Master Plan

May 4, 2022

The Planning Board on May 4 adopted the Master Plan. The Township is moving full-steam ahead on the vision for Sherman Avenue described in the Master Plan. Our streetscape planner presented a draft proposal to present to Council on June 21, 2022 for approval to move forward. 

Click here to view the Sherman Ave Concept proposal

April 20, 2022

The final draft Master Plan is now available for public viewing! After months of revisions following resident and stakeholder input over the past few years, via a series of public meetings and smaller group discussions, the Master Plan is en route to the Planning Board for a vote. That hearing and vote will be held May 4, 2022.

Click on the links below to view the documents. 

Volume I Master Plan: Existing Conditions

Volume II Master Plan: Vision, Goals & Recommendations

This document has truly been a labor of love, as the Master Plan Subcommittee, with our planners from Phillips Preiss Grygiel Leheny Hughes LLC, worked on this comprehensive land use policy document that will guide the physical development of the community for the next 10-15 years. 

The Master Plan outlines the community’s vision of its future and provides a roadmap to achieve it. At its core, the Master Plan provides the policy foundation to inform the Planning and Zoning Boards, Mayor, and Township Council’s decision-making on land use and development matters. It also serves as a guide for business owners, community groups, potential investors, residents and other stakeholders to understand how land use, transportation, natural resources and other factors will shape the built environment and quality of life of the community.

HUGE "Thank you" to resident photographer Lucinda Kiger Hayes for allowing us to use her beautiful photos in this very important document!

Section 2.1 VISION STATEMENT 

A vision statement in this case describes what our Township desires to achieve in the long-run, generally in a time frame of five to ten years, or sometimes even longer. It depicts a vision of what our community will look like in the future and sets a defined direction for the planning and execution.

Berkeley Heights is currently experiencing an unprecedented level of residential development activity as a result of the Township’s Third Round affordable housing settlement agreement. The current growth presents both challenges and opportunities for the community. While the Township will continue to uphold its obligation to provide a realistic opportunity for the production of housing affordable to low- and moderate-income households, it does not envision substantial future growth and development. 

The Township will continue to enhance its community facilities and infrastructure to ensure a high quality of life for residents. Its residential areas will retain their strong neighborhood character defined by bucolic streets and eclectic homes for families, while offering improved walking and bicycling access to parks, schools, and the Downtown. At the same time, the Township will accommodate a variety of housing options, business services and open space and recreation facilities. Berkeley Heights will remain an attractive community for new households and provide enhanced housing options, services and amenities to allow older adults to age in place. Finally, the Township will embrace the values of diversity and inclusion and provide a welcoming community for residents from all walks of life. 

Revitalized Downtown Berkeley Heights will be both a treasured community asset serving local needs and a destination that draws visitors from the broader region. With a backdrop of engaging architecture and walkable streetscapes, passive and active recreational spaces where the community can come together, a new public library, family-friendly programming and cultural events all-year-round, and a diverse mix of businesses, the Downtown will offer a distinct sense of place. Connell Park will augment the Downtown as a regional hub for economic activity, anchored by leading institutions and companies in technology, healthcare and medical services, real estate, finance, and other professional service sectors. It will also be a model for live-work-play communities that expand the local tax base, promote new employment opportunities and provide additional retail and entertainment options to complement the Downtown. 

Finally, Berkeley Heights will become more sustainable and resilient as a community. With the protection of existing natural areas and open spaces as the top priority, the Township will incorporate sustainability principles in all stages of development and growth. There will be expanded use of alternative and renewable energy, enhanced stormwater management and flood risk reduction programs, tighter integration of green building and low-impact development practices, and strengthened stewardship of natural resources. With a focus on long-term growth and prosperity, the Township will be a sustainable and resilient community that is well prepared to adapt to future environmental challenges.