Vision Set for Parks, Open Space and Transportation Improvements
The Planning Board has unanimously adopted an updated Master Plan, following the input of thousands of residents and local businesses that shared ideas, asked questions, made suggestions and engaged in thoughtful discussion about the future of the Township.
Hundreds of residents attended three community workshops and more than 1,600 respondents contributed more than tens of thousands of comments in a community-wide survey held last year. This feedback was essential for shaping the physical, social, environmental and economic future of the community.
The Master Plan, adopted Oct. 27, sets a vision for the future of the Township in areas of municipal land use zoning, open space acquisitions, transportation improvements, utilities, infrastructure, economic development and plans for new parks and recreation opportunities.
“Public input was a key step in working together with the community at large to develop a thoughtful and strategic Master Plan,” said Mayor Stephen Dalina said. “Each person brought unique ideas and experiences that were valuable to the outcome of this process. The final product is the reflection of the wishes and desires of Township residents as we prepare for the future.”
In summary, the plan:
- Limits residential development, expand open space purchases, new parks and the creation of more stores, restaurants and other appropriate service businesses in commercial areas where there is existing infrastructure. The plan calls for the creation of more walkable commercial areas in town.
- Proposes the expansion of existing parks and the creation of new and additional recreation opportunities.
- Specifically identifies potential parcels to target for open space preservation, which would increase the amount of preserved open space by more than 370 acres.
- Develops strategies to improve traffic circulation and safety through intersection improvements and low-cost safety improvements, assess traffic operations across 15 miles of major roadways and at least eight major intersections in Monroe.
