of language regarding the recognition of transportation projects that promote a sound transportation projects that promote a sound and balanced transportation system and balanced transportation system consistent with smart growth strategies and consistent with smart growth strategies and principlesprinciples..

Land Use Capability Land Use Capability AnalysisAnalysis

Added language clarifying that the local Added language clarifying that the local build out process will include the Land build out process will include the Land Use Capability Analysis, using the Use Capability Analysis, using the Highlands Regional Build Out Model as a Highlands Regional Build Out Model as a tool.tool.

Text added to clarify that Water Use and Text added to clarify that Water Use and Conservation Management Plans will be Conservation Management Plans will be used to inform the local Land Use used to inform the local Land Use Capability AnalysisCapability Analysis

With regard to extension of water and With regard to extension of water and wastewater utility services, the distinction wastewater utility services, the distinction between the Preservation (NJDEP waiver between the Preservation (NJDEP waiver only) and Planning Areas is clarified.only) and Planning Areas is clarified.

Cluster Program ChangesCluster Program Changes Program revised to be consistent with the GPOs.Program revised to be consistent with the GPOs. Issue Overview revised to include a general discussion on funding Issue Overview revised to include a general discussion on funding

constraints associated with preserving land through fee simple constraints associated with preserving land through fee simple and easement acquisition, and to include cluster and lot-averaging and easement acquisition, and to include cluster and lot-averaging provisions under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL). provisions under the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL).

Program Summary emphasizes that municipalities considering the Program Summary emphasizes that municipalities considering the use of clusters will be encouraged to take a holistic approach to use of clusters will be encouraged to take a holistic approach to planning for the entire municipality through the Plan Conformance planning for the entire municipality through the Plan Conformance process.process.

Program Summary and General Provisions has revised language Program Summary and General Provisions has revised language regarding the developed portion of the cluster project area, to regarding the developed portion of the cluster project area, to reflect GPO changes requiring that the developed portion occupy reflect GPO changes requiring that the developed portion occupy no more than 10% of the cluster project area (to the extent no more than 10% of the cluster project area (to the extent feasible) if served by a public or community on-site wastewater feasible) if served by a public or community on-site wastewater system.system.

In addition to smart growth principles, the design of the developed In addition to smart growth principles, the design of the developed portion of the cluster project area shall consider existing portion of the cluster project area shall consider existing community character and Low Impact Development (LID). Both community character and Low Impact Development (LID). Both existing community character and LID are defined in General existing community character and LID are defined in General Provisions. Provisions.

Cluster Program ChangesCluster Program Changes General Provisions on non-contiguous cluster and lot-General Provisions on non-contiguous cluster and lot-

averaging added to be in accordance with the MLUL averaging added to be in accordance with the MLUL and to meet the resource management and protection and to meet the resource management and protection requirements of the RMP.requirements of the RMP.

Specific Requirements on Cluster Design were Specific Requirements on Cluster Design were reorganized by the resource targeted for protection – reorganized by the resource targeted for protection – for Environmental Protection or for Agricultural for Environmental Protection or for Agricultural PreservationPreservation

Cluster Design for Environmental Protection continues Cluster Design for Environmental Protection continues to allow for passive recreational trails provided they do to allow for passive recreational trails provided they do not disturb habitats for threatened and endangered not disturb habitats for threatened and endangered species, but also requires the trails be natural species, but also requires the trails be natural landscaped trails constructed of native pervious landscaped trails constructed of native pervious surface. Where feasible, the trails shall link to existing surface. Where feasible, the trails shall link to existing trail networks. trail networks.

Cluster Design for Agricultural Preservation now Cluster Design for Agricultural Preservation now requires a deed of easement with language similar to requires a deed of easement with language similar to the SADC Farmland Preservation Program easement. the SADC Farmland Preservation Program easement. The deed of easement and a legally enforceable The deed of easement and a legally enforceable Homeowner’s Agreement, where applicable, shall Homeowner’s Agreement, where applicable, shall include Right to Farm (RTF) Act provisions.include Right to Farm (RTF) Act provisions.

Cluster Program ChangesCluster Program Changes In addition to existing natural features, manmade In addition to existing natural features, manmade

historic or archaeological features (such as rock historic or archaeological features (such as rock walls) shall also be retained in the developed portion walls) shall also be retained in the developed portion of the cluster. of the cluster.

Required setbacks by LUCM Zone have been Required setbacks by LUCM Zone have been removed, because these setbacks will not allow removed, because these setbacks will not allow flexibility in cluster design to avoid Highlands’s flexibility in cluster design to avoid Highlands’s resources and would promote more impervious cover resources and would promote more impervious cover by extending roads and driveways to meet the by extending roads and driveways to meet the setbacks. This will be discussed with municipalities setbacks. This will be discussed with municipalities during Plan Conformance.during Plan Conformance.

Model cluster ordinances do not establish setbacks, Model cluster ordinances do not establish setbacks, but include a basic requirement that individual lots, but include a basic requirement that individual lots, buildings, structures, streets, and parking areas are buildings, structures, streets, and parking areas are situated to minimize the alteration of natural situated to minimize the alteration of natural features, natural vegetation and topography. These features, natural vegetation and topography. These parameters will be clearly outlined in the Cluster parameters will be clearly outlined in the Cluster Development Design Guidelines and Standards, Development Design Guidelines and Standards, which will include model cluster ordinance language which will include model cluster ordinance language and examples of model ordinances.and examples of model ordinances.

