planning for sustainable communities: master plan guidance for new jersey officials

American Planning Association NEW JERSEY CHAPTER

Planning for Sustainable Communities

Master Plan Guidance for New Jersey Officials

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Table of Contents

3 Acknowledgements

4 Introduction

5 How to Use this Document

10 Land Use

20 Housing

25 Circulation

32 Farmland

38 Open Space & Recreation

44 Conservation

50 Economic Development

56 Community Facilities

60 Utilities & Infrastructure

65 Recycling

70 End Notes

71 Photo Credits

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Acknowledgements

I would like to extend great appreciation to the following individuals for lending their time and

talents to this project.

Nick Angarone, AICP/PP, NJ DEP

Mirah Becker, AICP/PP, Middlesex County Planning Department

Donna Drewes, AICP, Sustainability Institute at The College of NJ, Co-director

Jennifer Gonzalez, LEED GA, Louis Berger Group

Maryjude Haddock-Weiler, AICP/PP, New Jersey Highlands Council

Teri Jover, AICP/PP, New Jersey Future

Charles Latini, AICP/PP, APA-NJ Chapter President

Joan McGee, Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Association

Elizabeth McManus, AICP/PP, LEED AP, Clark Caton Hintz

Jeff Perlman, AICP/PP, NJ Transportation Planning Authority & APA-NJ Sustainability Committee

Co-Chair

William Purdie, AICP/PP, NJ DEP

Marty Rosen, AICP, NJ DEP

Barbara A. Walsh, AICP/PP

And to anyone else who reviewed the document, contributed photos, and kept the process moving

along... Thank You!

Angela S. Clerico, AICP/PP, LEED AP

Project Director

APA-NJ Sustainability Committee Co-Chair

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Given the fast-paced, technology-driven world in which

we live, we are becoming increasingly disconnected

from our natural world. As a recent NY Times article

stated, we have become victim to what Richard Louv in

his 2005 book, “Last Child in the Woods”, coined as a

“Nature deficit disorder.”1

Every day we abide by the laws of our communities, our

homeowners associations, our schools and workplaces.

We must even abide by the law of gravity. We simply

accept it as keeping our feet on the ground. Still, there is

disregard for the laws of nature that constantly have

their hold on us as well. Trees provide oxygen - which

provides life. Energy surrounds us and helps us move

about. Water flows over rocky stream beds and fills

lakes to provide sustenance. Nutrients found naturally

occurring in soils and plants provide nourishment for

our food and our bodies.

Over time our society has developed disregard for these

occurrences and one thing is clear, we have become

disconnected. We have witnessed firsthand the

implications of our disregard: polluted air and water;

degraded soils due to pesticide and fertilizer use;

increased taxes and spending to provide new

infrastructure without first considering existing

facilities; farming is becoming less and less a part of our

community character and many communities lack

access to healthy food; and increased impervious cover

contribute to problems with groundwater infiltration,

stormwater runoff, and the loss of healthy, productive

land.

In an attempt to re-connect to the natural world and turn

this process around, we now focus on “sustainability”

and greater awareness of our actions and their

downstream implications. In August 2008, the

Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) was amended to

include the Green Building and Environmental

Sustainability plan element (The Sustainability Plan) in

the list of permitted Master Plan elements. The MLUL

describes this new element as the following:

“A green buildings and environmental sustainability plan

element, which shall provide for, encourage, and promote

the efficient use of natural resources and the installation

and usage of renewable energy systems; consider the

impact of buildings on the local, regional and global

environment; allow ecosystems to function naturally;

conserve and reuse water; treat storm water on-site; and

optimize climatic conditions through site orientation and

design.”2

This element, like all Master Plan Elements, is intended to

guide land-use decisions and provide the basis for

ordinances addressing sustainability and land use issues. It

will also help municipalities infuse sustainability concepts

into their existing master plan elements. For municipalities

who wish to develop a stand–alone sustainability plan,

g u i d a n c e c a n b e f o u n d a t h t t p : / /

www.sustainablejersey.com .

This guidance document also offers awareness around

changing our actions to avoid reactionary planning to both

the natural and built environment. Planning for future

growth while ensuring current residents get the services

they need is critical for the health of any community.

New Jersey’s draft State Strategic Plan (SSP) outlines three

main goals to ensure the viability of a triple bottom line

approach to planning in the State. Triple Bottom Line

(TBL) can be defined as an expanded spectrum of values

and criteria for measuring organizational (and societal)

success beyond economic profits. TBL is measured by

economic, ecological and societal assets, and is also known

as “people, planet, and profit”. To summarize the vision

stated in the SSP; New Jersey is aligning itself to be a

national leader by coordinating private and public

investment to provide strong ECONOMIC opportunities,

preserve the State’s NATURAL resources, and create

healthier COMMUNITIES to work, reside and recreate.

Deconstructing the traditional master plan, this guidance

document offers new approaches to each of the traditional

plan elements. Following the SSP principles, this

document offers sound local and global examples that any

NJ municipality can tailor to their needs.

Introduction

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How to Use This Guidance Document

The purpose of this guidance document is to provide

municipal officials, their planning consultants, and

residents of the community with informative, clear, and

user-friendly language with which to update the

comprehensive municipal master plan to support

sustainability goals. The NJ Chapter of the American

Planning Association (APA-NJ), along with supporting

academic, not-for-profit and professional consulting

outfits, provides real-life examples that help the

professional planner and the lay-person determine the

best approach to crafting sustainability language

appropriate to their community.

A municipality may choose to update one plan element

at a time or complete a comprehensive review and

update the entire master plan. If updating only one plan

element, be sure to cross-check it with existing plan

elements to remove any conflicting language or barriers

to sustainable approaches.

Where appropriate, the guidance document directs the

reader to the Sustainable Jersey program, for more

information on Sustainability Planning. In some cases,

points toward Sustainable Jersey certification may be

obtained for completing certain portions of the master

plan or inserting sustainability language.

To begin, the document provides a brief ‘Definition of

Sustainability’ and how a municipality may determine

what sustainability looks like in their community. One

way to accomplish this is by ‘Creating a Shared Vision,’

which is discussed just following the definition section.

In each individual section, there are implementation

strategies which include language for incentives to

encourage businesses and residents to implement

sustainable practices. When all of these components are

considered, the municipality is guided to develop

monitoring actions that will ensure sustainable practices

remain as such.

The document is then divided into sections

corresponding to each municipal master plan element

that a municipality may choose to adopt (M.L.U.L.

c.40:55D-28). Each section of the document provides

the following:

· Why we should care about the topic as a

sustainability issue

· The key concepts for updating the plan element

with sustainability language

· Sample implementation strategies to consider in

each plan element

· Additional resources where a community may go

to find out more information on the topic

Through continuous education, the concept of and work

toward, a more sustainable future will become an

inherent objective in the community. A municipality

creating a sustainability program should provide

encouragement, support, and education about short- and

long-term actions to reduce the individual’s and the

community’s environmental footprint.

Ideally, the sustainability planning process will take

both a top-down and a bottom-up approach. It is

necessary for local government officials to enact

policies that encourage all areas of local government to

commit to bettering their community. In turn, the

grassroots efforts are supported by the decision-makers

and new ideas for creating a sustainable community are

discussed and agreed upon.

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Step 1: Defining Sustainability in Your Community

A municipality should first define the term “sustainability” as is applies in your town and explain:

1) The importance of applying sustainability to land-use decisions, community development and redevelopment

decisions, and natural resource protection;

2) The importance of the Master Plan in defining and achieving a desired future for the community;

3) The general purpose and focus of the Plan, and

4) The need for changes in ordinances and practices that the municipality will need adopt to become more sustainable.

One example of a definition for Sustainability comes from the American Planning Association: “Sustainability is the

capability to equitably meet the vital human needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations

to meet their own needs by preserving and protecting the area’s ecosystems and natural resources.”3

This definition mirrors the widely accepted definition of Sustainable Development coined by the Brundtland

Commission, “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the

ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”4

The STAR Community Index, a national framework for assessing and rating sustainable communities, finds, “the path to

sustainability is different for every community – but the common elements are a healthy environment, a strong economy

and the well-being of the people living in the community.” This definition abides by the Triple Bottom Line concept and

corresponds with goals of the New Jersey Draft State Strategic Plan.5

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Step 2: Creating a Shared Vision

A Sustainability Plan should include a vision that incorporates

sustainability concepts and delineates their importance to

achieving community development and redevelopment priorities

and practices, land-use decision-making and natural resource

protection, in order to help achieve a thriving future in every

aspect of a community.

A vision is a broad statement of the desired outcome for a

community. It should be specific enough to describe what life

might be like if the vision were implemented and to guide goal-

setting activities, but broad enough to encompass many goals

and implementation strategies. It often encompasses organizing

themes like sustainable development, healthy communities,

green building design and quality of life.

At the outset of this process, a common definition of

sustainability must be determined by the community. It will

mean different things to different communities. Some will

already have a good start on the process and will be looking to

enhance practices already in place. Others will be discussing

how to start the process so that the community as a whole is on

board and moving forward, together. This guidance document

seeks to provide varied communities (Urban, Suburban, or

Rural) with direction toward reaching consensus on a collective

vision, developing a shared understanding of the vocabulary of

sustainability, and encouraging all members of the community to

develop a personal rationale for sustainability. When all factions

of the community feel that they are contributing to the shift

toward a more sustainable future there will likely be more

support for new ideas and innovations, increasing support for

meeting the needs of their community without compromising the

needs of future generations.

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Step 3: Benchmarking

While all paths to sustainability are unique, a community may wish to follow a benchmarking or rating system used by

other communities, and possibly tailor that system to their own community. Rating systems exist from various nonprofit

organizations, professional affiliations, and government agencies. New Jersey’s Sustainable Jersey program provides

links to existing municipal sustainability plan and benchmarking resources. Below is a sample of these resources.

The Green Globes Rating System

A building and environmental design and management tool. It delivers an online

assessment protocol, rating system, and guidance for green building design, operation and

management. It is interactive and provides market recognition of a building’s environmental attributes through third-

party verification. Assessment tools are available for New Buildings / Significant Renovations; Management and

Operation of Existing Buildings; Building Emergency Management; Building Intelligence; and Fit-Up for Commercial

Interiors.

LEED-ND or LEED for Neighborhood Development

A rating system for whole neighborhoods, portions of neighborhoods or multiple neighborhoods that

integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for

neighborhood design. The LEED-ND rating system supports the theories that “thoughtful neighborhood

planning can limit the need for automobiles and their greenhouse gas emissions. Mixed-use

development and pedestrian-friendly streets encourage walking, bicycling and public transportation.

Green buildings and infrastructure also lessen negative consequences for water resources, air quality and natural

resource consumption.

The character of a neighborhood, including its streets, homes, workplaces, shops and public spaces, affects quality of

life. Green developments respect historic resources and the existing community fabric. They preserve open space and

encourage access to parks. Combine the substantial environmental and social benefits, and the case for green

neighborhoods makes itself.”6

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methods (BREEAM)

Sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation

and has become one of the most comprehensive and widely recognized measures of a

building’s environmental performance. It encourages designers, clients and others to think about low carbon and low

impact design, minimizing the energy demands created by a building before considering energy efficiency and low

carbon technologies. BREEAM is used to assess buildings in many countries around the world and is housed under the

The STAR Community Rating System (Sustainability Tools for Assessing & Rating Communities)

The nation’s first voluntary, self-reporting framework for evaluating, quantifying, and improving the livability and

sustainability of U.S. communities. STAR uniquely combines:

A framework for sustainability encompassing the social, economic and environmental dimensions of community;

A rating system that drives continuous improvement and fosters competition; and

An online system that gathers, organizes, analyzes, and presents information required to meet sustainability goals.

http://www.starcommunities.org/rating-system

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Land Use

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Why a Sustainable Land Use

Plan Matters

Land is the most fundamental resource that

municipalities manage. As noted in the Sustainable

Jersey Program,

“Where and how development takes place is one

of the single largest determinants of long-term

quality of life and sustainability in New Jersey

and globally. Development decisions determine

choices of how and where people live and move

about, and have a major impact on the

environmental, economic, and social conditions

in the state.”8

A number of recent analyses examining land use,

increases in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and

population growth, have demonstrated that national

development patterns have primarily been sprawling.

The increases in developed acres of open lands

(farmland, forests and wetlands) and VMT have both

outpaced population growth, and sprawl has a

number of unwanted and costly consequences:

Greater capital and operating costs for

infrastructure such as roads, wastewater

treatment, and transmission lines,

Increased road congestion and commuting times,

Limited mobility for those without cars,

Greater expenditures on fuel and automobile

maintenance,

Urban disinvestment,

Lost farmland and wildlife habitat,

Impaired ecosystems,

Increased water and air pollution, including

greenhouse gases (78 percent of which is

attributed to private automobiles), and

Detrimental health impacts due to more

sedentary lifestyles from lack of active

recreational opportunities.

Land use policy necessarily touches on every aspect of

local government concern. Sustainable land use plan-

ning involves decisions on crosscutting and multi-

layered issues that affect air quality, water quality,

access to transportation options, economic vitality,

and quality of life. It is critical to promote the creation

and development of communities containing an array

of types and uses of buildings and spaces to meet the

diverse needs of residents’ daily lives.

– Sustainable Cities Institute

Key Concepts

Given the significant environmental, economic and

social consequences of land use development

decisions, any community striving to become more

sustainable must evaluate and understand the

implications of its growth, redevelopment, and land

management policies. Concepts that are essential for a

sustainable land use plan include:

Create or Enhance a Vibrant Mix of Land Uses,

Strengthen and direct development towards

existing neighborhoods, communities and

infrastructure,

Create Walkable Neighborhoods,

Protect and Restore the Environs,

Integrate Land Use and Transportation,

Require and/or Encourage Green Design,

Foster Regional Cooperation,

Respect Community Character, Design and

Cultural and Historic Features,

Make Development Decisions Predictable, Fair,

and Cost-Effective, and

Site Municipal Facilities Consistent with

Sustainable Land Use Principles.

