Attendees:

Wilma Morrissey
Steve Taylor
Faith Hahn
Mary Burne
Cathie Oliver
Dejung Gewissler
Eric Anderson
Michael Craghan
Andy Thomas
Tom Thomas

The meeting began with group introductions. Mr. Taylor introduced the guest speakers, Mr. Tom Thomas and Mr. Andy Thomas from Thomas Associates. The presentation featured a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) modeling tool that may be helpful to area municipalities in planning future land uses. The model is designed to highlight lands protected by existing laws and policies and graphically display where protected lands are in relation to other lands uses such as commercial and residential land use zones. The goal is to give planning boards a better understanding of where development can occur and where natural features should be protected.

The presented GIS project was conducted for Sussex County and provided a build-out analysis based on the State's nitrate dilution model. Sussex County started the project from scratch by building GIS data layers with the most elementary data layers like streets as an overlay. The goal of the project was to investigate where development can occur in the county once properties were properly accounted for by ownership, use, and environmental constraints.

To assist the design of the project, a Strategic Growth Advisory Council was formed with 17 members and was assigned six tasks:
" Collect existing and new GIS data
" Prepare countywide GIS program
" Develop a build-out analysis
" Develop a fiscal impact analysis
" Engage in a "visioning" process, and
" Institute a public participation process

The Visioning process was formed to facilitate development of a new Master Plan for the County. Four questions were posed:
" Where are we now?
" Where to we want to go?
" What do we want to be?
" And, how do we get there?

The following key data layers were compiled and examined for the project:
" Existing land-use
" Residential zones
" Wetlands and streams
" Steep slopes

Potential areas for development were examined by looking at physical characteristics first. A database component was created featuring lots, zones, municipalities, area, district name, etc. In the end, 818 zoning districts were mapped featuring sewer service areas and future service areas. The results showed that 90 percent of the area was anticipated to be on septic under build-out scenario.

The Trella-Douglass Nitrate Dilution Model was utilized to show nitrates from septic systems and was based on soils, 4 members per household, over 100 soil types, and assuming 2.4 - 3 acres for septic disposal area for entire county. Then the question was asked, "how many acres conform to these requirements?" The result was that the majority of properties do not conform to NJDEP septic standards.

A key data layer for the project was termed the "eco-zoning layer" that included items such as wetlands, stream buffers, steep slopes, endangered species, C1 classification, trout production, trails, farmland preservation, reservoirs, state & federal property. Some in the community did not want steep slopes taken out so a compromise was established that permitted 1 dwelling per 10 acres. The thought was that there may be natural shelves on the property that would allow a building.

The final product was based on zones or areas of protection and development. Information is not currently available by specific lot. A key lesson for town decision makers is that they need to save commercial vacant land now. For Sussex County, there is concern that there is not enough left to ensure the economic vitality of the area.

This type of analysis can be extremely helpful to municipalities in planning future land uses. It can provide important information about land use capacity and the diversity of use. It can be very informative to local decision makers when deciding where and what type of development should occur throughout a municipality. It provides more comprehensive investigation into what a township can support and where essential preservation measures must occur.

Following a short discussion on protecting parklands, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.