Madison Master Plan FAQs
Madison Master Plan FAQs
If you want to learn more about the Madison Master Plan, here is a list of typical questions and additional information.
Madison Master Plan FAQs
Why is the Borough preparing a new Master Plan?
Madison’s last Master Plan was adopted in 1992. While several Master Plan Reexamination Reports were subsequently prepared, it has been almost 30 years since a comprehensive land-use evaluation has been undertaken. E-commerce, real-estate investment structures, cellular technology, resiliency and placemaking have shifted the terrain of local planning. This process is an opportunity to bring contemporary planning, concepts and approaches into focus to rethink and refine Madison’s trajectory. The Master Plan will reflect recent changes and determine new goals and visions for the next 20-30 years in Madison.
What will be covered in this Master Plan?
This Master plan process is focused on several master plan components per the New Jersey Municipal Land use Law, including a new land-use element, historic preservation element, and community mobility element.
- The Land Use Element will cover existing land use patters, existing zoning, and current and emerging demographic, economic and development trends. It will also layout the future land use vision for the community and recommendations to support it.
- The Historic Preservation Element will review existing cultural resources via prior surveys and mapping; current Borough preservation policies and regulations; trends and emerging issues of concern; and recommendations.
- The Community Mobility Element will focus on Complete Streets, an all-ages/all abilities approach to roadway safety and community design. This section will emphasize conditions in the downtown and along streets that funnel traffic from residential neighborhoods to the downtown. Existing conditions will review crash analysis/trends, existing bicycle/pedestrian/ADA facilities in select areas. This section will also cover trends and emerging concepts in Complete Streets and provide recommendations regarding the Borough’s Complete Streets policies and design typologies for common conditions within the downtown and along minor arterial roadways that connect residential areas to the downtown.
It is important to note that the Borough Planning Board will consider the adoption of a new Open Space Plan independent of this process. The Open Space Plan will be integrated in the current effort and will be included in the draft Master Plan. In addition, the Borough’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan is being updated via a litigation process and is distinct from this Master Plan.
What level of detail/information goes into a Master Plan?
A Master Plan is equal parts an aspirational vision and practical response to challenges facing the Borough that express themselves via land development. It is a framework for guiding future development and implementing this vision. It is NOT a prescription, a formula, nor is it set in stone. It is not a zoning ordinance, though it will likely include recommendations to regulatory approaches, including zoning. It is a plan that should be revisited in the future as conditions shift and policy directions need to be refined.
What’s different about a Master Plan compared to a focused study on one issue?
The challenge of master planning is the integration of various issues related to land use and community design/community character. Because of this integration, master planning necessarily involves a balancing of the challenges related to development, growth, and preservation.
For all other questions, please email MadisonMP@publicinput.com.