VI. RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PLANS

(Adopted 11/13/00, revised 4/1/02)

The Municipal Land Use Law requires that every master plan contain an element that examines the relationship of the master plan with those of other political jurisdictions that may be affected by or affect the plan. The purpose is to encourage planning consistency among political jurisdictions. This element addresses this by evaluating the relationship of this plan to the plans of the State, County and adjacent municipalities. As documented below, there is a high level of consistency between this master plan and those plans. As also required by law, included are specific policy statements recommending future coordination of Township policies with those of other jurisdictions.

REGIONAL PLANNING

OVERVIEW AND BACKGROUND

Following are the major factors affecting the Township’s relationship to adjacent communities, the County and State.

· One neighboring community, Mendham Borough, forms a major part of the municipal land boundary with Mendham Township. The Township has been and remains almost exclusively residential while the Borough contains areas of commercial uses serving both communities. All other municipalities contiguous to Mendham Township are residentially zoned along the border with the Township.

· The various portions of the Morris County Master Plan are of widely varying ages of adoption. Notably, the Morris County Land Use Plan dates from 1975 and is of little current relevance. On the other hand, the County Circulation, Water Supply and Open Space plans were more recently adopted and are relevant to Mendham Township and this Master Plan.

· In 1992, the State Development and Redevelopment Plan was adopted in accordance with state law after a number of years of negotiations among various levels of government (state, county and local), interested citizens and groups. The plan designates Mendham Township as in Planning Area 5 - Environmentally Sensitive because of environmental concerns especially associated with important water resources.

· The Ten Towns Committee was formed as an advisory group among the municipalities that form the watershed of the Great Swamp to recommend land use policies that would help protect the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. The Township actively participates in this process.

 

RELATIONSHIP OF THIS PLAN

TO CONTIGUOUS COMMUNITIES

Of the seven municipalities that border Mendham Township (Mendham Borough, Randolph Township, Morris Township, Harding Township, Bernardsville Borough, Peapack and Gladstone Borough and Chester Township), Mendham Borough is the most significant to the Township because it forms the largest common municipal border and because it forms the commercial center for both municipalities. The other six municipalities have smaller common borders surrounding the Township. All seven municipalities are predominantly single family residential and have shared concerns about preserving the environmental quality and historic character of their municipalities.  

Policy Statements

General Statement.

To the extent possible, there should be consistency regarding land development policies along both sides of municipal boundary lines. Whenever there is a major development application proposed along the municipal boundary line, there should be mutual cooperation between the neighboring communities to mitigate any significant impacts wherever possible. In addition, it is in the best interest of all municipalities in our region to cooperate where possible on the whole range of municipal services.

Land Use Planning.

In making planning and zoning decisions in the areas adjacent to adjoining municipalities, the Township should take into consideration the existing land use patterns, planning and zoning in those municipalities. It is evident that this has been the long-standing policy of all the municipalities that border Mendham Township. There exists a high degree of consistency in the planning and zoning along all the various municipal boundary lines. In order to promote the general public welfare, this policy should continue to be pursued by all communities in our area. Consistency of land use planning between municipalities is of mutual benefit and should be an important factor in making planning decisions. No planning proposals of regional significance or significant impact on other communities are proposed in this plan.

Inter-Municipal Cooperation.

Many issues of concern in this plan can most effectively be addressed in cooperation with other municipalities. In particular, the water quality of groundwater and surface water resources can best be addressed on a regional basis. In addition, the provision of municipal services can often most effectively and economically be provided in cooperation with other municipalities. Examples include:

· Police Dept. and First Aid Squad inter-municipal mutual aid

· Fire Dept. inter-municipal mutual aid

· Potable water supply

· Inter-municipal public welfare

· Tax collection (computer links to Morris County Tax Office)

· Building Dept. (computer links to the State)

· Combined (with Mendham Borough) Court Administration (computer links to the State)

· Library (County Library services)

· Recreation

· Schools (Regional High School)

Mendham Borough is a geographically smaller municipality almost surrounded by the Township. The existing land use pattern along the joint border is substantially consistent on both sides of the border. In most cases, the pattern is of established neighborhoods of medium to low density single family residential homes. The future land use planning and zoning in both municipalities is reflective of this, permitting future development that is consistent with the established residential neighborhood development pattern. One small area is zoned for Limited Business at the intersection of Mendham Road and Cold Hill Road reflecting the existing uses of the area. No major planning issues or concerns between the two municipalities are foreseen based on current planning and zoning.

Randolph Township forms the northern border of Mendham Township. It is a geographically large municipality and is demographically larger than Mendham Township. The joint boundary is substantially developed with medium to low density residential homes on both sides of the border. The planning and zoning in both municipalities is reflective of this established pattern, permitting future development that is consistent with the established pattern. The two townships have cooperated in the formation of historic districts straddling their border. No major planning issues or concerns between the two municipalities are foreseen based on current planning and zoning.

