Overview

Welcome

The Coastal Monmouth Plan (CMP) is an important two-year regional planning effort that will outline a vision for the future of the Monmouth County, NJ Atlantic coastal region, which spans over 27 miles of the New Jersey shore. Covering the region as a whole as well as each of the 30 municipalities within the study area, the plan will help the communities prepare, collectively and individually, for sustainable growth, while protecting environmental resources and maintaining their unique coastal character.

Underway as of fall 2006, the plan will be completed in the Fall 2008.
 

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About the Project

Thirty diverse municipalities in Monmouth County are located within the region covered by the Coastal Monmouth Plan. These municipalities -- which range from cities to developing suburban areas to small, fully developed beachfront towns -- are in close proximity to over 27 miles of the Atlantic Ocean coastline. All of the communities in the region are located east of the Garden State Parkway and are in some way impacted by seasonal shore tourism. However, each municipality has its own distinct community character. Many are long-established "Shore" towns, historically associated with summer tourism, which are now being developed and redeveloped to accommodate thousands of new, permanent residents. Other communities, which are more inland, are also engaged in redevelopment and revitalization.

The challenge for these communities – and for the state: create a plan for development and renewal of all municipalities, both affluent and less affluent, to meet market demands while directing growth in a sustainable manner that considers environmental resources and community character.

Planning Board Sets Study in Motion

To address this challenge, the Monmouth County Planning Board has initiated the Coastal Monmouth Plan, an important regional planning effort that will outline a vision for the future of both the Coastal Monmouth Region and each municipality within the study area. The study is funded through a Smart Futures Grant from the Office of Smart Growth. The County has contracted with Maser Consulting P.A., in Red Bank, NJ, to help conduct the study.

This plan has several purposes:

• The focus: to establish a set of planning alternatives to help coastal municipalities manage their remaining development potential, conserve open space, explore redevelopment opportunities, and address the impacts of future growth on infrastructure, the natural environment and the overall quality of life.
• To formulate a plan that will be adopted as an element for the Monmouth County Growth Management Guide.
• The ultimate objective: to formulate a regional plan suitable for endorsement from the New Jersey State Planning Commission.

A Step-by-Step Approach

The study will examine the region's land development pattern and identify the present and future availability of growth to support economic development. Then, using demographic, socioeconomic and land use data, it will evaluate a set of planning alternatives to help the area guide future growth and conservation efforts. An Implementation Agenda will provide a strategic framework for municipalities, the county and state agencies to follow in order to carry out identified strategies necessary to meet the vision of the Coastal Monmouth Region.

Participation by All Municipalities is Critical

The key to success of the plan is active participation by all municipalities in the study area, as well as participation by other individuals and community stakeholders representing environmental, historic preservation, business and other interests. Municipalities that participate in this regional study will be able to use the data, information and results from the Coastal Monmouth Plan in their own municipal plan endorsement petitions to the State Planning Commission. The County will support municipal plan endorsement petitions that are consistent with the Coastal Monmouth Plan.

Regional Collaborative Will Guide Preparation

A Coastal Monmouth Regional Collaborative, comprising representatives from each municipality, will meet regularly and guide the preparation of the plan. Other stakeholders include representatives from NJ Transit, the NJ Department of Transportation, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection, the NJ Office of Smart Growth, the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority, the Monmouth County Planning Board and other agencies who will be invited to participate. Preparation of the Coastal Monmouth Plan began in the fall 2006. Completion is expected by the Fall 2008.
 

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Participants

The municipalities included in the Coastal Monmouth Plan, and which comprise the Coastal Monmouth Region, include:

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Anticipated Milestones

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Events Calendar

MAC and Regional Stakeholder Schedule

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Project Library

Meeting Materials

04-30-2008:Public Meeting and Open House (PDF)

03-31-2008:Regional Collaborative Meeting #4 Presentation (PDF)

11-19-2007:Regional Collaborative Meeting #3 Presentation (PDF)

03-15-2007:Regional Collaborative Meeting #2 Presentation (PDF)

01-31-2007:5th Wednesday Presentation, Plan Introduction

11-21-2006:Questionnaire - see "Member Login" near the top of this page

11-20-2006:Regional Collaborative Meeting #1 Presentation; Introduction (PowerPoint)

11-19-2006:Municipal Goals and Objectives(PDF)

11-19-2006:Coastal Monmouth Plan Goals (workshop) (PDF)

11-19-2006:Workshop (PDF)

Meeting Agendas

Meeting Minutes

Horizons Newsletter

Newsletter #1 - 4-21-08

Reports

Coastal Monmouth Plan - Status Report

Planning Implementation Agenda - Draft

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Press Center

Press Releases

11-27-2006: Monmouth County Launches Study to Address Future Development of Coastal Area

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Contact Us

Questions? E-mail: coastalmonmouth@maserconsulting.com

For more information on the Coastal Monmouth Plan, please contact:

Join the CMP Mailing List:

Want to join the Coastal Monmouth Plan mailing list? E-mail your name, company, address and telephone number to Joseph Barris, jbarris@monmouthplanning.com.
 

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