Montclair Is Reconsidering Its 'Master Plan': Here's What That Means

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A series of community meetings will take place in all four wards of Montclair as the township takes another look at its “master plan.”

The master plan is a document that guides land use, real estate development and the overall character of Montclair. A reexamination of municipal plans is required every 10 years under state law – and one is taking place this year. Learn more here.

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The Montclair Planning Board will hold a series of community meetings in July and August as it continues to sculpt its 2026 Master Plan Reexamination Report. The workshops will include question and answer sessions. Residents from all wards are welcome to attend any meeting.

Meetings will take place on the following Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.:

• July 15 (Third Ward) – Montclair municipal building (2^nd floor conference room), 205 Claremont Avenue
• July 22 (Second Ward) – Edgemont Park House, 290 Valley Road
• July 29 (Fourth Ward) – Montclair Fire Headquarters, 1 Pine Street
• Aug. 5 (First Ward) – Bellevue Branch Library, 185 Bellevue Avenue

Here’s what will come next, a township advisory said:

“These public outreach meetings for the master plan reexamination are being held on a weekly schedule to ensure the public engagement process is completed by early August. This timeline allows staff to compile community feedback into a report for the planning board in September. The process will continue with one or more planning board meetings, followed by a public hearing, with the goal of adopting the Master Plan Reexamination Report in November.”

A detailed overview of the master plan report can be seen online here.

The 2016 report can be viewed here.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION

The town’s Historic Preservation Element is being reviewed as part of the master plan reexamination.

The Historic Preservation Element helps guide how Montclair protects its historic buildings, neighborhoods, landmarks and cultural resources. The current version – which was adopted in 2016 – can be viewed online here.

A public discussion will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 16 at the council chambers in town hall, 205 Claremont Avenue. Comments can be submitted in advance to zkazmi@montclairnjusa.org

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