View the entire newsletter for more articles: 2023 – NJAC County Biz – January
by Brad Fay, Chief Communications Officer for Somerset County
Somerset County thinks of itself as the “crossroads of the crossroads of the American Revolution,” based on its rich history. That’s just one reason why the county in 2022 became the first in the nation to update and then combine its historic, open space, and farmland preservation plans into a single, comprehensive plan.
Adopted by the Somerset County Planning Board in May 2022, the plan has already won two awards, from the New Jersey Planning Officials Association and from the nonprofit Preservation New Jersey.
“Thanks to bipartisan efforts over many decades, Somerset County has more than 24,000 acres of preserved land, with even more in the hands of local governments and non-profits,” said Commissioner Director Shanel Robinson. “This new combined Preservation Plan works to integrate these great results with enhanced management, additional acquisitions, and new marketing campaigns to tell the world about the open space, agricultural and historic gems that make Somerset County a great place to live, work, play, and visit.”
The County’s preserved land inventory includes 15,000 of open space and close to 9,000 in farmland. The goal is to increase the combined amount by 67%, carrying on the tradition that earned New Jersey’s nickname: “The Garden State.”
“There are far more benefits to preserving farms than just restricting development,” said Commissioner Paul Drake. “Farmers markets provide healthy, local foods for residents, and are also a draw for tourists who come for apple or pumpkin picking, specialty produce available only at their stands, or even family fun like summer hayrides, complex corn mazes, and Halloween scare fests.”
The creation of the plan was overseen by Walter Lane, Director of the county’s Office of Planning, Policy, & Economic Development. Lane was named Planner of the Year in December by the New Jersey Chapter of the American Planning Association.
“Our new preservation plan recognizes that the quality of life we offer in Central Jersey is a key driver of our economy, by attracting residents, visitors, and businesses,” Lane said. “By preserving farms, open space, and historic resources we improve economic outcomes, too.”
The plan was celebrated at an event in September at the site of the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) and the Sourland Conservancy in Montgomery Township. A video of the event includes an announcement of the county’s intention to support the museum, in keeping with the new plan’s objectives.
“By integrating historic preservation into the county’s overall preservations efforts, our Preservation Plan became unique in the nation,” said Commissioner Deputy Director Melonie Marano. “With business travel slow to recover since the pandemic, we want to bring more leisure tourism to our county to visit our parks, farms, and historic sites. This plan is a roadmap to achieving that vision.”