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Smart Growth – A Resilient Community Starts with

Sustainable Land Use

New Jersey is predicted to reach full build-out faster

than any other state. If our vision is to sustain the

state’s growth and prosperity, local officials must

make land use decisions that preserve future

opportunities a high priority. New development

should embody efficiency and conservation to the

maximum extent possible. Growth must be based on

the principles of redevelopment, infill development

and live-work or complete communities

development.

The US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED-

ND program encourages many smart growth

principles9:

• Place residences and jobs proximate to each other

to limit automobile trips and associated greenhouse

gas emissions;

• Incorporate mixed-use development and walkable

streets to encourage walking, bicycling, and public

transportation for daily errands and commuting;

• Consider the character of a neighborhood,

including its streets, homes, workplaces, shops, and

public spaces that significantly affect quality of life;

• Include varying types and price ranges of homes to

enable a wide variety of residents to be part of the

community;

• Respect historical resources and the existing

community fabric;

• Preserve open space and encourage access to parks;

and

• Consider that green buildings, community gardens,

and streets and public spaces that encourage physical

activity are beneficial for public health.

The New Robbinsville Town Center, Mercer County, NJ

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In order to avoid sprawl and provide quality in housing

options and community character, municipalities of all

kinds (Rural, Suburban, or Urban) should strive to

incorporate the following strategies into their

Sustainable Land Use Plans.

Create or Enhance a Vibrant Mix of Land Uses (see

Economic Development Plan)

Residential, retail, office, active and passive

recreation, farms or community gardens, etc.

Provide housing options for all members of the

community

Retrofit existing design and planning in the

following ways:

○ Establish a Sense of Place – Encourage infill,

redevelopment, adaptive re-use, vertical building

additions and reduction of surface parking lots;

○ Encourage Mixed-use – Encourage a balance of

jobs, housing, shopping, schools, recreation, public

spaces, and institutions in compact forms at an

appropriate scale;

○ Improve Connectivity through access management,

the reintroduction of grids and removal of cul-de-sacs,

the introduction of new service roads as alternatives

to high-speed roadways, and the introduction of

pedestrian and bicycle-friendly connections;

○ Renew emphasis on main streets as an alternative to

strip and more expansive shopping malls;

○ Re-introduce the village green to replace seas of

parking, strip and shopping malls and reinforce the

notion of the town center;

○ Create riparian corridors and greenways while

simultaneously introducing passive recreational trails

and bikeways;

○ Introduce smaller lot sizes to use less developed

space, including townhouses and other multi-family

housing developments within walking distance of the

village green or town center; and

○ Reconsider and redesign residential neighborhood

circulation patterns taking into account walking and

bicycling in addition to considering the reduction of

street widths, traffic calming measures, and

retrofitting cul-de-sacs to improve connectivity and

local traffic flows.

Strengthen and direct development towards existing

neighborhoods, communities and infrastructure

Take advantage of existing community assets (e.g.,

transit, parks, schools);

Give priority to infill and redevelopment for both

private and public purposes; and

Evaluate infrastructure needs and resource carrying

capacities, in particular wastewater and water

supply, to use or repurpose existing infrastructure so

as not to build new infrastructure when or where it

is not needed.

Create Walkable Neighborhoods

Encourage compact development to create close-

knit neighborhoods, designed for personal

interaction and encourages walking and bike riding;

Provide a variety of open spaces close to work,

schools and home to facilitate social networking,

civic engagement, physical activity, and time spent

outdoors;

Redesign (or retrofit) sprawling areas to capture

concepts of land use mix and walkability;

Plan in increments of “complete” neighborhoods;

Promote community interaction by integrating

schools into the neighborhood and encourage

walking and bicycling to school; and

Avoid construction of gated residential areas.

Protect and Restore the Environs (see Conservation

Plan)

Implementation Strategies

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Preserve open space, farmland, scenic views, trees, natural resource lands, and critical environmental areas;

Integrate land use and water quality planning to consider watershed systems in land use planning;

Conserve and enhance wildlife habitat, imperiled species and ecological communities;

Manage the location and design of land uses and structures that involve the use, storage, treatment or disposal of

toxic and hazardous materials to prevent contamination of ground and surface water.

Integrate Land Use and Transportation (see Circulation Plan)

Provide mutually supportive transportation system improvements and land use planning practices to reduce automo-

bile use;

Provide a variety of multi-modal transportation choices for all users, including those with limited mobility;

Encourage development in multi-modal transportation areas or live-work opportunities (eg. Transit-Oriented Devel-

opment); and

Design circulation systems to promote connectivity.

Require and/or Encourage Green Design

Reduce Urban Heat Island effects through community planning and design by avoiding dark-colored buildings and

roofs, paved surfaces, and reduced tree cover. This complements smart growth strategies by reducing energy costs

and enhancing green space;

Improve stormwater management systems by using natural, low-impact design elements and green infrastructure

such as rain gardens, roof gardens, and constructed wetlands; and

Reuse or repurpose existing infrastructure wherever possible.

Foster Regional Cooperation and Coordination

Promote regional land use tools to avoid competition for a bigger tax base, avoidance of development, connection of

open spaces, protection of environmental resources and smart growth transportation systems;

Consider the impacts of land use decisions on various systems across municipal boundaries (e.g., watershed level

planning for stormwater management);

Look for opportunities at all levels of government to coordinate and cooperate to achieve common goals by meeting

and discussing ideas; and

Promote cost sharing and cost saving ideas through regional cooperation.

Make Development Decisions Predictable, Fair, and Cost-Effective

Encourage meaningful community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions;

Eliminate disproportionate environmental burdens and pollution experienced by historically disadvantaged commu-

nities; and

Educate urban communities and local leaders about potential pollution from development decisions.

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Revise land use regulations

Amend current ordinances, codes and standards to discourage sprawl and to encourage compact development (e.g.,

eliminate zoning practices that require minimum lot sizes, or that prohibit multi-family or attached housing, as

determined by the capacity analysis); consider adoption of form-based codes. Specific actions include:

Revise codes and ordinances to allow for the “by right” building of mixed-use and transit-oriented developments,

with a complete streets and pedestrian-friendly component;

Match up water supply and wastewater management with zoning and land-use mapping;

Encourage development, redevelopment and economic growth in locations with existing or anticipated public

services or facilities; and discourage development where it may impair or destroy natural resources, wildlife habitats,

or environmental qualities; and

Promote inter-municipal regional planning among communities with shared services and infrastructure.

Identify Eligible Lands

Identify land that is best suited for green development projects by applying screening criteria (e.g., LEED-ND Smart

Location and Linkage prerequisites) to all parcels. Such criteria should filter land based upon the following criteria:

smart location characteristics, such as proximity to transit, public water and wastewater infrastructure, community

services, and previously developed land; proximity to imperiled species, wetlands, and water bodies; soil

characteristics; and proximity to floodplains.

Such an analysis identifies promising areas for growth and gives guidance to developers that will encourage them to

strongly consider appropriate locations when pursuing new projects.

Enact a Transfer of Development Rights Program to Create Centers and Protect Environs

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a municipal planning and preservation tool offering communities a way to

protect agricultural, historic or environmental resources while accommodating the needs for growth. TDR is a realty

transfer mechanism permitting owners of “sending area” properties to separate the development rights of their

property from the property itself and sell them for use on other land. Developers who purchase these “development

credits” may then develop “receiving areas” deemed appropriate for growth at densities higher than otherwise

permitted. Once the development rights of a property are sold the land will be permanently restricted from further

development.

Create Incentives to Direct Development to Existing Developed Areas

Development Incentives: Provide density bonuses, increased allowable heights, and accelerated review and

permitting for: redeveloped sites, brownfield and greyfield and other infill sites; providing additional amenities.

Financial Incentives: Creating a financial incentive for “sustainable” development is one of the best ways for a

town to achieve its goals.

Establish tax increment financing (TIF) districts to encourage redevelopment.

Reduce impact fees for infill development based on less demand for new infrastructure, if capacity analysis

agrees. Often, fee reductions and waivers are paired with a structural incentive such as expedited permitting to

give the developer increased benefit for choosing to build green.

Grants for green neighborhood developers and green builders are being established by local governments to

entice construction and renovation project teams to go green in markets that may otherwise be resistant. These

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Marketing Assistance: Developers and owners of green buildings, and neighborhoods, can gain from the increased

marketability of third-party certified, high-performance green real estate. In recognition of the unique marketability

of green neighborhoods, some municipalities and counties are offering free marketing assistance, including signage,

awards, and recognition on city websites, press releases and other means to help green builders rent and sell their

properties more effectively.

Educate Stakeholders

General Staff Education: Beyond designating individuals with extensive green expertise, providing a modest level

of training to all staff involved in the review and approvals process is a simple, low-cost way to signal your jurisdic-

tion’s commitment to green to developers and the general public, and ensure that all staff members recognize key

green development strategies in new project applications.

Educate local officials: Officials who are appointed by elected officials may have a high turnover rate because of

election changes. Regular educational programs for officials, such as planning and zoning board members improve

the chances of green development being implemented.

The following tools are recommended to help promote sustainable land use:

Official Map of streets, drainage, flood control basins and public areas.

Natural Resource Inventory and Maps

Community Facilities Map

Historic Resources Inventory

Identification of Stable versus distressed areas –

opportunities for revitalization through redevelopment or

rehabilitation

Existing non-preserved and preserved farmland

Transportation network

Water and Wastewater capacity

Identifying and Remediating Contaminated Sites

Tools for Sustainable Land Use Planning

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The following analyses are recommended to foster sustainable land use planning and development:

Compile Data

Land development projects, e.g., LEED for Neighborhood Development projects, are concerned with accessing high

quality information about project site and vicinity characteristics. Common information needed to complete a green

development project includes items like street centerline files, water and wastewater infrastructure maps, parcel

development histories, historic building and cultural landscape designations, and bicycle paths. Your jurisdiction can

greatly assist the project in gathering this data by centralizing as much as possible or by training staff with oversight of

this information on what to expect from project teams that need this information for a certification submittal.

Additionally, if your jurisdiction does not have robust, updated geographic data (for use in Geographic Information

Systems), building this database of information will be invaluable to future project teams.

Build–out (or Trends) Analysis of Growth and Development

The trends analysis demonstrates what the community will look like in the future with current zoning in place. The

purpose of the endeavor is to illustrate to the municipality the development potential of its community and any land

constraints imposed by existing development, zoning ordinances, and regulated or preserved natural and cultural

resources. A description of the future based on current policies provides a valuable baseline against which to compare

alternative growth scenarios that can reflect community stakeholder priorities and vision options.

Capacity Analysis

A Capacity Analysis evaluates the capacity of environmental and infrastructure systems to sustain future inhabitants.

Environmental capacity-based planning recognizes both the environmental limits and opportunities for growth.

Environmental limits may include drinking water and available sewer service capacity. Opportunities may include the

redevelopment of brownfield sites or the preservation of open space and natural resources, including rare plant and

animal species and ecological communities. One action would be to determine if current zoning and land use plans

can sustain current and projected populations and development based on current and future water supply and

treatment. If inconsistencies are found, adjust zoning and land use plans to be consistent with current and future water

supply and treatment.

Recommendations for Further Study

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Calthorpe, Peter. 1993. The Next American Metropolis; Ecology, Community and the American Dream, Princeton

University Press.

Duany, Andres and Jeff Speck with Mike Lydon. 2010. The Smart Growth Manual, McGraw Hill, NY.

LEED 2009 for Neighborhood Development Rating System, created by the Congress for New Urbanism, Natural

Resources Defense Council, and the US Green Building Council. http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?

CMSPageID=148

“A Local Government Guide to LEED for Neighborhood Development” (US Green Building Council, 2010; http://

www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=6131)

Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. 2009. Urban Planning Tools for Climate Change Mitigation, http://

www.lincolninst.edu/pubs/1573_Urban-Planning-Tools

Municipal Master Plans:

Sustainable West Windsor Plan, West Windsor Twp., NJ (http://www.westwindsornj.org/EC-sustainability.html)

Strategic Plan for a Sustainable Hillsborough, First Draft, February 6, 2008, Hillsborough Twp., NJ (http://

sustainablehillsborough.com/Plan/CommunityGoals/GoalDetails/tabid/64/Default.aspx?goal=19)

State Resources

NJDCA, Office of Smart Growth, Municipal Plan Endorsement Guidelines, Adopted October 17, 2007 Revised February

2010 http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/osg/plan/pe.html

NJDEP, Office of Planning and Sustainable Communities http://www.nj.gov/dep/opsc/envcbp.html

NJ Future Smart Growth Scorecard/Municipal Review http://www.njfuture.org/Media/Docs/municipal_card.pdf

New Jersey Office of Smart Growth http://www.nj.gov/dca/osg/

Planning for the Environs of a Center – A Case Study of Woolwich Twp, Gloucester Co., Office of State Planning

Memo, Vol III, No. 4, May/ June/July 1997 http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/osg/docs/environsworkbook060196.pdf

Non Profit Organizations

Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, Acting Locally, Municipal Tools for Environmental Protection

-- Site Plan Review: Procedures for Environmental Analysis; Planning: Build-Out and Capacity Analysis http://

www.anjec.org/pdfs/SG_Planning.pdf

Smart Communities Network, Land Use Codes/Ordinances, http://www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/landuse/

lucodtoc.shtml

Smart Growth Online. The Smart Growth Network provides a clearinghouse of smart growth-related news, resources,

tools, and other information. www.smartgrowth.org

Sustainable Jersey Program. Sustainable Land Use Pledge. http://sustainablejersey.com/actionlist.php

Additional Resources

19


US Environmental Protection Agency

USEPA Smart Growth Program. http://www.epa.gov/dced/

USEPA. 2010. Draft, Smart Growth – A Guide to Developing and Implementing Greenhouse Gas Reduction Programs;

Local Government

Climate and Energy Strategy Guides. http://www.epa.gov/slclimat/documents/pdf/smart_growth_guide.pdf

USEPA. Nov 2009. Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Urban and Suburban Zoning Codes. EPA 231-K-09-003. http://

www.epa.gov/dced/

essential_fixes.htm

USEPA. August 2009. Managing Wet Weather with Green Infrastructure, Municipal Handbook Water Quality Score-

card, EPA- 833-B-09-004 http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=298

USEPA Water Quality Scorecard (http://www.epa.gov/dced/water_scorecard.htm)

LAN

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Housing

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Providing quality homes for economically diverse

families in NJ continues to be a challenge for many

communities. Success stories have approached the issue

from many angles, taking into consideration the location

of housing in relation to access to transportation, jobs,

shopping, schools, and other services. The first step in

providing homes that meet the needs of all economic

segments of the local and regional population is to

remove the obstacles that hinder this development. A

variety of housing options, from single family homes,

duplexes, to apartments, including housing affordable to

people with low, moderate and middle incomes, and those

with special needs, is vital to allow residents to live and

work in the same municipality.

