Preface This CD-ROM Summarizes 13 Documents That Establish A
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Planning for the Future: A Summary of Cumberland County Planning Initiatives October 2002 Prepared for the: Cumberland County Department of Planning and Development Prepared by: Orth-Rodgers & Associates, Inc. 80 Cottontail Lane Somerset, NJ 08873 (732) 564-1932 Preface This presentation summarizes 13 documents that establish a strategic plan for Cumberland County. This summary was created in the spring of 2002, as part of a Smart Growth study with the primary goal of promoting economic development in the 11 municipalities comprising the Cumberland Development Corporation (that part of the County lying outside the urban centers). Cumberland County and the City of Bridgeton are partners in this Smart Growth study. When the Cumberland Development Corporation applied for the Smart Growth grant from the State of New Jersey, it was recognized that such a study would not be the first to examine planning issues from a regional perspective. Cumberland County has been involved in numerous studies that offer ideas on how best to care for the land, improve the transportation system, attract jobs for Cumberland County residents, and other important policies that together are intended to protect the quality of life in the County. To improve the accessibility of these planning documents to the public, they have for the first time been gathered and summarized in one place. Ten of the documents were prepared by, or with the active involvement of, the Cumberland County Department of Planning and Development. They have been grouped into the following three categories: Infrastructure • Cumberland County Traffic and Transportation Plan: Update 2001 • Cumberland County Bike Trail Study (2000) • Cumberland County Wastewater Management Planning Environment • Cumberland County Delaware Estuary Study (1993) • Recommendations for Managing Land Use Along the Lower Cohansey River (1998) • Comprehensive Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the Maurice National Scenic and Recreational River (2001) • Cumberland County Farmland Preservation, Open Space, Parks and Recreation Trust Fund Plan (1996) Economic Development • Cumberland County Economic Development Strategy for Action (2000-2001) • Cumberland County Intermunicipal Empowerment Zone (1998) • Cumberland County Ecotourism Plan (1996) An Introduction to Cumberland County’s Planning Strategy explains how these different planning studies interact, and how together they comprise a planning vision for Cumberland County. Perhaps most importantly, though not included within the scope of this document, Cumberland County continually supports, assists and coordinates with municipal planning efforts and those of other groups active within the county. Several of the summarized plans were prepared at the state level, but have significant impact on Cumberland County. These include: • The New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan (2001) • Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) • New Jersey Pinelands Comprehensive Plan The State Plan affects the region by proposing how land should be developed in the future, particularly through mapping “centers” where development and redevelopment should be concentrated. CAFRA and the Pinelands Plan directly regulate how lands in their jurisdictions may be used. These summaries are accompanied by links for important maps and photographs. We hope that these summaries will provide a better understanding of the plans and policies that affect Cumberland County. For more detailed information about the plans after reading these summaries, please contact: Cumberland County Department of Planning and Development 800 East Commerce Street Bridgeton, NJ 08302 (856) 453-2175 An Introduction to Cumberland County's Planning Strategy Cumberland County takes a strategic approach to its planning efforts by targeting specific issues for attention. This has resulted in an ongoing series of plans and documents, spanning back to the Cumberland Plan of 1966, that together serve as a comprehensive plan for the county. In this way the county devotes its resources to current issues, and planning occurs as a timely, dynamic and responsive process. Planning efforts in Cumberland County confront a uniquely appealing set of opportunities as well as a perplexing set of problems compared to the rest of New Jersey and the urbanized northeast corridor. Visitors to the area often remark on the unspoiled nature of our countryside and the charming architecture of our towns. One outside observer commented that even the heaviest traffic in the county (with a few notable exceptions) is only an inconvenience compared to real traffic problems in urban areas. Land values and housing costs remain affordable. Cumberland County is one of the few places in the urbanized northeast where you may see a bald eagle soaring over the downtown areas; mark the seasons by the strawberries and other fresh produce available from local farms; and then enjoy a performance at a theater, all without traveling more than 20 minutes from home. Cumberland County has the natural and cultural resources to support a quality, hometown oriented lifestyle. However, there is also a more problematic aspect to the community. Our small towns and rural communities have social problems; our citizens require modern, efficient infrastructure where they live, work and play; and our children must be provided with a thorough, up-to-date education, and then perhaps, their own opportunities to live and work within the communities in which they grew up. The issues are compounded by several factors: 1) Cumberland County has some of the most distressed neighborhoods in the state; 2) local communities have few, if any, resources to deal with those problems; 3) its smaller population numbers make it hard to gain attention over the more densely populated and higher income areas to our north; and 4) the local economic base historically composed of industries such as manufacturing, glassmaking, textiles and oystering is distressed. Cumberland County needs improvements that would lead to a better quality of life, with more job and educational opportunities. At the same time there are local and statewide pressures to preserve our local environments and cultural heritage. In past studies, the general public has expressed support for open space protection and economic development equally, both receiving favorable ratings from about 60% of the population. A 1994 Cumberland County referendum on establishing an Open Space Trust Fund received support from over 58% of the voters; in a 1996 survey of property owners along the lower Cohansey River 62% agreed with farmland preservation and 63% agreed with economic development along the river; and in a 2001 survey of employers countywide, "a good location for business" and "protected farmland and open space" were ranked as positive characteristics of the county by a majority of the respondents. How can basic needs be met, and communities be maintained and improved, while still preserving natural areas of statewide and even global significance? Striking the right balance is an ever-present goal for county planning efforts. Development and environmental preservation do not have to be mutually exclusive. First and foremost the county works to make the most of its resources and opportunities. Conversely, whenever possible the county attempts to avoid the imposition of more regulations that would restrict opportunities. There's little imperative in discussing growth controls when the vacancy rate in our downtowns is measured in double digits, and the unemployment rate may be as much as double the statewide rate. The primary issues tackled in the county planning process involve public health, safety and welfare, and the provision of everyday needs, such as transportation and wastewater treatment. Then there are planning projects to enhance the quality of life, such as bird watching, bike routes, and cultural festivals. The timing for addressing those issues is determined by governmental leadership, public sentiments, funding availability, and critical situations and opportunities that may arise. Planning efforts in Cumberland County can be grouped into three broad topics: infrastructure, environment and economic development. While the issues may seem unrelated, Cumberland County approaches them with a common goal: using strategic planning to address needs and provide opportunities within our community. The County's ecotourism efforts are an excellent example of using one asset (environmental resources) to address other issues (economic opportunities). The provision of infrastructure, through new wastewater treatment systems, can also generate economic activity. Ecotourists need infrastructure for restaurants and rest rooms, and wastewater planning can thus support ecotourism efforts. The provision of wastewater treatment is also viewed as a key to the redevelopment of our hamlet and town centers, and this is reflected in our involvement with the State Planning process and the Water Quality Management Planning process. Centers cannot succeed without adequate wastewater treatment. Existing development won't remain competitive, and new development won't be attracted or approved. Wastewater management planning should be more responsive to local needs. Ecotourism and wastewater planning illustrate how each plan can be part of a wider vision, and sometimes planning must evolve to fill that role. Transportation and economic development provide another example. Mass transit has the ability to link distressed communities