NJ County Planners Association

Minutes of March 12, 2004, Meeting

Hominy Hills Golf Course

Everest John, Atlantic Robert Brewer, Cumberland Neil Muller, Passaic

Matthew Duffy, Atlantic
Doug Griffith, Camden
Ed Fox, CCIA
Elif Karakurt-Franco, Bergen
Chris Helm, Bergen
Donna Orbach, Bergen
Burt Samuelson, Bergen
Christopher Helm, Bergen
David Hojsak, Burlington
Bob Kull, Burlington
Leslie Gimeno, Cape May
Jim Smith, Cape May
Marty Teller, Cape May
Matt Pisarski, Cumberland
Chuck Romick, Gloucester
Stephen Marks, Hudson
Rick Smith, Mercer
Matthew Flannery, Middlesex
Bill Kruse, Middlesex
George Veverides, Middlesex
Joe Barris, Monmouth
Linda Brennen, Monmouth
Bob Clark, Monmouth
Bonnie Goldschlag, Monmouth
Sabine von Aulock, Morris
Christine Marion, Morris
Janice Peal, Morris
Kevin Sitlick, Morris
Ron Ruckenstein, Salem
Tony Soriano, Somerset
Eric Snyder, Sussex
Liza Betz, Union
Kamal Saleh, Union
Gary Weltchek, Union
David Dech, Warren
Rich Miller, Warren
James Cordingly, COAH
Martin Bierbaum, MLUC
Donna Drewes, MLUC
Mike Reeves, SJTPO
Tim Brill, SADC

Welcome/Introductions
Linda Brennen, President, called the meeting to order shortly after 11:00 AM and each attendee made
an introduction.

Minutes for January and February 2004

Eric Snyder, Sussex, motioned for approval of the minutes for the January and February meetings,
seconded by George Veverides, Middlesex, and unanimously approved by the Association.

Treasurer’s Report
Dave Hosjak, Treasurer, reported the checking account had a beginning balance of $5,627.62 and an
ending balance of $5,654.05 for the period beginning on February 19 and ending on March 11, 2004.
Dave reminded the group that it was time for counties to submit their 2004 annual dues. Hudson and
Atlantic County were the first counties to pay in 2004. Eric Snyder motioned, Chuck Romick,
Gloucester, seconded, and the Association unanimously approved the Treasurer’s Report. Dave noted
that future Treasurer’s reports would note the assets under accounts receivable.

Committee Reports
Bill Kruse distributed a brochure for an upcoming seminar on stormwater and the creation of
municipal utilities, sponsored by the Lower Raritan Watershed Association and DEP.

Linda Brennen reported on a letter dated March 3, 2004, received from Tim Touhey, State Planning
Commission Chair, and Susan Bass Levin, DCA Commisioner. The letter was in response to last
month’s NJCPA resolution objecting to the State Planning Commission‘s schedule and the state
agency data presented for cross-acceptance. The State Planning Commission’s response letter
discussed the use of state agency data and the cross-acceptance schedule. The schedule was not
extended despite a NJCPA request for more time. Several counties, legislators and the League of
Municipalities received similar letters. In discussing the response of the State Planning Commission,
various counties noted that the counties could control the timeline through their work programs.
Bonnie Goldschlag, Monmouth, motioned that the NJCPA meet with the Office of Smart Growth to
again discuss county concerns about the use of state agency data and the need to extend the timeline.
Eric Snyder seconded the motion, and after a discussion the Association unanimously approved. The
Executive Board and chairs of the Statewide Planning Committee (Bonnie Goldschlag) and
Legislative Committee (Christine Marion) would attend the meeting.

Christine Marion, Legislative Committee, reported on the TDR legislation. A-2480 was up for a vote
in the Assembly. Highlands legislation was expected in April.

Linda Brennen, Education and Technology Committee, reported on the NJCPA website. Documents
can be converted to PDF format and placed on the website.

New Business
Marty Bierbaum, Executive Director of the Municipal Land Use Cen ter located at the College of NJ,
gave a powerpoint presentation. The mission of the MLUC is to assist and support municipal and
county government to meet land use challenges through education, training and technical assistance.
The geographic focus of the MLUC is the central region of the state consisting of Monmouth, Mercer,
Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon Counties.

There was a fifteen minute lunch break.

Presentations
The meeting reconvened for presentations on tools for cross-acceptance.

Projecting Build-out
Linda Brennen gave a powerpoint presentation on a buildout model developed and used by
Monmouth County. Work on the model began in 1999 and occurred in three phases. The first phase
reviewed 23 of the 53 municipalities in the county for zoning patterns and to create a composite
zoning coverage for their GIS. The second phase built and tested the model using zoning, land use,
2000 census, growth trends, employee studies and trip generation models. The third phase involved
impervious coverage. The model can make projects for municipalities and target areas, as well as for
buildout and interim horizon years. In response to questions, Linda noted that environmental features
in the model included wetlands, preserved farms, and parks; 10% of the residential land area was
allocated to streets and other infrastructure; CAFRA and Pinelands were accounted for in the
municipal zoning; and the model was flexible with zoning changes.

Eric Snyder reported on the Sussex County Smart Growth Plan. Factors used included zones from the
Highlands; C-1 waters with 300’ buffers; strategic growth areas; developed land on a HUC 14 basis;
and wetlands with 150’ buffers. About 2/3 of the area is available for residential use but affordable
housing in Pike County, PA, generates traffic flow in and out of Sussex County.
Christine Marion gave a powerpoint presentation of Morris County’s second attempt at a buildout
model based on parcel data. The first attempt was based on vacant land. Reasons for developing the
model included cross-acceptance, zoning and environmental impacts, master plan updates and the
new storm water regulations. Sabine von Aulock, Morris, discussed the Northwest Regional Impact
Access Study involving four towns, their potential buildout, and the carrying capacity impacts of
master plans and zoning on regional infrastructure and facilities. Development, redevelopment and
zoning minus environmental constraints determined the number of residential units and square
footage of commercial development. Develo pable parcels were identified through a vacant parcel
search. Kevin Sitlick, Morris, discussed the general methodology. Residential uses included single
and multifamily units. Residential density was determined by minimum lot size. Nonresidential
development included office, retail, service, industry, and warehouse. Nonresidential buildout was
determined by floor area ratio, building coverage and parking factors, which ever is lowest. There are
issues with data gaps and redevelopment. Christine concluded the presentation by noting that the next
steps for determining long term carrying capacity would involve factors for water supply,
transportation, open space, stormwater and schools.

The subsequent questions and discussion included a requirement for final plats to be filed digitally.
Redevelopment can result in re-zoning but the redevelopment areas tend to be relatively small and
can be accommodated in the model.

Municipal Surveys
Christine Marion discussed an in-house survey conducted by Morris County to compare municipal
master plans and zoning with State Plan maps and growth potential projected to the year 2020.

Bonnie Goldschlag handed out a survey used by Monmouth County to survey their 53 municipalities

Adjournment
Linda Brennen reminded the group that the next NJCPA meeting was scheduled for May 14. There
being no further business Chuck Romick motioned, seconded by Bob Brewer, to adjourn the
meeting.

Minutes prepared and submitted by

Robert Brewer, Cumberland County,

NJ CPA Secretary