Low Impact DevelopmentLow Impact DevelopmentProgram ChangesProgram Changes

Program updated to support GPO’sProgram updated to support GPO’s Program expanded to provide more details Program expanded to provide more details

and components to advance GPO’sand components to advance GPO’s Added Site Design & Development ProcessAdded Site Design & Development Process Added Open Space & Landscaping details, Added Open Space & Landscaping details, Added Water Conservation sectionAdded Water Conservation section Added Stormwater Management sectionAdded Stormwater Management section

With 80% on-site stormwater capture goalWith 80% on-site stormwater capture goal

Sustainable Economic Sustainable Economic DevelopmentDevelopment

Program ChangesProgram Changes Program was edited to reflect updated Program was edited to reflect updated

GPO’s; GPO’s;

Program narrative was edited to improve Program narrative was edited to improve clarity; andclarity; and

Discussion was added regarding the Discussion was added regarding the requirement for conforming municipalities to requirement for conforming municipalities to develop or amend an existing economic plan develop or amend an existing economic plan element, recognizing that plans will vary element, recognizing that plans will vary considerably in scope, depending on the size considerably in scope, depending on the size and composition of a municipality, its current and composition of a municipality, its current economic conditions, and whether it chooses economic conditions, and whether it chooses to grow or not. to grow or not.

Plan Conformance Program Plan Conformance Program ChangesChanges

Program revisions provide greater detail on Program revisions provide greater detail on Plan Conformance requirements:Plan Conformance requirements:

Include Review for RMP Updates as Step #1Include Review for RMP Updates as Step #1Provide Information on Filing of PetitionsProvide Information on Filing of Petitions

o Planning v. Preservation A. – Timing, Planning v. Preservation A. – Timing, RequirementsRequirements

o Notices of Intent to PetitionNotices of Intent to PetitionDiscuss Model Highlands SupplementsDiscuss Model Highlands Supplements

o Highlands Master Plan ElementHighlands Master Plan Elemento Highlands Resource RegulationsHighlands Resource Regulations

Discuss Basic Plan ConformanceDiscuss Basic Plan ConformanceOutline Requirements of Plan ConformanceOutline Requirements of Plan Conformance

Highlands Project ReviewHighlands Project Review Program Changes Program Changes

Discussion of exemption determinations in the Discussion of exemption determinations in the Planning Area removed as staff concluded that these Planning Area removed as staff concluded that these determinations are determinations are notnot RMP consistency RMP consistency determinations that belong in this programdeterminations that belong in this program

The review standards for each RMP element were The review standards for each RMP element were updated to reflect changes that were made to updated to reflect changes that were made to individual GPOs and programs individual GPOs and programs

Prime Ground Water Recharge recommendations to Prime Ground Water Recharge recommendations to be considered by Council on June 26be considered by Council on June 26thth..

Local Participation GPO Local Participation GPO ChangesChanges

Edits to Improve ClarityEdits to Improve Clarity Policy Added:Policy Added:

To Ensure Public Participation in Municipal To Ensure Public Participation in Municipal and County Plan Conformance Activitiesand County Plan Conformance Activitieso Require: Statutory Minimum - Notice, Open Require: Statutory Minimum - Notice, Open

Public MtgsPublic Mtgso Encourage: Community Visioning & Other Encourage: Community Visioning & Other

ForumsForums Objective Added to RMP Monitoring Objective Added to RMP Monitoring

Policy:Policy: Include a Fiscal Impact Assessment in the Include a Fiscal Impact Assessment in the

Highlands RMP Monitoring Review ReportHighlands RMP Monitoring Review Report

Regional Master Plan Regional Master Plan MonitoringMonitoring

Program ChangesProgram Changes Program was edited to reflect the updated Program was edited to reflect the updated

(and relevant) Local Participation GPO’s, (and relevant) Local Participation GPO’s, including a reference to a fiscal impact including a reference to a fiscal impact assessment that measures the overall assessment that measures the overall economic health of the Region as compared economic health of the Region as compared to the rest of the State, to be included in to the rest of the State, to be included in the Highlands RMP Monitoring Review the Highlands RMP Monitoring Review ReportReport

Program narrative was edited to improve Program narrative was edited to improve clarity. clarity.

Highlands ImplementationHighlands ImplementationProgram ChangesProgram Changes

Priority Definitions Clarified to Indicate Priority Definitions Clarified to Indicate that Levels do not Relate to Importancethat Levels do not Relate to Importance

Petition for Plan Endorsement Added to Petition for Plan Endorsement Added to Items of Immediate Priority (Required in Items of Immediate Priority (Required in 60 Days)60 Days)

State and Federal Agency Coordination State and Federal Agency Coordination Moved to Intermediate Priority LevelMoved to Intermediate Priority Level

Edits to Improve Clarity & Word FlowEdits to Improve Clarity & Word Flow