Collaboration among a design team beginning in the

planning stages of a project ensures that all aspects of

community development, including green housing design,

are incorporated into the housing plan. Green building

has been shown to improve the health and well-being of

occupants. There is documentation linking health to

indoor environmental quality. It has been shown that

green buildings lower utility bills over time, resulting in a

return on investment. At the project level, aspects such

as: site selection; connecting to and building community;

water quality; landscaping; building orientation and

massing; passive heating and cooling; building envelope;

weatherization; building interior and floor plans; building

systems; lighting; energy-efficient appliances; renewable

energy production; water conservation; resource efficient

materials; construction waste reduction; and indoor

environmental quality should become a part of an

iterative design process beginning in the planning stage of

project development.

Across the nation housing needs are changing because

demographics are changing, with smaller families and

single households seeking smaller, less expensive

housing near jobs and transportation. According to the NJ

Housing Opportunities Task Force Report (March 2010),

there are three major housing demand sectors in the

current decade: foreign-born minorities, now primarily

relying on the existing stock of urban housing; aging

‘Baby Boomers’ born between 1946 and 1964 who will

be seeking more affordable housing in retirement

communities and downsized homes and apartments; and

the young adult market, the ‘Baby Boomer Echo’

generation, those born between 1977 and 1995.

Housing cost factored as a percentage of income is used as

a measure of affordability. Traditionally, a home is

considered affordable when its costs consume no more

than 30% of household income. By taking into account

both the cost of housing (H) as well as the cost of

transportation (T) associated with the location of the

home, H+T provides a more complete understanding of

affordability. The Center for Neighborhood Technology

created an H+T Index, defining an affordable range for

H+T as the combined costs consuming no more than

45% of income.

Why a Sustainable Housing Plan Matters

HO

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Growth in Jersey City, Hudson County,

NJ has incorporated a variety of housing

types with transportation options

A house is a home when it shelters

the body and comforts the soul.

- Phillip Moffitt

22


Think regionally, act locally;

Live where you work;

Provide housing types for a variety of

income and age groups;

Promote compact and clustered residential

development and mixed-use development;

Reuse existing buildings and sites for

redevelopment;

Plan housing near places of employment,

transportation, recreation and community

facilities;

Preserve existing housing stock;

Build green and environmentally sustainable

homes with universal design in all housing;

and

Protect historic, cultural and scenic

community features.

Key Concepts

Municipalities can increase housing choices not only by

modifying their land use patterns on newly-developed

land, but preferably by increasing housing supply in

existing neighborhoods and on land served by existing

infrastructure. Implementation strategies to encourage

sustainable affordable housing should include:

Revising zoning codes as necessary to permit a

variety of housing types for a variety of

demographics;

Allowing for accessory dwelling units, elder housing,

in addition to main dwelling units on residential lots

without affecting density;

Providing a density bonus to encourage affordable

rental units;

Implementing a program to identify and rehabilitate

substandard and vacant and abandoned buildings for

both residential and non-residential uses;

Adopting a Property Maintenance Code that stipulates

enforcement of maintenance with respect to structure

or property such that conditions, including, without

limitation, structural deterioration, lack of

maintenance of the exterior of premises, infestations

of vermin do not become injurious to the public

health, safety and welfare;

Considering municipally owned property, tax sales

and foreclosures for opportunities to provide

affordable housing;

Encouraging new development to consider green

building practices (e.g., solar-oriented, energy and

water-efficient design of buildings, lower impact site

design), and universal design of housing units; and

Include affordable housing in any new residential

construction project to the maximum extent feasible.


Thanks to digital technology, climate

change concerns, and corporate layoffs,

demand is rising for homes that

accommodate today's entrepreneurs.

23


To help facilitate implementation, the municipality

should also prepare the following inventories and

maps:

Land use and Zoning Maps;

Existing and proposed restricted low- and

moderate income housing, low- to moderate-

income CDBG areas, and existing substandard

housing;

Natural Resources Inventory;

Transportation network map;

Open space, parks, recreation, cultural, historic

and scenic resources maps;

Existing and preserved farmland map;

Community facilities map;

An Official Map (per NJ Municipal Land Use

Law, NJSA 40:55D-32);

Inventory of Brownfields / Grayfields; and

Inventory of stable versus distressed areas –

opportunities for revitalization through

rehabilitation or redevelopment.

To further help facilitate implementation, the

municipality should also conduct the following

studies:

Community health characteristics;

Public safety and crime statistics;

Education, research and other institutions;

Infrastructure capacity: water and sewer;

Municipal housing stock and demographics:

Projection of municipal housing stock,

including probable future construction of

low, moderate and middle income housing

and the municipality’s capacity to

accommodate it;

Existing and proposed housing locations,

any environmental impacts to residents, and

especially to socially vulnerable populations

(low-income, senior), and mitigating

strategies, including input from those

stakeholders;

Existing and probable future jobs-to-housing

ratio;

Income to housing costs;

Lands that are most appropriate for

construction of low- and moderate-income

housing and of the existing structures most

appropriate for conversion to, or

rehabilitation for, low- and moderate-income

housing; and

Municipality’s regional fair share obligation of

low- and moderate-income housing and an

assessment of its capacity to accommodate that

obligation.

Mapping resources, transportation, open space,

environmental constraints, etc., is key to see how

a communities pieces fit together and where the

opportunities to improve it are.

Tools for Sustainable Housing Planning Recommendations for

Further Study

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Strategic Plan for a Sustainable Hillsborough, First Draft, February 6, 2008, Hillsborough Twp., NJ

(http://www. sustainablehillsborough.com/) Vision for the Future

Urban Land Institute: Research and Publications http://www.uli.org/

American Planning Association: Planning Advisory Service [#516] – ‘Jobs-Housing Balance’ http://

openlibrary.org/b/OL8702082M

Smart Communities Network: Creating Energy Smart Communities http://

www.smartcommunities.ncat.org/welcome.shtml

New Jersey Green Homes Office http://www.state.nj.us/dca/hmfa/gho/about/

Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) http://www.cnt.org

NJDEP’s I-MapNJ http://www.nj.gov/dep/gis/depsplash.htm

NJ Department of Environmental Protection Data Miner http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/reports-

list.html

Environmental Defense Fund’s “Scorecard” http://www.scorecard.org/

NJ Digital Legal Library http://njlegallib.rutgers.edu/mtlaurel/aboutmtlaurel.php

EPA Environmental Justice Geographic Assessment Tool http://www.epa.gov/compliance/

environmentaljustice/assessment.html


25


Circulat ionCirculat ion

26


Transportation and circulation are critical to the quality of

life in our communities, serving many purposes, including

providing local and regional mobility, offering access to

homes, shopping and businesses, and supporting economic

growth. The influence of street systems on urban form

predates the automobile era. Road and street networks help

knit places together, while others form barriers. Street

systems also influence how a community functions. They

shape local land use patterns, the form of the various

districts, the level of access that can be provided to

destinations, and the design and function of individual

places.

State and local roads suffer congestion due to plans and

decisions made by many government agencies. State and

local governments will never be able to solve congestion by

building more, wider and faster roads. Under this model,

there will never be sufficient financial resources to supply

the demand for capacity. Sprawling land uses will continue

to create congestion faster than roadway capacity can be

increased. A sustainable Circulation Plan addresses capacity

through integrated land use and transportation planning,

steering the focus of transportation planning toward multi-

modal solutions.

A mix of land uses with homes, offices, public buildings,

and shopping all located in close proximity means that there

are fewer and shorter automobile trips. It also means that

residents can walk, bike or use public transit. Fewer cars

and trips mean less traffic and congestion in the community

as well as reduced harmful carbon dioxide emissions being

released into the atmosphere. Walking and biking become

part of a healthier routine.

Why a Sustainable Circulation Plan Matters

Roadways have many purposes, including providing

local and regional mobility, offering access to homes

and businesses, and supporting economic growth, but

are not the only means of necessary transportation. A

sustainable Circulation Plan element provides goals

for users of all modes of mobility throughout a

community; urban, suburban or rural. Goals can be

geared toward enhancing the identity of a place,

physical movement of getting people from one place

to the next and efficiently, reducing the number of

motor vehicles on roadways, protecting rural

roadways for scenic value, or providing access to a

variety of forms of transportation and mobility.

Another means of achieving these qualities is through

the implementation of a “Complete Streets” program

on one or more streets within a community.

According to Sustainable Jersey, Complete Streets

have numerous environmental, safety, and health

benefits. Designing roadways that are inclusive of all

appropriate forms of transportation can reduce serious

injuries and fatalities by lowering the number of

speeding drivers and providing access and

accommodation for all potential travelers. Safer

roadways encourage residents to walk and bike more

often, which can greatly improve their health.

Increased walking, biking and transit use also cuts

carbon dioxide emissions and reduces reliance on

fossil fuels. According to the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA), if one average driver leaves

the car at home just two days a week, greenhouse gas

emissions will be reduced by 1600 pounds per year.

Key Concepts

Sustainable communities allow people to live

closer to jobs and save money on personal

transportation… Neighborhoods that make it

easy to walk or bike to work, school, stores,

parks, and other destinations help people stay

healthy by incorporating regular exercise into

their daily routines

– Partnership for Sustainable Communities

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In any given community, approximately 30 percent of the

residents cannot or have chosen not to drive. They may be

too young; they may have decided to “give up the keys” due

to poor health or advancing age; they may be physically

handicapped; or they may have simply made a lifestyle or

economic choice not to own or operate a car. These citizens

need places to walk, bicycle, and use public transportation.

They need Complete Streets.

To summarize, a Complete Streets program can:

Gradually create a complete network of transportation

facilities.

Provide an equitable transportation system that serves all

residents.

Shift transportation investments so safer, better

functioning streets are created.

Save money in the long run (because doing it right the

first time costs less than retrofitting a project later).

Encourage healthy habits by making it easier to walk

and bicycle.

Provide more transportation options and reduce traffic

congestion, thus increasing the capacity of the overall

transportation network.

Improve air quality by cutting down on harmful carbon

dioxide and other vehicle emissions.2

Include parking solutions with both on- and off street

parking for motor vehicles and bicycles in order to

minimize hazards for pedestrians and bicyclists.

NJ has one of the most extensive statewide public

transportation systems in the country. Designing streets,

parking, and transit stops to consider form before function is

important to place-making and should be a focus of any

transportation or circulation plan. A sustainable Circulation

Plan should integrate land use and transportation through

context-sensitive design, noting that:

In some of the more rural portions of the state, public

transportation might consist of buses and park-and-ride

facilities;

Suburban communities with commuter rail lines and bus

routes can provide enhanced pedestrian and bicycle

connections to transportation facilities;

Planning for all modes of transportation

is key. As we do, it is important to think

people first as people drive cars, access

parking lots, cross streets, and so on...

28


American Planning Association

Urban areas of the state require consistency and continuity among the transfer stations to provide more effective

commuter options; and

Providing access to public transportation and to nearby housing, employment, and services should remain a priority

for all communities as a means of creating community around transportation other than the single-occupancy

vehicle.

Reducing the number of single-occupancy vehicles on roadways is an important objective of connected climate, smart

growth and public health goals, because:

Fewer vehicles on roads provide for cleaner air and water, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and lower heat island

impacts in urban areas;

Reducing the number of motor vehicle can increase safety, by decreasing the potential for motor vehicle accidents

and accidents with pedestrians and bicycles. It is important for communities to encourage pedestrians and bicycle

travel and provide awareness campaigns to motor vehicle drivers;

Improving transportation systems for all users before constructing new roadways will encourage the single–

occupancy vehicle driver to reconsider using the public transit system;

Where roadways are in disrepair and increasing traffic congestion is a problem, improving these existing roadways

and intersections before constructing new ones will make roadway travel more effective;

Strategies such as demand based ride sharing and programmatic changes to services offered (e.g., consolidating

system operations) might be a solution to reduce single-occupancy vehicular travel.

Roadways in NJ also serve as scenic routes for enjoyment, in addition to travel. For instance, they can be used for:

Preserving the character of rural areas includes preserving and properly maintaining roads that are still rural, narrow

and dirt roads.

Signage along routes that are important to the state’s history should be encouraged for cultural and historic

preservation, as well as for general travel needs.

The value of country roads is in the unique visual experience they offer.

29


The MLUL gives little guidance on

preparing the master plan circulation element. In many

master plans, the circulation element may be a roadway

inventory and some engineering designs. Frequently,

there is little recognition of the different functions of

roadways or of the land uses that adjoin them.

The intent of the master plan is to provide a land use

strategy that can be served easily by infrastructure. The

most effective local transportation plans look beyond

the street system and recognize the many linkages

between transportation and community life in its varied

forms. This means considering not only travel needs,

but the specific ways in which transportation tends to

structure activities and spaces throughout a municipality

and the region. It means considering how current

development decisions will affect community mobility

and people’s daily experiences for decades into the

future.

C r e a t e a t r a n s p o r t a t i o n

committee to address needs for

existing and future public

transportation, bicycle and

pedestrian users.

P r o m o t e m o b i l i t y a n d

community for more than

transportation alone. This should

include Circulation, Shopping

Streets, Parking, Transit Stops,

Neighborhoods, Public Places,

and the Natural Environment.

Circulation strategies should

include multiuse streets, connectivity among all

modes of transportation, safety for pedestrians,

cyclists, and motorists, signage that is legible and

easily interpreted, and design sensitivity among

roads and bridges with the surrounding

environment.

Shopping streets should create an identity through

the practice of place-making, creating interest at

the ends of shopping streets with destination

points, multi-user parking preferably to the rear of

structures, and safe connections between parking,

transit, neighborhoods, and shopping itself.

