workshop day 1
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
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