FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 8, 2009
County Planning Board recognized for publications
Technical assistance brochures deemed to be ‘outstanding’
FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Planning Board was awarded the New Jersey Planning Officials’ 2009 Achievement in Planning Award for Outstanding Publication for its first two technical assistance outreach brochures for municipal planning.
This user-friendly, how-to series of brochures was designed to assist municipalities and the public by making the planning process less complex and continue the county’s outreach efforts by encouraging people to get more involved at various stages of planning for their community.
“We are proud of the Planning Board for creating these important tools for municipalities and are excited that they have been recognized by their peers in the planning field,” said Freeholder Deputy Director John D’Amico, who is also a Planning Board member. “With these brochures, the public is better able to understand local planning procedures by removing complexities in the process.”
The award presentation will take place at the Woodbridge Hilton Hotel in Woodbridge in late April. Accepting the award on behalf of the county Planning Board will be principal planner and project manager and principal planner Zunilda Rodriguez.
“Many local decisions on development, growth, preservation and conservation are governed by various types of laws and procedures,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, who is also a Planning Board member. “For Monmouth County’s efforts to be recognized by the New Jersey Planning Officials is a wonderful achievement, but our citizens are the real winners because these technical assistance brochures are a must-have for anyone interested in learning how local planning fits together.”
“These manuals will serve as an invaluable daily resource to planning boards, zoning boards of adjustment, governing bodies, attorneys, municipal clerks, land use administrators and board secretaries and planners alike,” Assistant Planning Director Bonnie Goldschlag said.
The first volume produced was the Master Plan Re-examination Report Procedures and the second volume was the Master Plan and Official Map Procedures. Three additional technical assistance guides are under development and scheduled to be released by the end of the year on zoning ordinances and maps, redevelopment area investigations and plans, and noticing procedures.
Each volume will include a quick reference guide, fast facts on essential information, referenced resources and a step-by-step procedural checklist to follow. Monmouth County municipalities receive a copy of each volume as it is completed. The brochures are accessible online through the Planning Board section of the county’s Web site at www.visitmonmouth.com. For additional information, contact the Planning Board by telephone at (732) 431-7460.
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