Community Planning Assistance ProgramCommunity Planning Assistance Program

Maurice River TownshipJune 26 & 27, 2012

Discussion Topics

Introduction

Project Team

Regional Activities that affect local initiatives

Issues – What We’ve Heard

Township Assets

What We Missed/Input-Questions

What Comes Next

Design Team

Aaron Kardon

Creigh Rahenkamp

Ebony Washington

Michael Yaffe

Jennifer Feltis

Louis Joyce

Kwan Hui

Tom Schulze

David Kutner

Trending Ideas• “I'd like to see State agencies pay share of taxes!”• “It is extremely hard to open and operate a small business in MRT due to extreme

levels of regulation.”• “Having an attractive restaurant with decent food, especially if it had a waterfront

view, would draw tourists and help to provide economic benefits to other businesses in the township.”

http://mr.ideascale.com

Regional Issues That Affect Local Initiatives

• Limited business to capture traffic/limited time commitment of tourists

• Assets not promoted effectively to non-township residents

• Lack of trails and pedestrian bike networks

• Lack of way-finding

Issues - Ecotourism

• Villages lack identity

• Lack of ecotourism amenities

• No major services

Issues – Ecotourism (Cont.)

• Fiscal health of municipal government

• Villages lack identity

• Sign regulations

• Seasonal traffic congestion

• No major services

• Taxes are too high

• Motorized recreation opportunities needed.

Issues – Local Economy/Quality of Life

• Town discourages businesses

• Locations where commercial activity can occur is often state-owned

• Pinelands/CAFRA regulations are limiting

• Access to infrastructure

Issues – Local Economy/Quality of Life (Cont.)

Township Assets

• Safe community, don’t have to lock doors at night

• Close enough to resort shore towns and far enough away from resort shore towns

•Everyone knows everyone else

•Rural character

•Natural Amenities

What We Missed/Input-Questions

?Your Turn

What Comes Next

• Team Work session

• Presentation of strategies and recommendations

Community Planning Assistance ProgramCommunity Planning Assistance Program

Maurice River TownshipJune 26 & 27, 2012