Moorestown Planning Board To Discuss Master Plan Revisions

MOORESTOWN, NJ - The Moorestown Planning Board will hold a special meeting to discuss the Master Plan Reexamination Report on Thursday, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. at town hall, 111 West Second Street.

Planning Board members received a copy of the report on Nov. 2, and a copy of the report has been posted on the township website. The 2022 master plan was adopted in 2002, and updated several times. It was last revised and re-codified in 2014.

In May of this year, the Planning Board appointed a sub-committee of four board members along with Community Development Director Tony Zappasodi, Planner Judith Murphy, PP, AICP and Master Plan Professional Brian Slaugh, PP, AICP, to review the Master Plan and develop the report.

“The Reexamination Report analyzes the Master Plan as it exists today, documents how our community has changed since our last re-examination, and assesses current trends and development patterns,” according to the announcement for the meeting. “The final Report, when approved by the Planning Board, is intended to provide recommendations for the Town Council regarding how the Master Plan and related policies could or should be updated in the future.”

• Prepare a new housing plan element and fair share plan as required by the affordable housing agreement;
• Revise the land use element to address issues related to the affordable housing sites;
• Study land use patterns for additional possible age-restricted housing;
• Revise the land use element to allow for the possibility of new microbreweries and craft distilleries, and recommend that local farms be encouraged to produce wine or cider on site as a secondary land use;
• Look at ways to reduce traffic near the Northwest Business Park;
• Refine the priority list for open space acquisition based upon the recommendations of the Open Space Advisory Committee;
• Revise the Open Space and Recreation plan to assess the capacity and need for new or redeveloped recreational facilities, and to address bicycle and pedestrian routes and facilities;
• Add a Sustainable Development and Green Practices element to the Master Plan;
• Preparation of a Utility Element addressing water supply, wastewater management, and storm water management is recommended. Conversely, the Planning Board could adopt a standalone storm water management element. Should legislation be enacted that permits storm water utility, the Township should review the bill and analyze whether establishing such a utility is feasible or desirable; and
• Rezone the areas designated for proposed affordable housing as necessary.

In all, the report addresses issues including open space, farmland and development; Downtown/Main Street; the Lenola District; the preservation of historic and cultural resources; the environment; institutional and residential uses; housing and population; school enrollments; economic trends/budget constraints; affordable housing; the state’s development and redevelopment plan; storm water management; the state of retail stores and businesses in the township; infrastructure; wastewater and storm water management; recreation and bike way development; community facilities; and land development.

Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting. Any or all members of council may be in attendance to observe, but not to conduct official business. The report can be found here.
See related: Moorestown Council Candidates Debate Affordable Housing At Forum

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