Some Questions for Discussion
About South Jersey's Identity
Should we focus on South
Jersey's identity as part of the "Delaware
Valley" region centered on Philadelphia? If so, do we want:
An Urban
Growth Boundary to keep development from "sprawling" even further from
the core?
More rail transit into center
city Philadelphia?
Policies to limit growth,
forcing development back into Philadelphia, Camden, Atlantic City and other
older cities?
Or should we have multiple
"Centers" throughout the region, each separated by "Environs," as contemplated
in the State Plan? If so:
Where do we draw the line
between "Center" and "Environs" in each township? Which townships
are already too filled in for this to make any sense?
Is it fair to tell some property
owners they can't develop their property because state planners have classified
it as being in the "Environs?" Should they be compensated for the
lost development rights? Is it realistic to impose this policy in
New Jersey's political environment?
Does the "Broadacre City"
vision suggest a third viable alternative? If so, could we:
Impose architectural and
landscaping standards to make dispersed development more attractive
Make our highways more attractive
and less congested
Build awareness and pride
in the region's communities and natural attractions and encourage
residents to get more involved in protecting and improving them
Can South Jersey develop
an identity as single region, centered geographically on the Pinelands?
Or would it be better more realistic to treat the three parts of South
Jersey separately?
The
Shore - Atlantic and Cape May Counties and part of Ocean County