Establish a Parking Demand Management Plan that

provides a realistic scale and routinely includes

bicycle parking, parking areas that are integrated

with surrounding land uses, shared parking and

driveways for efficiency, and access to loading

areas for truck delivery.

Transit stops for buses, taxis, ferries, light rail and

trains should be easily accessible, recognizable

from a distance, comfortable and attractive, and

should support activities and services within close

proximity to the transit stop. For instance, housing

and employment centers should be located within

walking distance of transit stops.

Promote community form through a mix of uses

and housing diversity, neighborhood schools

connected with housing along safe

routes, pedestrian access to

conveniences within a neighborhood,

and street characteristics that are

scaled to the types and placement of

neighborhood buildings.

Provide visibility to parks and

plaza from adjacent streets. Use design

features to highlight and connect these

areas; offer visitors places to walk and

sit.

While access to the natural

environment is important in cities and

suburbs, so too are boundaries such as

greenbelts and wildlife corridors that

protect fragile wildlife habitats.

Develop transportation standards that incorporate a

“green streets” approach to roadway design.

Guidelines for rural road modifications should

provide user safety, long-range reduction of

maintenance costs, and a roadway that is

attractively integrated with the roadside and

surrounding landscape.


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To help facilitate implementation, the municipality should consider instituting a Complete Streets Policy for the town. In

the State�’s Complete Streets Policy, the NJ Department of Transportation recognized these benefits of complete streets:

�

Complete Streets improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists, children, older citizens, non-drivers and the mobility

challenged as well as those that cannot afford a car or choose to live car free

Provide connections to bicycling and walking trip generators such as employment, education, residential, recreation,

retail centers and public facilities

Promote healthy lifestyles

Create more livable communities

Reduce traffic congestion and reliance on carbon fuels thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Complete Streets make fiscal sense by incorporating sidewalks, bike lanes, safe crossings and transit amenities into

the initial design of a project, thus sparing the expense of retrofits later

The town may also want to conduct a gap assessment of sidewalks, roadways, and on-road and off-road bike and

walking paths.


To help facilitate implementation, the municipality should also prepare the following inventories and maps:

Listing of roads and their functions

Traffic Characteristics

Travel requirements – identify safe and reasonable speeds at which traffic should travel along various roads; required

maintenance year-round (e.g. mowing, clearing snow, pot-hole fixes, etc.)

Land Uses adjacent to the roadways, potential changes to use and intensity of use, and compatible modifications

Scenic quality of a country road should be documented according to types of vegetation, topography, geology,

surface waters, unique natural areas, wildlife, manmade features and visual qualities.

Safety factors on each roadway, such as number and severity of accidents; the cause of accidents; fixed objects

adjacent to roadways; conflicts with pedestrians, bicycles, or vehicles; and inadequate sight distance.

Tools for Sustainable Circulation Planning

31



American Planning AssociationAmerican Planning Association

Programs such as Complete Streets and Safe Routes to

School are resources that provide guidance for all

communities. The American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act also provided financial support and

guidance for roadway projects in all states in the US.

New Jersey is fortunate to have a Department of

Transportation that has considered transportation and

sustainability and it is a leader in efforts to integrate

transportation and land use issues, and understands that

the “wider and faster” approach to road construction will

not solve the problem.

The New Jersey and Pennsylvania Departments of

Transportation have developed the Smart Transportation

Guidebook: Planning and Designing Highways and

Streets that Support Sustainable and Livable

Communities that provides guidance on sustainable

transportation and circulation to state and local

governments.

According to the Guidebook, Smart Transportation

should manage capacity by better integrating land use

and transportation planning. With this Guidebook, New

Jersey and Pennsylvania are working together to link

land use context to roadway values, and to establish

common design guidelines. The desire to go “through” a

place must be balanced with the desire to go “to” a

place.

Smart Transportation recommends a new approach to

roadway planning and design, in which transportation

investments are tailored to the specific needs of each

project. The different contexts - financial, community,

land use, transportation, and environmental - determine

the design of the solution. The best transportation

solution arises from a process in which a multi-

disciplinary team, considering a range of solutions,

works closely with the community. Inclusive of context-

sensitive solutions (CSS), Smart Transportation also

encompasses network connectivity, and access and

corridor management.

The Smart Transportation Guidebook has potential

application for a wide range of users in New Jersey:

Metropolitan Planning Organizations to serve as

guidelines for integrated land use and transportation

studies.

NJDOT – to serve as guidelines for applying the

NJDOT design manuals in a context sensitive

manner.

Municipalities and Counties – to serve as guidelines

for land use and roadway development projects.

Developers – to provide tools to realize “smart

growth” goals for developments.

Residents of New Jersey – to guide community

development so they understand their role in the

transportation project development process.

Smart Transportation Guidebook: Planning and

Designing Highways and Streets that Support

Sustainable and Livable Communities

NJ DOT Mobility and Community Form: A Guide

to Linking Transportation and Land Use in the

Municipal Master Plan http://www.state.njus/

transportation/community/mobility/

Smart Codes: Model Land-Development

Regulations, Marya Morris, General Editor.

American Planning Associations, Planning

Advisory Service Report Number 556. April 2009.

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Farmland

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Why a Sustainable Farmland Plan Matters

Historically, the majority of NJ lands were in

agricultural usage. As the State developed into

residential and commercial uses, those agricultural

lands were sold for development. Nearby uses

became incompatible with farming. But, agriculture

in New Jersey accounts for $82 billion of the state’s

economy, ranking 3rd among the top industries in the

state.10 NJ has just over 10,000 farms with 733,450

acres in productive farmland; although more farms

are being preserved every year, increasing acres have

also been lost to development.

There is an opportunity in New Jersey for the State to

become self-sustaining with regard to agriculture and

food production. With the rising trend of organic and

local produce in supermarkets, New Jersey farms can

accommodate the niche markets, as well as the mass

markets for produce, wool, dairy products, fruits, and

many other specialty items. Proximity to major

consumption markets, particularly New York and

Philadelphia, make New Jersey uniquely situated to

improve its branding as “The Garden State.”

According to the NJ Department of Agriculture,

farmers in NJ produce over 80 different kinds of fruits

and vegetables for local and world-wide consumption.

Nationally, NJ is one of the top ten producers of

blueberries, cranberries, peaches, tomatoes, bell

peppers, cucumbers, snap beans, spinach, and squash.

Vineyards are also a growing segment of the industry,

enabling the state’s more than 32 vintners to develop

a wide variety of award-winning NJ wines.

NJ farmers can partner with schools and hospitals to

provide local produce, to develop farmers’ markets

for residents, to develop new products to meet market

demand, and to educate consumers about healthier

and more cost effective approaches to food. To make

agriculture viable and sustainable, municipalities

must play a vital role in educating its residents,

promoting innovative methods of farming, and

assisting implementation of Agricultural Management

Practices.10

Farming looks mighty easy when

your plow is a pencil and you’re a

thousand miles from the corn field.

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

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Agriculture is a critically important resource in NJ. The State Right to Farm law provides protections for farming from

nuisance suits, unnecessary regulation and certain licensing requirements. The State is committed to maintaining its

agricultural base. The agricultural industry generates billions of dollars in revenue, while saving the cost of services that

would otherwise have to be provided to residences and businesses. Preserving land to continue agricultural endeavors,

having a new generation of farmers willing to work in the agricultural industry, and improving local markets for Jersey

products, contribute to the future of the agricultural industry.

Key Concepts


Adopt a Farmland Preservation Plan

Prioritize large, contiguous lands that are already in

agricultural production or that could be used for

farming, without destroying natural resources such as

forests and wetlands.

Dedicate local funds for preserving agricultural land.

Develop a Deer Management strategy

New Jersey farmers suffer millions of dollars of crop

losses annually due to deer browse, because deer are

drawn to cultivated crops in a compact location.

Allowing increased hunting opportunities is important

to control deer population. Preserving productive

farmland, without properly managing it, will not

strengthen the objectives of preservation in the long

term. Although other farm “pests” must be minimized,

the biggest problem to farm crop loss is deer feeding.

Reduction of Pesticides and Improvement in Water

Quality

Organic farming should be considered an educational

priority for local farms.

Reduction in pesticides through Integrated Pest

Management practices will improve water quality, soil

quality, and farm animal health.

Recent studies have shown that weeds resistant to

normal pesticides and herbicides, such as “Round-Up”

have developed; this makes it harder for farmers to

control weeds, control erosion by avoiding continual

plowing and avoid increased pollution in waterways.

Green Energy, Biofuels and Alternative Energy Sources

Consider alternative energy sources, such as solar panels,

wind generation (particularly on higher silos and barns),

and other alternative energy sources.

Protection of Water Supply

Water is a primary component in any type of farming

activity, and must be conserved and properly used in

order to provide continued supply.

The State of New Jersey grants agricultural well water

supply permits for farming activities which have less

regulatory requirements than potable water supplies for

humans.

Use of water conservation techniques and less

impervious cover on farms can provide long-term

benefits for future farm uses.

Developing Innovative Practices and Local Markets

Encourage non-traditional farming activities, such as

wool production by llamas, alpacas, sheep, agri-tourism

for year-round agricultural support, farm visits by school

groups and others who have not had exposure to the food

supply chain.

Publicize Local Food-Source Efforts and connect with

schools, hospitals, social services groups and other

established community organizations. Publicity can occur

through local newspapers, municipal websites, flyers and

signs.

Provide a municipal on-line inventory of community

gardens, urban farms, farm stands and other sources of

fresh food, so residents can easily find the nearest fresh-

food location.

35



Reduce the need for long-range transport of

food by encouraging local food production

A set of sample spreadsheets were developed by the

Metrics Fellow so that farmers and gardeners

anywhere can collect their data and report on the

following 6 indicators:11

1. $ dollars earned from farmers market sales

2. # pounds of food produced

3. # pounds of food waste collected to create compost

4. # of people trained in job skills

5. # of person-hours spent working at the farm or

garden

6. # of person-hours spent working at the farm or

garden by age


Support and Encourage Food Cooperatives.

Farmers with similar products should be encouraged

to network and develop cooperatives.

Resources for networking include a municipal

Agricultural Advisory Committee, or the County

Agricultural Development Board.

Establish a cooperative to reduce costs and improve

marketability for small NJ farms.

Encouraging a New Generation of Farmers

Ease zoning restrictions on some uses on farms, but

strive for adherence to those uses which are protected by

Right to Farm rules.

Zoning ordinances to generate income for non-farming

activities which do not detract from other agricultural

activities, can also be considered for very small areas on

farms.

Uses such as cell towers on existing farm buildings,

roadside stands near farms, but not to extend beyond a

small percentage of the activities on the land.

Provide technical assistance by partnering with

academic, business and non-profit groups to connect

communities and farmers with guides for cost-effective

and sustainable farming.

Increase access to, and promote, local food products.

Provide incentives such as transportation and housing,

for agricultural workers to more readily assist farmers.

Connect landowners to farmers seeking to lease land for

farming.

FAR

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Tools for Sustainable Farmland

Preservation Planning

To help facilitate implementation, the municipality should

also prepare the following inventories and maps:

� $ GRSW� D� ) DUP ODQG� 3UHVHUYDWLRQ� 3ODQ�

Develop a Deer Management strategy

Reduction of Pesticides and Improvement in Water

Quality

Green Energy, Biofuels and Alternative Energy

Sources

Protection of Water Supply

Developing Innovative Practices and Local Markets

Encouraging a New Generation of Farmers

Reduce the need for long-range transport of food by

encouraging local food production

To help facilitate implementation, the municipality should

conduct studies regarding the town’s access to local food

production. This access should be afforded to all, but special

care should be taken to ensure this access to vulnerable

populations, especially low-income and urban households.

Most food is produced hundreds, sometimes thousands of

miles from where it is consumed requiring significant energy

consumption for handling, transportation and storage and

resulting in significant food waste from spoilage during its

journey.



Agricultural Management Practices for Agriculture set standards for operation of agricultural industries to meet, in order to be

considered a “commercial farm” within the protections of the Right to Farm Act. There are extensive protections for

commercial farms under the NJ Right to Farm Act, such as protection from nuisance suits, local pesticide application

regulations, interference from neighbors, noise ordinances, and others. New Jersey has made a commitment to protect its

farmers, but farmers must also comply with Management Practices promulgated by the SADC. Not all farming operations

have AMPs yet developed. Among those which have been adopted are the following:

Apiary AMP (NJAC 2:76-2A.2)

Applies to Honey Bees. Colonies cannot exceed a maximum of 50 per acre; they must have an adequate water supply

within a ½ mile distance.

Poultry manure AMP (NJAC 2:76-2A.2)

This AMP requires heavy waterproof material for storing temporary manure; concrete bunkers bins are necessary for long-

term storage. There are requirements for soil testing, soil fertility, seasonal applications, etc when spreading manure

Food processing by-product land application AMP (NJAC 2:76-2A.4)

This strictly regulates the application of residuals and vegetative matter from food processing when used as a fertilizer.

Nitrogen composition must be tested and soil permeability, drainage, slope, farmland conservation plans, among others,

must be considered.

Commercial vegetable production AMP (NJAC 2:76-2A.5)

Rutgers Cooperative Extension prepared recommendations in 2000, updated in 2009, for production of commercial

vegetable production.

37


However, application of sewage sludge was exempted from these recommendations. The application of sludge should be

properly managed and can have an impact on sustainably protecting the environment.

Commercial Tree Fruit Production AMP (NJAC 2:76- 2A.6)

The SADC has adopted the recommendations of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension dated 2000, updated in 2009, for

tree fruit production.

Natural resource conservation AMP (NJAC 2-78-2A.7)

The SADC has authorized the Soil Conservation Districts to assist development and implementation of a farm

conservation plan for the conservation and development of soil, water and related natural resources on a farm. Sewage-

sludge applications are not considered part of the AMP. Forestry practices must include those recommended by NJDEP.

This AMP provides an all-purpose sustainability approach to farm management.

