LETTERS
2003 Master Plan showing its age
”Open and timely” update needed: Residents
[Every town and borough in New Jersey must re-assess its Master Plan document – the blueprint that guides growth, conservation, and land use – at least every six years. This letter was delivered to the mayor and borough council in early May.]
The time has come again for our Master Plan Reexamination. The 2002 Master Plan Reexamination and the following 2003 Highland Park Master Plan presented a vision for borough development based on conditions at that time. While a valuable effort, encompassing the work of many professionals, elected and appointed officials, as well as some volunteers, the current master plan does not adequately address the new challenges that Highland Park and the surrounding region now face.
Predictable changes and growth in our region have placed intense pressures on Highland Park. For example, the region’s increased housing needs will create denser traffic patterns and demands to build on our few remaining green spaces. We can expect more proposals for high-density development in the near future, as part of a statewide vision that encourages densely populated commuter corridors near transportation centers such as New Brunswick and Edison train stations. The construction on Route 18, once complete, will lead to a "modernization" of Route 27 by the state. The (unpredictable) rapidly changing economy has impacted our commercial and industrial sectors, reflected in the changes downtown and along our light industrial corridor.
According to state law, now is the time for the Highland Park Planning Board to commence another Master Plan Reexamination. Our last Reexamination occurred in 2002. . . . . New Jersey State Statute 40:55D-89 [describes] the obligation of the municipality and the time frames.
Our community must once again anticipate and respond to this period of uncertainty, and decide what is required to protect and enhance community life in Highland Park while meeting environmental and social justice standards as well. This is best accomplished with a Master Plan Reexamination, to evaluate the changing social, environmental, and economic conditions now impacting Highland Park.
In addition, Highland Park Mayor and Council have new reports, the results of task forces and existing boards that must be incorporated into the Master Plan. These reports include the Highland Park Green Community Plan developed by the mayor’s Highland Park Green Community Working Group; plans for the Business Improvement District; and county open space plans -- as well as economic forecasts and indicators compiled by state and local agencies.
Given that our borough must embark on the Master Plan Reexamination of 2008, and that public education and discussion on these complex and significant issues requires adequate time, we urge the Council to direct the Planning Board and Borough Planner to develop a comprehensive, inclusive, open and timely Reexamination process. This should be assigned a high priority on the borough's upcoming agenda.
We have prepared educational and thematic materials describing what the Process should look like and the current regional conditions that need to be included in the Reexamination framework. We request a meeting to discuss our specific concerns and suggestions with the Mayor, the Council liaison to the Planning Board and any other Councilmember or borough official that is interested in the upcoming Master Plan Reexamination. We look forward to your response.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
(Residents for a Livable Highland Park)
Gail & Jeffrey Aaron
Anne Barron
Carolyn Bodner
Gladys and Murray Cohen
Leona Kaufman
Mark Montesion
Robert & Kazumi Pestka
David Younge
Jeffrey Zajac