def # 228 12/09/11
OCEAN COUNTY UPDATES MASTER PLAN
TOMS RIVER - Following months of review and discussions, the Ocean County Planning Board is moving into the final stretch
of approving a revised Ocean County Master Plan.
"This has been a lengthy process including an extensive review of the current plan," said Freeholder Gerry P. Little,
who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Planning Department. "Our planning staff has been working closely with the
Planning Board in updating this document. I want to extend my appreciation to the staff and Planning Board for their
diligence during this process."
The draft master plan will be the subject of a public hearing scheduled for 6 p.m., Dec. 14 in Room 119 of the Ocean County
Administration Building, 101 Hooper Avenue, here. The plan is scheduled to be before the Planning Board for a formal vote at
its Dec. 21 meeting.
Ocean County Planning Director David J. McKeon noted that the public comment period on the document will remain open until
Dec. 19.
"Written comments will be accepted up until 5 p.m., Dec. 19," he said.
Written comments can be sent to the Ocean County Planning Board at P.O. Box 2191, Toms River, N.J. 08754.
Planning Board Chairman Richard Work said that county master plans are authorized under the County Planning Act and unlike
municipal master plans, which are tied to zoning, county master plans are not regulatory.
"A county master plan provides an overview of the county, pertinent issues and general recommendations on various programs
and land use issues," Work said. "The jurisdiction of county Planning Boards is limited to the impacts of new development to
county-owned roads and drainage facilities."
McKeon said that unlike municipal master plans there is no update required for County Master Plans.
"While the previous county master plan was adopted in 1988, elements of the master plan, like open space, solid waste
management and military land use compatibility were included over time and now updated as part of the revised master plan,"
McKeon said. "The decision to update the master plan now was based on the age of the document, the 2010 Census and the
desire to be consistent with the new state planning approach at the governor’s level."
Little said that the revised master plan was drafted in-house by the county planning staff along with a subcommittee of the
county Planning Board.
"The process began in early 2010 and the full county Planning Board was updated on the progress at the conclusion of each
Planning Board meeting including a final workshop held at the Dec. 7, 2011 meeting of the Planning Board," Little said.
He said the draft plan had been hand-delivered to all 33 municipalities, and all county library branches in November.
"The draft plan also can be accessed from the county’s website at www.co.ocean.nj.us and clicking on the link in the
Updates box," Little said.
McKeon said the document covers a number of areas including stormwater management, which was updated to include the
Governor’s 10-point plan on protecting Barnegat Bay.
"The County Master Plan highlights regional issues and can be viewed as a guide," McKeon said. "The new plan takes a
closer look at business assistance programs, water resources, green energy promotion, and the importance of Joint
Base - McGuire, Dix and Lakehurst."