Morris Township forms the northeastern border of Mendham Township. It is a geographically large municipality and is demographically larger than Mendham Township. The joint boundary is substantially developed with low density residential homes on both sides of the border. The planning and zoning in both municipalities is reflective of this established pattern, permitting future development that is consistent with the established pattern. The two townships have cooperated in the formation of a historic district straddling their border. No major planning issues or concerns between the two municipalities are foreseen based on current planning and zoning.

Harding Township forms much of the eastern border of Mendham Township. It is a geographically large municipality and demographically similar to Mendham Township. The joint boundary contains substantial areas of County parkland and the Morristown National Historical Park. The balance of the boundary is substantially developed with low density residential homes on both sides of the border. The planning and zoning in both municipalities is reflective of this established pattern, permitting future development that is consistent with the established pattern. The two townships have cooperated in the formation of a historic district straddling their border and are cooperating in the preservation of the environmental quality of the Great Swamp. No major planning issues or concerns between the two municipalities are foreseen based on current planning and zoning.

Bernardsville Borough forms much of the southeastern border of Mendham Township. It is geographically smaller but demographically similar to Mendham Township. The joint boundary is substantially developed with low density residential homes on both sides of the border. The planning and zoning in both municipalities is reflective of this established pattern, permitting future development that is consistent with the established pattern. No major planning issues or concerns between the two municipalities are foreseen based on current planning and zoning.

Peapack and Gladstone Borough forms much of the southwestern order of Mendham Township. It is geographically smaller but demographically similar to Mendham Township. The joint boundary is substantially developed with low density residential homes on both sides of the border. The planning and zoning in both municipalities is reflective of this established pattern, permitting future development that is consistent with the established pattern. No major planning issues or concerns between the two municipalities are foreseen based on current planning and zoning.

Chester Township forms the western border of Mendham Township. It is geographically larger but demographically similar to Mendham Township. The joint boundary is substantially developed with low density residential homes on both sides of the border. The planning and zoning in both municipalities is reflective of this established pattern, permitting future development that is consistent with the established pattern. No major planning issues or concerns between the two municipalities are foreseen based on current planning and zoning.  

RELATIONSHIP OF THIS PLAN

TO MORRIS COUNTY PLANS

Mendham Township is located in Morris County with the county seat located a short distance to the east in Morristown. Morristown is a regional center for Mendham Township’s region. The County plays an important role in the Township’s municipal affairs because of the county roads that pass through the Township and the numerous County owned and maintained bridges located in the Township.

Morris County in recent years has attempted to foster a cooperative working relationship with its communities through such efforts as the cross acceptance process and Morris 2000. This cooperative relationship has helped to promote a high degree of consistency between municipal and county planning and should be continued and expanded where appropriate in the future. Consistency in planning between the Township and the County is of mutual benefit and should be an important factor in making planning decisions.

The elements of the Morris County Master Plan of most relevance to Mendham Township are the Circulation Element and the Open Space and Recreation Plan Element. Other elements of the County Master Plan are either very dated, and thus of little relevance, or have little applicability to the Township. Circulation Element. This element was adopted in 1992. It contains general policies for maintaining and improving traffic circulation and transit opportunities. Where applicable to Mendham Township, they are generally consistent with this plan and should be generally supported by the Township. One area is of particular concern to the Township is maintaining the character and width of County Roads and bridges, especially in historic areas. The County (Planning Board and Freeholders) has shown increased sensitivity to these local concerns in recent years.

RELATIONSHIP OF THIS PLAN

TO STATE PLANS

The State has played an increasingly prominent role in planning in New Jersey in recent years. It ultimately controls the legal framework for planning through the Municipal Land Use Law and through the increasing amount of legislation and regulations that directly or indirectly affects municipal land use planning. Since 1992, it has taken a more direct role through the drafting and adoption of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan. The process of adoption involves cross acceptance between the various levels of government, interested organizations and individual citizens. This ongoing process is helping to build a consensus around future planning policies in the state.

Mendham Township has actively participated in the cross acceptance process reexamining the revised State Development and Redevelopment Plan. The Township should continue to support the policies in the State Plan.

All of Mendham Township is included in a PA-5 Environmentally Sensitive planning area designation in the State Development and Redevelopment Plan adopted in 1992. This reflects concerns about the impact that further development would have on environmentally sensitive features and resources in the Township. Of particular concern are the Township’s water resources which have regional importance.

One of the fundamental goals of the State Plan is to encourage "center-based" land use planning and to discourage the continuation of suburban "sprawl" development patterns. Most simply put, relatively higher density of development of mixed uses should be in centers (villages, town centers, and cities) surrounded by areas of relatively low density. Mendham Township should support these goals.

OtherPlans.doc