AMP for on-farm compost operations on commercial farms (NJAC 2:76-2A.8)

Biosolids cannot be part of the compost mixture. Compost cannot be sold to non-farm users. Production and/or use of

compost must comply with NJ Water Pollution Control Act. Location of any compost product must comply with a

Farm Conservation Plan.

Fencing installation AMP for wildlife control (NJAC 2:76-2A.9)

The SADC has adopted the recommendations from the Rutgers Extension Cooperative Service for installing high-

tensile and electric fences for wildlife control. Any other type of fencing must be approved by the CADB.

AMP for equine activities on commercial farms (NJAC2:76-2A.10)

This rule regulates the type of feeding regime used on a farm for horses, management of manure, maintenance of

water quality, reduction in flies, manure distribution, dust control, fencing, and environmental concerns, such as

having no manure within 100 feet of any waterway. Not all equine activities qualify for protection under the Right to

Farm Act, i.e. boarding horses and giving lessons do not qualify an operation as a commercial farm which would

allow Right to Farm protections.

Aquaculture AMP (NJAC 2:76-2A.11)

The SADC has adopted the “Recommended Management Practices for Aquatic Farms “as mandatory practices for

protection under the Right to Farm Act. This publication was developed by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension in

2004. However, the section on importation of aquatic organisms has been excluded from this practice.

Animal Waste Management Practices and Rules (NJAC 2:91 et seq).

The State of New Jersey has adopted a “Best Management Practices” manual for disposing of Animal Waste in order

to best use manure and protect water quality. These rules were adopted as part of a Memorandum of Agreement with

the United States Environmental Protection Agency, to reduce point and non-point source pollution.

Use Animal Waste Best Practices to promote sustainability for farms, farmers and all residents of NJ, so that clean

water is available for agricultural endeavors in the future.

All owners of farm animal units (whereby 1000 lbs of animal is a “unit”) must prepare and keep available an Animal

Waste Plan.

Owners with fewer than eight animal units can prepare their own plans; farmers with eight or more animal units must

get their plans approved by the Natural Resources Conservation District, and a greater number of animal units need

NJDEP approval.

FAR

MLA

ND

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Open Space

& Recreat ion

www.capeatlantic.org

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Think of “open spaces as part of a broad web of human

activity and ecology, from private to public, from

intensive use to neglect.”12 Open spaces can form the

infrastructure for the developed spaces; as opposed to

the other way around. Open spaces, soils, and preserved

land allow sustainable landscapes for people and for

wildlife. Protecting open spaces in all communities,

however densely populated, is critical in planning

sustainable communities.

“Open space” is a broad term that typically means

natural areas that may be available to the public and

include public parks, golf courses, gardens, and trails

providing active and passive use The rapid pace of

development over the past few decades in New Jersey

has created urgency for the State to focus on open space

preservation. Open space, should be considered a

resource which provides areas for wildlife habitat,

aquifer recharge, cleaner water, scenic qualities,

agricultural areas, passive and active recreation, and a

framework for our built environment.

The community benefits of open space preservation

extend beyond environmental resources to property

values, job creation, and tourism. The New Jersey

Conservation Foundation finds that the average home

price increases 16 percent when it is located near

permanently preserved open space, and that $1,7 billion

is spent annually on wildlife recreation, 23 percent of the

total spent by tourists in New Jersey.13

New Jersey has actively pursued preservation of its open

space and recreation lands. New Jersey’s Municipal

Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-2) directs

municipalities to preserve open space, by purporting:

“Provide light, air and open space;”

“Provide sufficient space in appropriate locations for

a variety of agricultural, residential, recreational,

commercial and industrial uses and open space, both

public and private, according to their respective

environmental requirements in order to meet the

needs of all New Jersey citizens;” and

“Promote the conservation of historic sites and

districts, open space, energy resources and valuable

natural resources...and to prevent urban sprawl and

degradation of the environment through improper

use of the land.”14

The citizens of New Jersey have repeatedly supported

open space funding initiatives, both at the state level and

locally, through a series of bond issues and open space

taxes. The NJ Green Acres program is one mechanism

for preserving lands for recreation and conservation

purposes. Since its establishment in 1961, Green Acres

has preserved nearly 640,000 acres of open space and

funded hundreds of park development projects.15 Voters

approved a measure to also include “Blue Acres.” The

State encourages the acquisition of land in the floodways

of the Delaware River, the Passaic River, and the Raritan

River, their respective tributaries, and other areas of

New Jersey that are prone to flooding. Lands acquired

through this program are dedicated for passive recreation

and conservation purposes. Various counties and

municipalities also have open space trust funds to further

local preservation and recreation goals. These state and

local preservation programs can be leveraged in

cooperation with New Jersey’s wide range of nonprofit

land trusts and conservation organizations.

Open space and recreation is not limited to publicly

preserved open spaces. There is open space and

recreationally utilized lands throughout our

communities; these lands may be privately owned.

Although access to these types of open space lands may

not be available to the general public, they are generally

accessible to wildlife, both flora and fauna, and contain

other types of natural resources. Their value is intrinsic

and should not be overlooked when considering the

potential for green infrastructure.

Why a Sustainable Open Space Plan Matters

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By developing a comprehensive and integrated open space and recreation plan, a

municipality is able to focus its valuable financial resources on the lands that offer the

most benefits to the community. Each open space acquisition should be approached with

a specific purpose in mind and an understanding of how this particular land (and/or

water) area will contribute to the larger open space system and the overall sustainable

health of the community.

“Open space is not merely an amenity, a

frill among other necessities on the map

of a region, a watershed, or a

community. Rather it is the matrix

where most of the creatures in that

region or community live, and it affects

and controls and is affected by

everything else that is there.”

- Richard P. Kane, The Great Swamp

Watershed Association

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Open space is not just what is left over after

development is done; open space is a significant land

use and essential component of a sustainable

community. To understand open space as a land use is

a concept which involves thinking comprehensively

about how the built environment and the natural

environment relate to one another. Designating open

spaces within a planned network is the basis for a

multi-functional green infrastructure and should

properly be integrated within each component of a

sustainable master plan.

Link open space with the conservation plan,

recreation, natural resources, historic resources,

and community facilities to support one another

and service the municipality as a whole.

Adopt a smart conservation approach, strategically

targeting lands/water that will promote an overall

system of preserved and managed properties.

Strategically preserve open space at a watershed

level, integrating open space preservation with

water quality and stormwater management

planning across jurisdictional boundaries.

Working across jurisdictions can achieve a greater

benefit for multiple municipalities and counties.

Consider green infrastructure as a form of open

space, especially in urban areas. Green

infrastructure is an alternative to traditional “grey”

infrastructure which uses vegetation and soil to

manage rainwater where it falls, mimicking

natural systems while improving flood mitigation,

water and air quality.

Develop a ‘greenways’ plan with trail or

pedestrian systems to link open space, parks and

recreation areas. These linkages should be

provided in residential and commercial

neighborhoods, and foster accessibility to public

facilities such as schools, libraries, town halls, and

community buildings.

The ability to walk along a water body, without

actually touching the water, provides a valuable

rejuvenating activity. Map and provide access to

recreational and/or navigable water bodies where

applicable.

Map existing and targeted land/water areas to be

acquired.

Key Concepts

Open Spaces are an important component to any Great Place.Open Spaces are an important component to any Great Place.


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Achieving the goals and objectives of the open space

and recreation plan occurs with its development and

adoption by the municipality. Being clear about its goals

and objectives and laying out a plan for moving forward,

the municipality can organize its resources – both

resident support and financial support.

It is critical to include the citizenry in the development

of the open space and recreation plan because they can

provide a momentum to implement the plan. Ultimately

the residents who have a vested interest will support the

plan over time and help achieve the realization of a

sustainable open space and recreation plan. A

municipality may choose to place responsibility with the

environmental commission, the open space committee

and/or the planning board to initiate a plan. These

groups could be supplemented by an ad-hoc board

comprised of residents and business owners. The

allocation of funds to conduct the planning process

would most come from the governing body.

The open space and recreation plan should include an

executive summary, a list of goals and objectives, an

existing open space inventory, a needs analysis, an

assessment of existing facilities, an action plan for the

future, and supporting data and information. The plan

should receive extensive public review before adoption

by the Planning Board and should include strategies to:

Provide linkages to both active and passive

recreation.

Develop trail systems to connect all open space and

recreation lands/waters within the municipality.

Provide access to the open space system from

residential and commercial neighborhoods, as well

as public facilities.

Coordinate the open space system with the historic

preservation plan and historic districts to incorporate

cultural heritage opportunities as a form of

recreation.

Coordinate the open space system with the

municipal and regional circulation/mobility plans to

incorporate bicycle and pedestrian paths.

Coordinate the open space system with scenic

byways to encourage opportunities for bicycle and

pedestrian exercise.

Coordinate the municipal open space and recreation

system with adjacent municipalities and counties.

Develop a plan for future acquisition to complete the

open space and recreation system.

Promote sustainable stewardship of preserved lands/

waters.

Provide for low impact development stormwater

management as an element of the municipality’s

green infrastructure.

Provide for agricultural preservation within the

municipality’s open space system.

Provide easy access to maps of the open space and

recreation system, including trails and paths.

Provide opportunities for property owners to plan

for small patches of open space, for example,

volunteer efforts to green one’s own property.

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43


NJ Green Acres Program http://www.nj.gov/dep/greenacres/

New Jersey Conservation Foundation, http://www.njconservation.org/resources.htm

Garden State Preservation Trust, http://www.state.nj.us/gspt/

Garden State Greenways, http://www.gardenstategreenways.org/.

Great Swamp Watershed Association, http://www.greatswamp.org/

Trust for Public Land, http://www.tpl.org/publications/

Upper Deerfield’s Open Space and Recreation Plan, developed by DVRPC

http://www.upperdeerfield.org/07023%20-%20Open%20Space%20and%20Recreation%20Plan%20For%20Upper%20

Deerfield%20Township,%20Cumberland%20County,%20NJ.pdf

Pittsgrove’s Open Space and Recreation Plan, developed by Morris Land Conservancy (now Land Conservancy of

NJ)

http://www.pittsgrovetownship.com/Pittsgrove%20Open%20Space%20and%20Recreation%20Plan%20Jan%

202005.pdf

Maplewood Township’s Open Space and Recreation Plan

http://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/developments/Open%20Space%20and%20Recreation%20Plan%20Element%

20Sept%202008.pdf

Maryland Greenways Commission http://www.dnr.state.md.us/greenways/

The Conservation Fund, Kodak American Greenways Program http://www.conservationfund.org/node/245


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Conservat ion

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The development of land may negatively impact a

community’s environment as it requires the use of

energy and natural resources. The results of human

consumption and people pollution affect every aspect of

a community through the degradation air and water

quality, reducing wildlife habitat, and degrading the

ability of our natural systems to provide services, such

as sequestering carbon and recharging aquifers and

groundwater. Crafting a sustainable conservation plan

can intercept further damage to the environment by

establishing sustainable design objectives which

encourage greener development, preservation, and

rehabilitation or restoration practices to minimize

environmental impact. Recognizing the value of

maintaining a healthy ecosystem, a community can

become committed to protecting and enhancing natural

systems.

Conservation can have a larger impact when considered

on a regional scale. In New Jersey, conservation in areas

like the Highlands, Meadowlands and Pinelands works

to protect contiguous, environmentally sensitive areas

especially for the preservation of water supply and

wildlife habitat. Heightened regulations in these areas

prevent the regions from becoming overdeveloped and

risking the loss of important open spaces, diverse

wildlife and quality of drinking water. Conservation in

these sensitive areas however, allows for responsible

development elsewhere in the state, where it is more

appropriate to promote economic development and

growth. A sustainable Conservation Plan element will

take into consideration these factors on a regional scale

in order to protect the environment, while planning for

growth in existing urban areas.

Conventional urbanization increases impervious surface

area, reduces groundwater recharge, and increases

stormwater runoff. As outlined in the sustainable utilities

plan section, there are opportunities for communities to

encourage building and development that works with the

land, even in an urban environment. For example, as a

matter of public health, safety and welfare, a

municipality can model the intent of protecting the

environment by having pesticide-free zones where all

residents are assured a safe recreational environment.

Pesticide-free zones will greatly assist the reduction of

pollutants into our waterways. This could first be

implemented on governmental lands given the amount of

publicly-held land in NJ.

Contamination of water not only impairs wildlife habitat

and degrades recreational opportunities, but also

increases the costs associated with treating water to

create a potable supply for residents. No life can survive

without adequate, clean water. People do not want to

live or visit places with dirty water. Well Head

Protection of community wells that provide drinking

water to residents is a critical public health issue.

Contaminated public drinking water has been a

pervasive problem in many areas of New Jersey.

Municipalities can adopt ordinances for well-head

protection to avoid potentially polluting land uses

from being located near community drinking wells.

Preventing water pollution is easier and more cost

effective than cleaning dirty water and using bottled

water for everyday needs.

The same can be said for air quality. Of New Jersey’s

21 counties, 14 of them have failing (F) or just above

failing (D) grades for air quality.15 Serious health

consequences can result from particulates and

pollution in the air, including asthma, lung diseases,

eye irritation, and lower immunity to diseases.

Polluted air is recognized as a grave health risk.

Greenhouse gas emissions and the climate changes

associated with their accumulation in the atmosphere,

pose serious threats and challenges such as: rising sea

levels, changes in rainfall patterns, with both warmer,

dryer weather and more severe droughts and floods,

harsher hurricanes and other windstorms, and new

pathways for disease.

Why a Sustainable Conservation Plan Matters

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With the large amount of New Jersey’s capital invested in facilities, parks, roads, bridges, waterfronts, and water and

sewage networks, climate changes create significant risks for local governments. The reduction in the use of energy of

all types is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Although less recognized as pollution problems in New Jersey, the effects of noise and light pollution can have

serious negative environmental effects on people and wildlife. Increasing recognition of these issues should become

part of the discussion on sustainability. The natural environment is inter-connected and the effects of human activity

on all natural systems must be considered in a sustainable community.

Planning and preparing for a sustainable future requires education, action, and the participation of residents, municipal

officials and state agencies and officials. Protection of environmental resources is key to a sustainable existence.

People, wildlife and vegetation need clean water and clean air to survive. Reducing pollution and contaminants are

goals that must be achieved to provide for sustainability.

