Monmouth's Plan for Growth and Culture Under Review

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Public Comments Sought

By Joseph Sapia
Monmouth County invites residents to participate in the Master Plan initiative by attending an open house Tuesday, May 10, in Freehold Township.
The event is 6 to 8 p.m. at the county Agricultural Building, 4000 Kozloski Road.
The county Planning Board seeks input as it develops a new Master Plan.
“The county encourages residents to be active in the development of the Master Plan by offering suggestions and asking questions,” said Serena DiMaso, deputy director of the county Board of Freeholders and its Planning Board representative. “Stakeholders who familiarize themselves with the goals, principles and objectives of the plan and spur discussion on how to improve the drafted document benefit many areas throughout Monmouth County. These suggestions help us work more effectively with local and state government on recommending how to offer substantive solutions through constructive feedback.
“The objective is to incorporate plausible ideas that benefit our communities and stakeholders,” DiMaso said. “Implementing a workable plan involves an ongoing dialogue and openness that improves the initial concepts that were proposed. The County welcomes the expertise many residents possess and anticipate their input.”
“When completed, this countywide Master Plan will focus on redevelopment, revitalization and rediscovery of communities throughout the County,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, the freeholders’ liaison to the Planning Board. “It is important to remember that the master planning process also recognizes that each municipality has its own individual character and identity. Comprehensive planning relies on the use of emerging technologies as well as traditional methods of input from citizens and stakeholders.”
“The goal of adopting a Master Plan is to combine County planning initiatives with strategies at the federal, state and local levels of government that optimize the most efficient use of public resources,” said Monmouth Planning Board Chairman Paul Kiernan Jr. “The public benefits economically by retaining and attracting businesses which creates the demand for well-paying jobs and an expanding the tax base. With this approach, we are able to encourage the sustainable use of public lands while maintaining the commitment to protect natural resources.”
All information, along with updates, is available on the dedicated Monmouth County Master Plan Update website.
Public comments will be accepted until May 31. Suggestions must be submitted formally, and will not be accepted at the Open House. Attendees will be directed to send comments via email to the Monmouth County Division of Planning at https://co.monmouth.nj.us/index.aspx. For further information, please call the planning office at 732-431-7460.

This article was originally published in the May 12-19, 2016 edition of the Two River Times newspaper.