This document summarizes discussions from a community planning meeting in Maurice River Township. Over two days, a team of planners discussed regional issues affecting the township, priorities identified by residents, and assets that could be built upon. Key concerns included how to boost ecotourism by improving trails and wayfinding, developing the local economy while respecting natural resources, and reducing the tax burden. The planning team sought input on strategies and next steps to address these challenges and opportunities.

1. Community Planning Assistance Program
Maurice River Township
June 26 & 27, 2012

2. 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

3. Design Team
Aaron Kardon
Creigh Rahenkamp
Ebony Washington
Michael Yaffe
Jennifer Feltis
Louis Joyce
Kwan Hui
Tom Schulze
David Kutner

4. http://mr.ideascale.com
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.”

5. Regional Issues That Affect Local Initiatives

6. Issues - Ecotourism
• 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

7. Issues – Ecotourism (Cont.)
• Villages lack identity
• Lack of ecotourism amenities
• No major services

8. Issues – Local Economy/Quality of Life
• Fiscal health of municipal
government
• Villages lack identity
• Sign regulations
• Seasonal traffic congestion
• No major services
• Taxes are too high
• Motorized recreation
opportunities needed.

9. Issues – Local Economy/Quality of Life (Cont.)
• Town discourages
businesses
• Locations where commercial
activity can occur is often
state-owned
• Pinelands/CAFRA
regulations are limiting
• Access to infrastructure

10. 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

11. What We Missed/Input-Questions
Your Turn
?

12. What Comes Next
• Team Work session
• Presentation of strategies and recommendations

13. Community Planning Assistance Program
Maurice River Township
June 26 & 27, 2012