NJ has an abundance of natural resources which provide

a diversity of habitat for threatened, endangered and rare

species of wildlife. Protection of the state’s natural

environment allows residents of the state in urban,

suburban, and rural areas to have clean air, clean water,

adequate water supply, and a quality of life that is

enhanced by the continued maintenance of these natural

systems.

Sustainable communities must consider the impact of

global and local climate change on their natural and built

environments, and the relationship between local water

resources, air quality, energy usage, habitat destruction,

light pollution, noise pollution and other environmental

impacts.

Protect and Conserve Water Resources: Quality and

Quantity

Enhance Forest and Habitat for Endangered,

Threatened, and Rare Species of Flora and Fauna

Wetlands

Stormwater Management

Air Quality and Climate

Alternative Energy and Energy Reduction


Protect and Conserve Water Resources:

Quality and Quantity

Decrease water use by homes, businesses, and the

municipality

Encourage the installation of low-flow plumbing

fixtures on new construction and encourage

retrofitting fixtures and plumbing in existing

structures.

Establish a system for metering and charging for

water use.

Promote the installation of greywater processing

mechanisms to provide water for gardening, car

washing, and other non-potable uses.

Encourage the installation of water conservation

measures such as rainwater barrels, cisterns/

retention pits and dry wells with incentives such as

waiving local permitting fees for new development

Evaluate and repair water infrastructure

Municipalities with sewer systems should assess

infrastructure for leaks

Municipalities with individual on-site septic systems

should monitor the proper functioning of such

systems.

Develop a continuing education program, including

proper maintenance of septic systems to avoid

malfunction and costly repairs.

Key Concepts

47


Establish a program regulating the maintenance of

septic systems and require proof of pump-outs and

inspection upon sale of homes.

Eliminate use of pollutants such as pesticides and

fertilizers to maintain clean water supply and protect

surface water quality.

Promote aquifer recharge

Enhance Forest and Habitat for Endangered,

Threatened, and Rare Species of Flora and Fauna

Maintain a Tree Canopy and Replace Cut Trees

Maintaining a continuous, large tree canopy is

critical to protect endangered, threatened and rare

species of plants and animals.

Discourage developers, contractors, and

homeowners from cutting trees, and require the

replacement of trees that are cut.

Provide incentives for developers and contractors to

design their construction around existing vegetation.

Maintain tree canopy to increase the beneficial

effects such as a reduced carbon footprint, reduced

ambient temperature and increased aesthetic appeal

to a municipality, as well as improved quality of life.

Promote the preservation of green space in and

around urban areas to provide benefits to wildlife

and people.

Promote sustainable forestry, even on a small scale,

by encouraging the protection and replacement of

trees.

Encourage the natural process of terrestrial carbon

sequestration, the process through which carbon

dioxide from the atmosphere is absorbed by trees,

plants and crops through photosynthesis, and stored

as carbon in biomass (tree trunks, branches, foliage

and roots) and soils.

Require the use of native and non-invasive vegetation

in new construction and encourage it in established

areas.

Promote the use of native species and the

replacement of invasive species with appropriate

trees and vegetation will ameliorate a sustainable

vegetative environment. Native and non-invasive

species maintain a balance in nature that avoids a

threat to the diversity of plants and animals.

Encourage the use of native and other drought

tolerant species for landscaping to conserve water,

reduce pollution, and attract birds and butterflies.

strongly discourage the use of invasive species

which can rapidly colonize open areas, causing harm

to ecosystems and eliminating the natural benefits of

the native species.

The plan should briefly discuss why this is

important from the perspective of habitat as well

as water.

Educate residents about the importance of

biodiversity

Encourage deer and goose management strategies

Wetlands and Stream Corridors:

Encourage the protection of wetlands to maintain

wildlife habitat and protect clean water

Encourage the natural filtration process and

reduce flooding through innovative wetlands

techniques such as permaculture, bioretention and

grass swales.

Establish a monitoring process for protected

wetlands in the municipality.

Inform and educate the public about the State’s

rules for wetlands protection and the necessity of

keeping wetlands

Encourage innovative parcel configuration to

discourage an applicant from seeking relief from

regulations

Require that developers obtain wetlands permits

before they submit a development application to a

municipality

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Protect riparian corridors beyond the State

minimum of 50 feet surrounding all waterways to

300 feet.

Establish a monitoring process for protected stream

corridors in the municipality.

Stormwater Management:

Reduce Non-Point Source Pollution

Provide public education to reduce pollutants in

waterways, to eliminate pet waste issues, and to

protect stream corridors.

Develop protocol for municipal public works to

improve sewer systems and avoid government

vehicles wash water to run off.

Reduce excessive stormwater runoff by reducing

impervious cover and increasing vegetation.

Promote non-structural and low-impact techniques

for stormwater management

Encourage the use of dry wells, rain gardens, and

pervious pavement, in addition to requiring compact

developments.

Require low impact development techniques

Adopt stormwater triggers that are more stringent

than those required by the State

Air Quality and Climate:

Improve air quality to reduce impacts to long term

health and well-being and to reduce human impact

on climate change.

Plant trees to sequester carbon

Establish neighborhood native-plant gardens

on public property (rights of way, medians,

public playgrounds and other spaces).

Promote “anti-idling” campaigns for motor

vehicles.

Install better-timed traffic lights to avoid

excessive stop-and-go traffic.

Improve health and quality of life in rural and

residential areas

Reduce light pollution to avoid excessive glare and

light trespass and to aid the natural mechanisms of

birds and other wildlife that require dark skies.

Educate the public about and enforce maximum

decibel levels that are legally acceptable.

Warmer Climate

Develop a baseline carbon footprint to measure

current conditions

Develop and implement a climate action plan

Increase vegetative cover, particularly with trees, to

avoid “heat island effect”

Alternative Energy and Energy Reduction:

Encourage all sectors of the municipality (residents,

businesses, schools, places of worship, and

government buildings) to reduce energy usage and

increase conservation measures.

Replace municipal vehicles with those using

alternative fuels – electric, biofuels, and solar

sources.

Develop more pedestrian and bicycle routes in all

municipal centers to reduce the need for automobile

use.

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Adopt guidelines for a green building design code

Educate homeowners about ways to reduce energy consumption in the home.

Promote the use of energy efficient appliances and electronics.

Develop educational opportunities through demonstration projects

Public buildings can also be used as demonstration projects to show residents and developers the functioning,

purpose and ease with which small measures can lead to large benefits in conserving water.

Develop a relationship between the municipal government and schools on conservation measures that students

can implement and use

Require green landscaping practices among businesses and encourage residents to employ green landscaping

Encourage the use of native and non-invasive species to reduce irrigation

Promote, reducing lawn area

Avoid creating additional impervious cover

Encourage practices that require reduced watering and reduced pesticide and herbicide use.

Approve Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Free Zones

Reduce the amount of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals traditionally used to reduce weeds, increase

lawn and garden ornamentals, and eliminate pests, such as insects, from home gardens.

Monitor the use of chemicals only as a last resort to avoid pollution of soil and water.

Establish pesticide-free zones to reduce the use of pesticides on government-owned public lands.

Sustainable Hillsborough – Environment Goals http://www.sustainablehillsborough.com/Plan/CommunityGoals/

GoalDetails/tabid/64/Default.aspx?goal=20

NJ DEP Planning and Sustainable Communities – Environmental Capacity-Based Planning http://www.nj.gov/

dep/opsc/envcbp.html

City of San Diego Conservation Element of the Master Plan http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/

pdf/sustainable/conservegenplan.pdf

Purpose: To become an international model of sustainable development and conservation. To provide for the long-

term conservation and sustainable management of the rich natural resources that help define the City’s identity,

contribute to its economy, and improve its quality of life.


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Economic

Development

Perth Amboy, NJ Waterfront

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A municipality is more likely to invest in economic

strategic planning when there is a shift in the economy

that could be attributed to the loss of a major employer,

revitalization of greyfields and redevelopment of

brownfields, revitalization of a downtown or

neighborhood, stabilization or increase tax revenues, or

the desire to enhance the economic viability of the

existing economic base. An economic plan is one of the

foundations for the land use element and should work in

concert with the housing element, the conservation plan,

the circulation element and the utility service plan

element. The aspects of economic development have

expanded beyond a focus on land use and infrastructure

needs to include human resources, development financing

and other considerations. Today we live in a global

economy where changes in regional, state, national and

world economies occur daily impacting every community.

In order to support the basic needs of its residents,

governments must maintain awareness of these economic

changes and strive to anticipate and adapt to these

changes. Every municipality needs to assess its economic

goals and strategies, either existing or proposed, against

its vision for a sustainable community.

In our personal ambitions we are

individualists. But in our seeking for

economic and political progress as a

nation, we all go up or else all go

down as one people.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Why a Sustainable Economic Development Plan Matters

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A sustainable community will build upon its traditional

vision of economic development striving for a green

economy and perhaps using a Triple Bottom Line (TBL)

approach to their economics, as described in this

document’s introduction. “The ‘green economy’ is a

concept that distinguishes the traditional marketplace from

an economy based on promoting environmentally friendly

business practices. This alternative economy addresses job

opportunities, environmentally-friendly products and

technologies, and sustainable business models.”17 Some of

those models include:

Think regionally, act locally

Diversify the economic base

Support local and home-based businesses

Promote agri-tourism, eco-tourism and heritage

tourism, where applicable

Attract and foster clean and environmentally

sustainable businesses

Become a digital government and digital community

Locate businesses near transportation facilities, with

pedestrian accessibility, downtown, in mixed-used

development, with similar types of businesses

(agglomeration)

Plan for a jobs/housing balance

Reuse and rehabilitate rather than build and rebuild

Promote green building practices and green business

practices

Create linkages between the local workforce and

existing and new jobs

Key Concepts

New Jersey’s Municipal Land Use Law provides that

“an economic plan element consider all aspects of

economic development and sustained economic

vitality, including (a) a comparison of the types of

employment expected to be provided by the economic

development to be promoted with the characteristics of

the labor pool resident in the municipality and nearby

areas and (b) an analysis of the stability and diversity of

the economic development to be promoted;”18

Every municipality should first create a baseline of

community characteristics, identifying its strengths and

weaknesses, and in particular its existing green assets,

such as parks and recreation, historic features,

transportation opportunities, businesses engaged in

green technologies, etc. This should be done within the

context of its characteristics for example, not every

community can have a green technology park and a

community focusing on tourism may wish to take

advantage of the state’s tourism designations, such as

“The Skylands” or “The Crossroads of the Revolution”.

What a municipality analyzes depends on the vision

and goals its sets for itself regarding its economic

development. The focus for mature developed areas,

such as urban areas, may focus on reuse and

redevelopment, and job training, concerned with

retention of existing businesses and attracting new

ones. The focus for developing communities, such as

suburban areas, will be on attracting new businesses.

Rural areas may focus on enhancing the opportunities

provided by its unique resources, such as agri- and

ecotourism.

Other examples of assessment include:

The build-out or trends analysis of growth and

development recommended in the land use section

of this report will provide information on the

population, housing and employment potential as

zoned to assess if the planned commercial and

industrial zoning will meet the needs of the

projected population and whether the labor force

will meet the needs of the business sector.


53


The capacity analysis recommended in the land use section of

this report in concert with the buildout analysis will ascertain if

there will be sufficient capacity of the zoned commercial and

industrial development and provide a baseline for analyzing

alternative economic development. The capacity of electric, gas

and digital infrastructure should also be analyzed. This is

unrealistic for nearly all municipalities.

The location of existing and proposed business should be

analyzed. In green communities businesses will be located

to reduce auto dependency and encourage pedestrian

activity. The issue of environmental justice will be

considered in this analysis, as well as environmental and

health consequences of existing and proposed types of

businesses.19 Opportunities for infill, reuse, and

rehabilitation will be explored before new development and

redevelopment.

Municipal zoning, site plan and subdivision codes will be re

-examined to encourage green business practices and

businesses that support the local agricultural economy20. A

review of municipal zoning and codes should also include

more flexibility in nonconforming use standards to allow

for “green” renovations.

Open space requirements for all zone districts should be re-

examined when mixed-use, infill development, etc. in urban

areas occur, such as improved courtyards and plazas, off-

site dedication, etc.

Incentives for sustainable development may be in the form of

development bonuses (height, far, etc.) for implementing

sustainable goals, such as green building, green/cool roofs, bike

fleets, employee showers, installation of trail connections. The

point being the prohibition of large single-use developments in

commercial zone districts and the prohibition of new industries

that would constitute a “major source” of air pollution by the

State’s Division of Air Quality.

Parking standards that set maximum parking space

requirements in select districts and parking reductions for

developments that offer transit demand management

programs that include on site car/bike sharing programs,

transit passes, van pools, work-at-home, and other options.

According to the American Planning

Association’s Economic Development Toolkit, a

Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is one of a

municipality’s most powerful tools for both short

-term solutions and long-term sustainability. This

tool can help a municipality to:

repair and replace existing infrastructure;

meet specific needs in mature, growing, and

redeveloping areas;

coordinate activities among various

government departments; and

ultimately influence the pace and quality of

development in a community.21

Additionally, a CIP can provide guidance for

creating sustainable solutions for municipal

project such as new or rehabilitated construction

to civic centers, libraries, museums, fire and

police stations; new or long-term operations /

maintenance to existing parks and playgrounds;

new construction or upgrades / reconstruction of

existing streets, sewage and water treatment

plants, and water and sewer lines. This tool can

also be used to assess the triple bottom line of

capital improvement projects including

architectural and engineering fees, feasibility

studies, land appraisal and acquisition, and

construction.

Tools for Sustainable Economic

Development Planning

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The APA’s toolkit for Economic Development, offers that

the most important factors to an economic development

strategy is business development and job growth, which

comes from the creation of business, the expansion of

existing business, and the attraction or retention of existing

business.22 Thus, a key question for public policy is, What

are the factors that influence business and job growth, and

what is their relative importance? This toolkit offers some

simple assumptions, grounded in basic economic principles

that provide a point of departure for answering that question.

They include:

Businesses want to be profitable.

Profitability is the excess of revenues over costs. Thus,

profitability can be achieved and increased by increasing

revenues or reducing costs.

