Highlands Draft Regional Master Plan November 2006

1. Highlands Draft Regional Master Plan November 2006

2. I. OVERVIEW • Enactment August 2004 • Comprehensive Resource Assessment • Data Analysis and Refinement • Public Participation • Policy Decisions • Release of Draft Regional Master Plan • Public Comment Period • Plan Adoption • Pre-conformance • Conformance • Revision and Re-adoption every 6 years

3. II. HIGHLANDS REGION • 850,000+ acres (18%) • 65% of State’s drinking water • 5.4 million People • 115 billion gallons consumed each year

4. Development Pressure 3,000 – 5,000 acres lost each year -2/3rds from forest -1/3rd from farmland

5. Long-Standing State Protection Effort “The Highlands watersheds are the best in the State in respect to ease of collection, in scantiness of population, with consequent absence of contamination…These watersheds should be preserved from pollution at all hazards, for upon them the most populous portions of the State must depend for water supplies. There has been too much laxnessin the past regarding this important matter.” -1907 Potable Water Commission Report

6. III. RESOURCE ASSESSMENT • Legislature mandated that Council develop a regional master plan that would protect the water and other natural resources based on a RESOURCE ASSESSMENT.

7. Experts, New Data & Applications Experts On staff US Geological Survey Rutgers University NJ DEP Hatch Mott MacDonald NJ Water Supply Authority North Jersey District Water Supply Commission Meadowlands Stream inventory 250 miles of previously unmapped streams New Jersey Highlands

8. What’s new in the Plan • Comprehensive, science based land use plan • 1st Regional water analysis at sub-watershed level • Parcel data: 1st time major plan on lot by lot level • New regional resource data bases: incl. forests; preserved open space & farmland • Regionally shared zoning database: ability to update zoning changes at municipal level

9. Findings of Resource Assessment • Compromising ability to meet future water needs • 54% of watersheds demand already exceeds availability • Additional 10% at risk in near future • Population growth increases water demand

10. Need for Funding • To protect drinking water sources we need to preserve land • Requires adequate funding

11. …Funding • Over the next 10 years, over $750M from county and municipal open space taxes and private preservation funds • Plan calls for additional State preservation funding • Priority list

12. IV. REGIONAL MASTER PLAN • Fulfill the intent of the Act • Protect our vital water supply

13. Zones • Like local zoning • 3 Major overlay zones • Protection (Water & resource protection) • Conservation (Promote agriculture) • Planned Community (Human needs/ economic viability) • Each zone has standards

14. Protection Zone The most important natural resource lands Protecting natural resources, especially water

15. Conservation Zone • Captures regionally significant agricultural lands • Established to promote agriculture within the framework of the Highlands environment

16. Planned Community Zone • Areas of existing development • Established for the purpose of working with municipalities and counties to determine appropriateness of further development given the presence or absence of water and sewer and the desire of the town to grow.

17. Changing the Way We Value & Use Land • Increase land use efficiency • Revitalization • Adaptive Reuse • In Fill • Property Assemblage • Still protect natural resources Washington Borough

18. How Plan Applies to a Property • To determine how the Plan applies • Consult the Map or Atlas to determine the zone • Refer to the Plan for the standards that apply in that zone • Check for site-specific standards

19. Zone Standards (generally) • Protection: prohibit the disturbance of natural resources or expansion of infrastructure. • Conservation: promote agriculture and allow limited development where appropriate • Planned Community: support development and State funding incentives consistent with site design, green building, resource restoration & other site specific provisions.

20. V. SIGNIFICANT NOTES Vote to Release Draft Plan • This STARTS a process of discussion with counties, municipalities, and the public • Key concepts are included • Council expects to make changes before adoption; the Plan will evolve

21. Key Points • No mandatory growth • Promotes agriculture • Establishes funding as a priority • Works collaboratively with COAH goals • Promotes new, efficient land use

22. Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) • TDR program to provide additional funding for preservation needs. • TDR feasibility grantprogram ($1M) • Initial capitalization of TDR Bank • Municipal interest in TDR receiving zones

23. Respect “Fairness” and “just compensation” Residents, Land Owners, Farms & Businesses • Drinkable Water • Wells don’t run dry • Pre-Act valuation • Preservation funding • TDR • Exemptions/Waivers

24. Conformance • Council will make it a friendly process • Clear, straight forward procedures • Benefits to towns: legal shield, presumption of validity, planning grants • $12M a year in grant funding already available • Towns benefit whether conform or not (latest science and technical assistance)

25. VI. SCENARIOS • Environmentally Sensitive Areas • Promoting Agriculture • Example of growth in the Highlands

26. Environmentally Sensitive Areas • Exemptions (& threat to natural resources) • Preservation priority & TDR bonuses • Specially planned areas

27. Promoting Agriculture • Promote agriculture within the framework of the Highlands environment • Protect agricultural lands • Consider agricultural needs • Consider clustering in appropriate circumstances

28. Example of growth in the Highlands • Growth must be appropriate • Approach growth in a “new way” • Focus on redevelopment opportunities • Washington Borough, Warren County

29. Adjustments and Revisions • During public comment and conformance • Information-driven process Agency Coordination Serve as lead agency in Region

30. VII. NEXT STEPS • Extensive Distribution • Public Comment • DraftPlanComments@highlands.state.nj.us • 6 Hearings • Open Houses • Comments and changes • Adoption

31. Pre-Conformance • Conformance • Clear process with Council guidance, assistance & funds • Conformance Incentives • Legal defense shield • Presumption of validity • Planning grants • Conformance Initiation • 9-15 months after adoption

32. Please give us your input Welcome to the process

33. NEW JERSEY HIGHLANDS COUNCIL www.highlands.state.nj.us