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• Land Development Review
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Planning Division

Special Projects/Long Range Planning

Responsible for:

• Wastewater Management Plan
• Legislative Action Reports
• Municipal Zoning Reports and Master Plan Summaries
• Legislative Review And Monitoring
• Housing Data and Analysis
• State Plan Cross-Acceptance
• Municipal Master Plan And Development Ordinance Review and Filing
• Watershed/Water Quality Activities
• Demographic And Census Analysis
• County Master Plan/ Planning Report Preparation
• Special Projects Research/Analysis

Current Projects

Wastewater Management Plan

The revised NJDEP Water Quality Management Rules (N.J.A.C. 7:15-5.4) designated the responsibility for preparing wastewater management plans to the county boards of chosen freeholders. The County of Morris has accepted this responsibility and is working in coordination with the NJDEP and the municipalities in developing this plan.

Morris County New Residential Housing Study

The Study analyzes 2003 to 2009 new home warranty data to assess current trends and potential long range housing issues in terms of type, size, price and location. The analysis will provide a detailed assessment of recent housing development compared to current demographic trends.

Green Initiatives Recharge and Bio Retention Projects

Staff will identify all stormwater basins on county-owned property and assess their feasibility for conversion to groundwater recharge basins and application of water quality improvement measures. Staff is also assisting the Whippany River Watershed Action Committee in a pilot project to convert existing stormwater basins at Morris View and the Public Safety Training Academy to "Bio-Retention" basins, which will filter pollutants to improve groundwater quality in the watershed.

Morris County Commercial Development Study

In 2010, staff developed a Commercial Vacant Land Database to support the activities of the Morris County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). The current phase of the project involves compiling building data on all existing commercial properties in Morris County for development of an Existing Commercial Use Database. This inventory will include the size and location of all commercially and industrially developed property and related infrastructure and environmental data. The database will be used to identify potential redevelopment sites, augment the MCEDC database of actively marketed commercial sites and provide the basis for further economic and land use analysis.

Ongoing Activities

Municipal Zoning Reports and Master Plan Summaries

The Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A 40:55D-13, 15, & 16) requires municipalities to provide a copy of all proposed and adopted master plans, plan amendments and development regulations to the County Planning Board. Staff prepares monthly reports on municipal master plans and zoning ordinances for the Morris County Planning Board in advance of its regular meeting.

Legislative Action Reports

Staff monitors proposed planning-related State and Federal regulations and legislation and identifies those which may affect planning and development activities in Morris County. Relevant topics include: housing, economic development, redevelopment, energy policy, environment, transportation, land use, historic preservation, open space, and agriculture. A summary of legislative activity is provided to the County Planning Board on a monthly basis.