The West Amwell Township’s Planning Board meeting of December 11, 2001 was called to order in the new Municipal Building located at 150 Rocktown Lambertville Road, at 7:30 p.m. by Chairman Jeff Ent, same declaring compliance with Open Public Meetings Act. The meeting was taped and tape placed in the general file.

Roll call on attendance: Ent-here, Comly-here, Hunt-here, VanDerVeen-here, Palladino-here. Shapella-here, Perri-here, Greenwood-here, Buchsbaum-here.

Absent: Dudbridge, Meader.

Also, present: Anthony Mercantante, P.P.

MASTER PLAN

Herbert Simmens, Secretary and Principal Executive Officer of the N.J. State Planning Commission gave a presentation. He distributed a copy of the Executive Summary of the "NJ State Development and Redevelopment Plan," adopted March 1, 2001.

Mr. Simmens informed the Board, West Amwell is one of only three (3) municipalities in the State which lies in two (2) regional plans.

On the State Plan Map, West Amwell has two major areas, #4-Rural Plan Area, and #5-Environmentally sensitive area. The growth areas of the municipality should be in the designated "centers" such as: Mt. Airy (hamlet), or along County Route 179 (crossway). Mr. Simmens stated, the Township can protect itself from too much growth by outright purchase of lands, or use some of the new tools to control density: TDR (transfer of density), down zoning, or clustering. The Township could provide incentives for clustering with a ten (10) percent discount or transfer. He said, the Municipality must craft their plan in great detail for the growth areas. Look at the farms, and try to find ways to insure the economic survival of the existing farmers. Review tree protection in the Municipality.

The Master Plan Draft:

Mr. Simmens stated the State would do a consistency review of the Townships Master Plan Draft. The review committee would send back recommendations and ideas. After this review

the Township could implement any changes and send the Final Master Plan for a formal review.

Barbara Walsh, State Representative for the Planning Commission is implementing a New Plan Endorsement Process. The State Planning Commission is a seventeen (17) member board. Master Plans if endorsed, would allow that Municipality to become qualified for benefits and funding.

There is a $ 273,000.00 "Smart Growth" grant. This is being implemented by Carolyn Armstrong. The areas targeted for these funds are rural, environmentally sensitive areas IE: steep slopes and wetlands. West Amwell could benefit from this grant program.

Mr. Simmens recommended an "implementation element" be added to the New Jersey Master

Plan. (The visuals: where very helpful to the Planning Board members and the audience).

There were nine people in the audience.

Palladino suggested and informal review of the Township’s Master Plan Draft by the County and State Committees.

ADJOURNMENT

Motion to adjourn at 10:05p.m. was set forth by Comly and seconded by VanDerVeen.

Roll Call: all members present - signified ayes.

Respectfully submitted,

Catherine L. Park, Secretary