For Immediate Release:
May 6, 2016
Public invited to Master Plan Open House
May 10 open house is opportunity to ask questions and offer comments
FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ –The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Monmouth County Planning Board invites residents to participate in the Comprehensive Master Plan initiative by attending the Monmouth County Master Plan Open House and Networking Event on Tuesday, May 10, between 6: and 8 p.m. The open house will take place at the County’s Agricultural Building located at 4000 Kozloski Road, in Freehold Township.
The Monmouth County Planning Board is advancing the development of a new County Master Plan and looking for community input.
“The County encourages residents to be active in the development of the Master Plan by offering suggestions and asking questions,” said Serena DiMaso, Freeholder Deputy Director and a freeholder representative on the County’s Planning Board. “Stakeholders who familiarize themselves with the goals, principles and objectives of the plan and spur discussion on how to improve the drafted document benefit many areas throughout Monmouth County. These suggestions help us work more effectively with local and state government on recommending how to offer substantive solutions through constructive feedback.
“The objective is to incorporate plausible ideas that benefit our communities and stakeholders,” continued DiMaso. “Implementing a workable plan involves an ongoing dialogue and openness that improves the initial concepts that were proposed. The County welcomes the expertise many residents possess and anticipate their input.”
The Monmouth County Planning Board is advancing the development of a new County Master Plan and looking for community input. All information along with updates is available on the dedicated website https://co.monmouth.nj.us/page.aspx?ID=4197.
“The County Planning Board has developed, adopted and supported plans that help set policy for countywide roads, open space, farmland preservation and scenic byways, along with regional plans for the County’s coastal, western and panhandle regions,” explained DiMaso.
The County’s Master Plan reinforces a public policy investment strategy throughout the County, provides complimentary elements identified in the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) for assistance in development of municipal master plans, and includes documents adopted by reference and incorporated into the Master Plan.
“When completed, this countywide Master Plan will focus on redevelopment, revitalization and rediscovery of communities throughout the County,” stated Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, who is the County liaison to the Planning Board. “It is important to remember that the master planning process also recognizes that each municipality has its own individual character and identity. Comprehensive planning relies on the use of emerging technologies as well as traditional methods of input from citizens and stakeholders.”
“The goal of adopting a Master Plan is to combine County planning initiatives with strategies at the federal, state and local levels of government that optimize the most efficient use of public resources,” said Monmouth Planning Board Chairman Paul Kiernan Jr. “The public benefits economically by retaining and attracting businesses which creates the demand for well-paying jobs and an expanding the tax base. With this approach, we are able to encourage the sustainable use of public lands while maintaining the commitment to protect natural resources.”
All information, along with updates, is available on the dedicated Monmouth County Master Plan Update website.
Public comments will be accepted until May 31. Suggestions must be submitted formally, and will not be accepted at the Open House. Attendees will be directed to send comments via email to the Monmouth County Division of Planning at https://co.monmouth.nj.us/index.aspx. For further information, please call the planning office at 732-431-7460.
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