Conservation Element of Master Plan on Agenda Tonight

Cranford residents and business owners will get a chance to scrutinize and, officials hope, approve of the town's Master Plan at a final public hearing tonight.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the council chambers in the municipal building.

Cranford’s master plan is a work-in-progress, a long-range strategy for future land use, downtown development, housing options, and roadwork strategies based on the town’s changing needs.

The plan will also address Cranford conservation concerns.

Nelson Dittmar, chair of the Environmental Commission, will present the Conservation Plan Element portion of the Master Plan tonight.  The Conservation Plan identifies the key resources and features within Cranford that should be maintained and protected.  It contains a set of recommendations designed to preserve, conserve, and use the town’s natural resources.

“The recommendations are consistent with the twenty-one conservation goals listed in the proposed Master Plan," said Dittmar. "They range from creating more stream buffers along the Rahway River, which would help reduce flooding, to improving the bike paths and encouraging increased use of bicycles in town, to increasing protection for existing trees.”

The preparation of the Conservation Plan was partially funded by a grant from the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions.

Check out the online version of the Master Plan here (PDF link).