Increasing revenues is primarily a function of the market

for the goods and services a firm produces (the demand

side of the equation), and decreasing costs is primarily a

function of reducing the costs of producing and

delivering goods and services (the supply side of the

equation).

Every good or service produced has multiple inputs.

Thus, if one wants to influence the costs of production,

one should focus on the costs of individual inputs. Some

inputs are more important (as a percentage of total

production costs) than others, and some are more

amenable to the influence of public policy that others

(e.g., the costs of infrastructure).

There are a few things that local governments can do to

influence the demand side of the equation (e.g.,

marketing of regional products, buying locally, assisting

local producers in finding local suppliers), but the

majority and most significant ways that the public sector

can influence business profitability are on supply (cost)

side of the equation.

Recommendations for

Further Study

One of the three elements of sustainability, a healthy

economy, tends to be a deciding factor in most

sustainability projects. Municipalities that want to “go

green” also want to get the biggest “bang for the buck”.

Local officials want to do right by their taxpayers,

providing a high quality of life, without emptying their

wallets. Quality of life is enhanced through the

encouragement of appropriate businesses within a

community and providing financial support and

regulatory incentives for those establishments to grow.

Communities can determine the types of businesses

they wish to encourage and can specify that clean,

nonpolluting, industries are preferred.

The NJ Economic Development Authority (EDA) has

established the Clean Energy Solutions clearinghouse

that offers resources for businesses in NJ. Whether a

company is “going green”, is a manufacturer of clean

energy systems or products, or is an innovative

company developing new green technology, Clean

Energy Solutions is a resource.22

A study conducted by the Austin Independent Business

Alliance, in Austin, TX, found that for every $100 in

customer spending at a national chain, the total local

economic impact is only $13. The same amount spent

with a local merchant yields $45, more than three times

the local economic impact.23 In other words, for every

$100 spent in the community, almost half of it stays in

the community. This also fosters competition among

local businesses, creating a more diverse and vibrant

marketplace, providing opportunities for a community

to stand out, attract new businesses, and avoid

becoming “Anywhere, USA”.

According to Green For All, a national non-profit

working to provide green jobs in the workforce, a

“green job” is any job that contributes to preserving or

enhancing environmental quality. A “green collar job”

is a well-paid, career-track job that contributes directly

to preserving or enhancing environmental quality.


55



“If a job improves the environment, but does not provide a family-supporting wage or a career-ladder to move low

income workers into higher-skilled occupations, it is not a green-collar job.”24 With a growing green economy, workers

skilled in green jobs are going to be needed more than ever before. This can include traditional trades that turn the green

corner such as: Electricians, Plumbers, Builders, and HVAC professionals.

Other local examples include:

Sustainable Princeton Community Plan, Princeton, NJ 2000 (http://www.princetontwp.org/Princeton_final_8_19.pdf)

Goal 3: Building A Strong Local Green Economy

“Our vision for Princeton is a place which nurtures a diverse, stable, local green economy that supports the basic daily

needs of all segments of the community. It encourages businesses, organizations, and local government to adopt

sustainable business practices and to conserve resources, reduce waste and pollution, recycle and purchase recycled

products, implement green building, and source local materials. At the same time, it supports local sustainable

agriculture and farmers markets and encourages residents to buy local goods and services.”

Strategic Plan for a Sustainable Hillsborough, First Draft, February 6, 2008, Hillsborough Twp., NJ http://

www.

sustainablehillsborough.com/

Goal 4: Local Economy

“A Sustainable Hillsborough has a strong, diversified economy that provides ample employment opportunities by

promoting sustainable economic sectors such as small-scale local businesses, agriculture, green products and

services and tourism.

4.1 Foster the local agricultural economy

4.2 Create a diverse locally-owned business economy.

1.4 Develop a strong tourism economy.

4.4 Encourage green business development.”

Borough of Woodbine Rural Sustainability Plan, Draft May 2009 http://www.boroughofwoodbine.net/

Economic Development Administration, Research and Tools http://www.eda.gov/Research/ResearchReports.xml

USDA Rural Development http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Home.html

The New Jersey Municipal Master Plan Manual, Chapter 14, The Economic Element, New Jersey Planning

Officials

Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook: Model Statutes for Planning and the Management of Change, 2002

Edition, Stuart Meck, FAICP http://www.planning.org/growingsmart/

“Improving Local Economic Development Planning Capacity in New Jersey” Stuart Meck, FAICP/PP, May

2006

2009 Economic Development Toolkit, http://www.planning.org/eda

APA Policy Guide on Planning for Sustainability http://www.planning.org/policy/guides/pdf/sustainability.pdf

Main Street New Jersey program, NJ State Dept of Community Affairs http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/

msnj.html

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Community Fac i l i t ies

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A community facilities plan should not be viewed as a static document, but rather as an outline for the future.

Facilities typically maintained by a community include public schools, administrative services, public safety

services, the fire department, rescue squads, police department, library and public works. These facilities are

provided based on current and future municipal needs as defined by current and projected populations.

The concept of sustainability has broadened the scope of facilities to include the environmental, economic and

social components of a community’s well-being. While the land use framework endorses and implements the

concept from an environmental, infrastructure and economic standpoint, a sustainability framework focuses on

energy use, building practices, and the social environment.

A shared facility is an example of a facility employing all three of these aspects. A Senior / Youth Center would

benefit both groups in their spatial needs, it would cut down municipal energy use, and it would provide an

opportunity for the two groups to learn from one another.

A municipal park that includes a community garden may also provide a shared space for recreation and

agriculture, increase pervious areas for stormwater infiltration, and provide a means to educate the public about

natural gardening and farming practices.

Shared Facilities

Green Building

Build to Local Need

Community Vision

The creation of a sustainable community should build on local interests. A community survey may identify goals

that generate ideas and promote development of a plan for “green building” in new developments, and options

for energy sustainability in municipal facilities and for residents. This should be an ongoing objective for the

community.

A sustainable community facilities’ plan may include goals and policies for the purchase of new equipment, the

construction of new facilities, the preservation of open space, and long-term operation and maintenance.

Providing multi-purpose facilities can cut down on the amount of space and building maintenance needed for

such services. Public buildings and spaces (municipal, county and state government owned) often account for a

large amount of infrastructure (built and natural) in a community and therefore utilize large amounts of energy

and require a lot of maintenance. These buildings and open spaces are excellent facilities within which to

demonstrate sustainability practices for energy efficiency, water conservation, green technologies, and other

shared facilities approaches.

Why a Sustainable Community Facilities Plan Matters

Key Concepts

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58


Strive to provide green building solutions and reduce the need for building new structures.

Develop goals and policies that provide for more efficient services, such as services shared between facilities,

municipalities, etc.

Ensure consistency between land use goals and facilities goals. Because community facilities are planned to respond

to the needs of growing communities, a municipality should consider its potential build out.

Provide a superior level and adequate range of community facilities and services, located to serve existing and

anticipated populations.

Replace or adapt facilities with natural infrastructure; remove or reuse facilities that are obsolete or unable to meet

future demands.

Preserve sense of community by constructing and maintaining facilities that enable residents to socialize, to preserve

historic roots and community character, participate in government, and enable volunteers to play an integral role in

maintaining sense of community.

Include sustainability expectations in job descriptions, handbooks, performance reviews for employees of all

community facilities.

Develop vision statement and implementation strategy

Before getting started with implementation, a community must first determine the vision of the sustainable community

facilities plan. A planning committee should consider the following questions upon starting this process26:

1. Overall fit with Community Priorities - Are the proposed facilities top priorities?

2. Planning – who will lead the planning effort? The Planning Board, Planning Staff or a Subcommittee?

3. Coordination – what is (are) the proposed use(s) for the facility(-ies)?

4. Infrastructure - Build new vs. renovate existing facilities?

5. Building costs – how much, what sources of funding?

6. Sustainability – how much will it cost to operate, how to pay?

7. Feasibility – is facility really needed, really affordable?

8. Leadership - who will operate the building, pay the bills?



59


Mendham, NJ Community Facilities Plan, West Windsor, NJ Community Facilities Plan

Center for Sustainability at Aquinas College – Community Facilities Chapter http://www.centerforsustainability.org/

resources.php?root=176&category=309

The Green Schools Alliance www.greenschoolsalliance. org/greentoolkit6.html


CO

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The Willow School, Peapack-Gladstone, NJ

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Uti l i t ies and

Infras tructure

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A traditional plan for infrastructure and facilities will typically focus on adequate

capacity and levels of service. A sustainable utilities plan needs to expand the scope

to consider the built environments’ relationship to the environment and the efficient

use of land. In creating a sustainable condition, we can make the case for the

economic, environmental, and social benefits in any type of project, as described

thus far in this guide book. Similarly, with utilities and facilities, there is an

opportunity to develop an approach around sustainable, or integrated, infrastructure

that balances the needs of the community with the function of our natural resources.

Green Infrastructure

Taking a greener approach to infrastructure development not only mitigates the

potential environmental impacts of development (e.g. improving stream health and

reducing energy use) but makes economic sense as well, when all of the impacts of

conventional development on our natural resources and their functions are taken into

account. By softening the environmental footprint, avoiding waste and finding

efficiencies, local governments can increase their utility’s long term sustainability.

Proper planning for wastewater, water supply, and stormwater management facilities

is necessary for cost effective development and maintenance of public utility

systems. Utilities that are integrated in the design of buildings and with other

infrastructure provide an even greater benefit as they become part of a larger system.

A clear example is a landscaped open space that manages stormwater, reduces heat

islands, provides shading so that air conditioners need to run less often, and creates a

public amenity.

Phasing

Utility services play a critical role in shaping future growth. The placement, use and

required capacity of utilities and community facilities are important when planning

for the future; which when assessed with demographic trends and projections,

provides a realistic picture of service supply and demand. A community should

consider determining over a period of time when and where growth is projected to

occur and plan for the appropriate size of a facility and the location. This should also

be based on the town’s master plan goals for future development and preservation.

Inappropriate expansion of services can result in development that is inconsistent

with the Master Plan, such as in areas of environmental sensitivity or of historic

significance.

Decentralized v Centralized Utilities

Providing and maintaining infrastructure can be very expensive. Green infrastructure

can be especially efficient in mixed-use neighborhoods where a smaller,

decentralized system of wastewater treatment or stormwater management can handle

the needs of a neighborhood or community. The decentralized system can be scaled

to the needs of that particular community, saving the town from constructing a larger

facility than what is actually needed.

Why a Sustainable Utilities Plan Matters

UTILITIES &

INFR

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Thinking in a more holistic manner

about a site’s natural systems,

infrastructure, community context,

and urban form can result in

achieving a higher level of

performance at a lower cost.

– Steven Kellenberg

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Expanding the scope beyond traditional utilities planning will be

increasing important as new technologies will bring new invest-

ment opportunities that will effect our communities.

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Green Infrastructure

Phasing

Decentralized v Centralized

Public Utility

Private Utility

Public-Private Partnership

A sustainable approach to utilities and facilities starts

with sound planning policies and clear guidance from

the master plan. Implementation of the approach can

occur in any area, but is recommended for areas where

some infrastructure already exists so as not to extend

new infrastructure where it may not be needed. It is

important to utilize an integrated process which requires

collaboration between multiple disciplines and

stakeholder during the design phase, as well as a shift

toward whole-systems thinking, linking interactions

between project elements, and seeking solutions to

address multiple problems at the same time.26

In urbanized areas, master plans should promote the

efficient provision of infrastructure, community facilities

and related services by restoring systems in distressed

areas and maintaining existing infrastructure

investments. In suburban and rural areas, land use plans

should create compact settlement patterns in appropriate

locations, timing and sequencing the provision and

maintenance of capital facilities and services.

The first step is to determine the level of service needed

for the neighborhood or community and then determine

the location where the facility is best suited to be placed.

This can apply to water supply, wastewater capacity,

stormwater management, or all three combined. Below

are a few sample goals and objectives a community

could include in its master plan for any of these three

systems:

Goals

Ensure the provision of adequate and appropriate

wastewater treatment, water supply, and stormwater

utilities systems to protect the public health, welfare

and the natural environment in a cost effective

manner.

Maintain a high quality of life through the adequate

provision of utilities, public services, parks, and

community facilities for current and future needs.

Coordinate utility and community facilities planning

with land use, transportation, and park and open

space planning efforts.

Incorporate sustainable infrastructure into future

community facilities and utilities in order to

increase efficiency, realize cost savings, and—

where possible - lessen maintenance issues.

Storm Water

Minimal to no impact on the quality of surface

waters before, during, and after land development

processes.

Comprehensive wastewater management systems

that accommodate existing and planned

development and protect and enhance water

quality.

Safe, clean drinking water provided to all

residents.

Efficient use of potable water supplies.

Water Supply

Identify water supply demand at buildout and

confirm capacity availability with local water

company.

Identify developed areas which do not have public

water and encourage system extension

Where possible, require public water service to

new development rather than private wells.

Key Concepts


UTILITIES &

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Wastewater Treatment

Based on the adopted Master Plan and resulting zoning, identify the required conveyance and treatment capacity in

order to determine future facility requirements.

Identify facility requirements and potential schedule for any unsewered “fringe” neighborhoods to facilitate efficient

use of private funds.

Monitor inflow and infiltration and encourage repair of collection systems to allow efficient utilization of existing

wastewater treatment facilities.

Update municipal Sanitary Sewer Plan to deal with areas of potential septic failure.

Require that new development within the sewer service area be served by sewer, and all new development should be

served by public water.

As outlined in the book Developing Sustainable Planned

Communities the various authors point out the

importance of integrated design in the design process as

well as in the planning and long term operations and

maintenance of the green features. Specifically, the

authors suggest first defining a vision that includes

sustainability from the start, incorporating integrated

design in infrastructure, community form, mobility,

landscapes, energy consumption, water usage and

housing development. For all of these areas, the costs and

benefits should be identified to understand how integrated

design solutions may make a project more affordable in

the long term. Green building techniques should be used

where possible and that includes the exterior of the

building as well. Optimizing the building envelope is a

way to ensure efficiency in land use so as to protect

environmentally sensitive areas, but also to make the

community itself more efficient. Finally, understanding

the maintenance aspects of green infrastructure, the

economics of long term sustainability solutions, and

dealing with recovery and adaptability in the

community’s code are parts of a successful sustainability

plan that may often be overlooked. When planning for

sustainable Utilities and Facilities, a community should

consider all of these aspects.


