The Camden County Freeholder Board is in the process of updating its long-range master plan for the vision of development in region. The crafting of a new master plan includes new land use and highway circulation components long with focused planning for public transportation and smart growth.
“The input from residents and members of our community are the best asset to create a roadmap for the future and help the county achieve our objectives,” said Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. “It only takes about five minutes to take the survey online to help us identify our goals and priorities. We are eager to hear everyone’s vision for the future of the county.”
The survey is available online at http://surveymonkey.com/s/camdencounty2040
The county’s current master plan dates back to 1972. Since that time, much has changed in the way people live, learn, work and travel in the county. An updated guide provides benefits to all 37 municipalities by articulating a shared vision.
“This document will direct future investments when they are most needed, it will align with local objectives and will incorporate today’s best practices in planning such as transit-oriented development and greenways,” Cappelli said.
The master plan will be divided into specific thematic “elements,” showing the county planning board’s recommendations for areas of future growth, public right-of-ways and areas of preservation or protection. The process encourages the county board to work collaboratively with municipalities towards a common vision for the county’s future.
Scheduled for completion in 2014, the effort is in its first phase, where the public can provide input that will help shape the plan. Group Melvin Design, a planning and design firm located in the City of Camden, has been hired to work on the land use element, while the highway circulation element will be undertaken by Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. The two elements will be combined with a recent Open Space and Farmland Preservation Plan to establish a unified master plan for the County. This $150,000 effort is being paid for with a grant from the DVRPC.
For more information on the master plan, land use element, and highway circulation element, visit Camdencountymasterplan.com.