West Windsor Utilities Plan Element http://

www.westwindsornj.org/MasterPlan/Section%206/

Section%206.pdf

Philadelphia Green Infrastructure Plan http://

www.phillywatersheds.org/what_were_doing/

green_infrastructure

Coopers Creek, Camden – Green Infrastructure Study

http://www.water.rutgers.edu/Projects/Cooper/

CooperRiver.html

Examples from the book, Developing Sustainable

Planned Communities, include:

Brewery Blocks, Portland, OR

Daybreak, South Jordan, UT

Glenwood Park, Atlanta, GA

Greenwich Millennium Village, London, UK

Harvest Lakes, Perth, Australia

Hidden Springs, Ada County, ID

Holiday Neighborhood, Boulder, CO

Oleson Woods Apartments, Tigard, OR


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Recyc l ing

We cannot simply think of our survival; each

new generation is responsible to ensure the

survival of the seventh generation. The

prophecy given to us, tells us that what we

do today will affect the seventh generation

and because of this we must bear in mind

our responsibility to them today and always.

– Great Law of the Iroquois

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It is estimated that in 2003 New Jersey residents

generated over nineteen million tons of solid waste, of

which nine and a half million tons were disposed and

over ten million tons were recycled. Of those tens of

millions of tons recycled, 40% (approximately, 3.9

million tons) of that waste was disposed of out-of-state.

The New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source

Separation and Recycling Act of 1987 (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-

99.11 et seq.) requires each of the State’s 21 Counties to

develop a recycling plan that mandated the recycling of

at least types of recyclable materials, in addition to

leaves; and for the counties to develop marketing

strategies to promote recycling. Additionally, a

recycling plan element was required to be included in a

municipality’s master plan to require provisions for

recycling in all residential, commercial, and industrial

development.

The Solid Waste Management Act has provided the

framework for the collection, transportation and disposal

of solid waste in the State of New Jersey for over thirty

years.28 The Act has been amended many times over

that time period so that the responsibilities of municipal,

county and state governments could be delineated. The

twenty-one counties are responsible for the collection

and disposal of solid waste in accordance with county

plans. Municipalities are responsible for ensuring that

recycling programs are available for commercial,

institutional, and residential generators and thus meeting

the mandatory recycling goals established in the Act.

The Recycling Act requires municipal master plans to be

revised to include provisions for the collection,

disposition and recycling of designated recyclable

materials, within any development proposal for the

construction of 50 or more units of single-family

residential housing, 25 or more units of multi-family

residential housing and any commercial or industrial

development proposal for the utilization of 1,000 square

feet or more of land. By working with the department of

Consumer Affairs and local planning boards on this

requirement, the necessities for successful recycling will

be incorporated into all future development proposals,

which in turn will facilitate recycling at these locations.

The State’s Solid Waste Management Plan reaffirms the

state’s goal of recycling 50 percent of the municipal

solid waste stream. Despite the recent decline in our

state’s recycling rates, New Jersey is still a nationally

recognized leader in recycling. The “New Jersey

Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling

Act” (Recycling Act), set forth an ambitious program

that reshaped at least one aspect of the everyday lives of

state residents, businesses and institutions.

Among other things, the Recycling Act required New

Jersey’s twenty-one counties to develop recycling plans

that mandated the recycling of at least three designated

recyclable materials, in addition to leaves. County

recycling plans were also required to designate the

strategy to be utilized for the collection, marketing and

disposition of designated recyclable materials. The

recycling legislatively prescribed goal of 50% of the

recyclables in municipal solid waste and 60 % total solid

waste recycling rate are still being pursued. New Jersey

has not met its total solid waste (TSW) recycling goal of

60% since 1997 and has never met its 50% municipal

solid waste recycling rate.

In addition to the State requirements, a recycling plan

element provides an opportunity for a municipality to

study the impacts of waste in their community. There

are many different areas in which a recycling plan

element can be directed. For example, electronic waste

(or e-waste) is becoming more prominent in our

everyday lives. As new models for electronics are

produced, outdated models quickly become obsolete.

Their intricate parts make them hazardous to dispose of

in the municipal solid waste stream and practically

impossible to recycle in the regular recycling. Many

counties will hold e-waste recycling days where

residents can bring their outdated mp3 players,

computers, microwave ovens, TVs, and other obsolete

electronics.

Why a Sustainable Recycling Plan Matters

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Similarly, municipalities across the country are experimenting with food waste recycling in residential areas. Beyond

traditional backyard composting, residents are encouraged to participate in town-wide composting programs that operate

as a curbside pickup program. In this type of program a residential unit would be provided a food waste container similar

to trash or recycling container. Pickup occurs on a schedule similar to trash and recycling and food waste is transported

to a nearby facility that can handle food waste disposal.

Aside from the environmental benefits, recycling saves money for manufacturers, reduces energy costs, reduces the

amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, and therefore harmful gases released during the decomposition

process; and it creates business opportunities for the manufacturing and retail sale of recycled products.

Waste Reduction

Recyclable Materials

Solid Waste Recycling

Hazardous Waste Recycling

Electronics Recycling

Construction / Demolition / Renovation De-

bris

Recovery

Food Waste

Composting

Yard Waste (Leaves and Grass Clippings)

Schools

Businesses

Municipal

Key Concepts

Promote waste reduction in general across all sectors of the

community.

Reward innovative businesses and organizations that take

waste reduction approaches in their procurement

Reward innovative businesses that create the least amount

of waste possible in the manufacturing of their products.

This type of business and process should be encouraged

through waste management planning and in concert with

the goals of the NJ EDA.

Work with neighboring communities to share costs of

new or innovative programs

Establish single stream recycling. ‘Single Stream’ refers

to a recycling collection system where all recyclables are

mixed together in one single collection container (paper,

plastic, metal, glass. Single stream recycling will become

increasingly common across New Jersey once the recy-

cling centers have been upgraded with the new equipment

required to automatically separate paper or cardboard

waste from the plastic, glass and metal recyclables. Single

stream recycling systems can save a municipality money

for the collection of recyclables as it requires less labor to

collect and sort.28


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The following are some concrete recommendations that would encourage more recycling:

The establishment of programs designed to encourage the increased recycling of “other paper,” i.e., paper other than

newspaper, corrugated and office paper, would help increase the recycling rate. Increased recycling of “other

paper,” which comprises slightly more than 9 percent of the total waste stream, also represents a great opportunity

for achieving recycling gains. Counties should consider designating “other paper” as a mandatory recyclable item

for the residential sector in their district recycling plans. Education and enforcement initiatives should be developed

to increase recycling compliance in the residential sector. The multi-family housing sector needs to be the focus of

such initiatives. Many residents in urban multi-family housing communities surveyed in a Tellus Institute study on

recycling in multi-family housing were unaware that recycling is required by law in New Jersey. Informational

sessions on markets for “other paper” should be held for recycling coordinators in northern, central and southern

New Jersey.

The establishment of programs designed to encourage the increased recycling of food waste is recommended.

Supermarkets, grocery stores, bakeries and institutions, such as hospitals and universities, generate large amounts of

food waste. Residents also generate significant quantities of food waste in their homes. At this time much of this

waste is not recycled but land filled. The tonnage of food waste generated per year in New Jersey is greater than the

combined tonnage of old newspapers, glass containers and aluminum cans. The development of educational

programs with our schools and institutions and highlighting the environmental benefits of composting to our

residents providing classes and resources for residential composting programs would facilitate the increase of this

important component of the recycling stream.

The establishment of programs designed to encourage the increased recycling of corrugated cardboard is

recommended. Corrugated is increasingly being generated in the residential sector due to the catalogue and Internet

shopping industry. As such, programs geared towards the business are essential for corrugated recycling to increase

in New Jersey. Counties should designate corrugated as a mandatory recyclable item for the residential sector in

their district recycling plans. Municipalities that do not provide corrugated collection service to the residential or

business sector would provide a recycling depot for this material.

The establishment of programs designed to encourage the increased recycling of newspaper is recommended.

Education and enforcement initiatives should be developed to increase recycling compliance in the residential

sector, especially in multi-family housing. While newspaper is mandated for recycling in the residential sector in all

21 counties, there are many residents in New Jersey that are not complying with the requirements of the Recycling

Act.

The establishment of programs designed to encourage the increased recycling of office paper is recommended.

While this material is mandated for recycling throughout the state, there are still companies in New Jersey that do

not have a recycling program in their office. Programs geared towards the office environment are essential.

The recycling programs in colleges, universities and schools have been inadequate. By focusing on this sector, the

amount of other paper, food waste, corrugated, newspaper and office paper, among other materials, recycled in New

Jersey would increase dramatically.


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NJ Solid and Hazardous Waste New Jersey Statewide Mandatory Source Separation and Recycling Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-

99.11 et seq.) “The Recycling Act” can be found here http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dshw/recycling/rule_link.htm

State of NJ Model Municipal Source Separation and Recycling Ordinance http://www.state.nj.us/dep/dshw/recycling/

whatsnew/model_waste_ordinance.pdf

South Shore Recycling Cooperative, MA www.ssrcoop.info

“Recycling! A Planning Guide for Communities”, prepared by the NY State Department of Conservation http://

www.dec.ny.gov/docs/materials_minerals_pdf/lswmplanning.pdf


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1 Egan, Timothy, “Nature-Deficit Disorder”, NY Times March 29, 2012.

2 Municipal Land Use Law (M.L.U.L.). N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28a

3 American Planning Association (APA) Policy Guide on Planning for Sustainability. Adopted by Chapter Delegate

Assembly, April 16, 2000. Ratified by Board of Directors, April 17, 2000, New York, NY.

4 World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). Our common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press,

1987 p. 43.

5 STAR Communities Overview. May, 2013. http://www.starcommunities.org/uploads/

STAR_Communities_Overview.pdf.

6 U.S. Green Building Council, LEED-ND Rating System: http://www.usgbc.org/leed/rating-systems/neighborhoods

7 BREEAM® - http://www.breeam.org/index.jsp

8 Sustainable Jersey Program, “Sustainable Land Use Pledge”, required to be adopted by every municipality that

participates in the Sustainable Jersey program.

9 LEED 2009 for ND, Dec 2009 - Municipalities should consider reviewing the USGBC LEED Neighborhood

Development, as well as New Construction rating systems, for additional guidance on sustainable development.

10 NJ Department of Agriculture http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/about/overview.html

11. Five Borough Farm; Metrics www.fiveboroughfarm.org/impact/metrics-getting-started/

12 “The Benefits of Open Space,” “The Ecological and Biological Benefits of Open Space,” Richard P. Kane, The Great

Swamp Watershed Association, 1997

13 New Jersey Conservation Foundation. The Benefits of State Preservation Programs. 2007.

14 Hamilton, Leonard W., Ph.D.. The Great Swamp Watershed Association. Open Space Is a Good Investment: The

Financial Argument for Open Space Preservation, A Resource Paper of the Association of New Jersey Environmental

Commissions (ANJEC). 1997.

15 Green Acres Program. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. 2010. http://www.nj.gov/dep/

greenacres/.

16 American Lung Association’s 2013 State of the Air Report: New Jersey. http://www.stateoftheair.org/2013/states/new

-jersey/

17 Environmental Sustainability Plan Element, City of Millville, June 30, 2009

18 N.J.S.A.40:55D-28b(9)

19 Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color,

national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws,

regulations, and policies. Fair treatment means that no group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the

negative environmental consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or policies.”

Environmental Justice in Planning and Zoning, Sustainable New Jersey www.sustainablejersey.com.

ENDNOTES

71


20 Farmland Subdivision: A Catalogue of Land Use Techniques to Preserve and Enhance Agricultural Uses of Land.

Thomas Dallessio. Pinelands Commission and New Jersey Office of State Planning. August 1993. NJ Office of Smart

Growth Technical Reference Document. (http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/osg/docs/farmland080193.pdf)

21 American Planning Association. An Economic Development Toolbox: Strategies and Methods (PAS 541) and Com-

munity Indicators (PAS 517), 2008.

22 Ibid

23 NJ Economic Development Authority – Clean Energy Solutions http://www.njeda.com/web/Aspx_pg/Templates/

Pic_Text.aspx?Doc_Id=1080&midid=1351&menuid=1351&topid=718

24 www.ibuyaustin.com

25 Green For All. www.green4all.org

26 “Community Facility Planning Workbook: A user-friendly guide to planning community facilities”, Agnew Beck

Consulting, LLC, June 2005.

27 Kellenberg, Steven. “Integrating Planning & Design”, Developing Sustainable Planned Communities. Urban

Land Institute, 2007.

28 Solid Waste Management Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1E-1 et seq)

29 RecyclingNJ – www.recyclingnj.com

PHOTO CREDITS

Page #

Cover Charles Latini, L&G Planning, www.latinigleitz.com

D&R Canal Commission

ReThink Group

NJ Transit, Charles Latini

SuperMetric, Urban Partners, New Jersey Future, American Planning Association NJ Chapter, New Jersey State Office of Planning Advocacy, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Charles Latini, L&G Planning, www.latinigleitz.com

12 Charles Latini, L&G Planning, www.latinigleitz.com



State of New Jersey website




NJ Transit, Dinkum Interactive, Tysons Corner Center

27-31 Charles Latini, L&G Planning, www.latinigleitz.com

32 New Jersey Future

REFER

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33 Charles Latini, L&G Planning, www.latinigleitz.com, State of New Jersey Department of Agriculture


Wild New Jersey

Charles Latini, L&G Planning, www.latinigleitz.com Walk-Bike New Jersey

New Jersey Playgrounds, Star Ledger

Washington State Magazine, Washington State Univ.



Perth Amboy

Diliiph Chitajallu, ADI Strategy Studios. Www.adistrategy.org

Evergreen State College, Olympia Washington

Landscape Architects Foundation

NJ Transit Corp, Mike Rosenthal

Inhabitat

Hamilton, Canada