RESOLUTION on Residential Site Improvement Standards (N.J.A.C. 5:21)

WHEREAS the Township of Long Hill has recently adopted a revised Master Plan

based on extensive public participation; and

WHEREAS the maintenance of the rural character of the Township is a central

feature of this planning document; and

WHEREAS a significant portion of the Township lies within the Great Swamp

watershed; and

WHEREAS Long Hill Township has been an active participant in the NJDEP's Great

Swamp Watershed Advisory Committee and in the ongoing Great Swamp "10 Towns"

Committee; and

WHEREAS both of these regional planning groups have supported the concept of

strict stormwater regulations to preserve the regional environs;

and

WHEREAS Long Hill Township is in the process of adopting a new stormwater

management ordinance that will require strict standards to control both the rate

and volume of stormwater in order to protect the Great Swamp National Wildlife

Refuge and the upper Passaic River corridor;

and

WHEREAS modern stormwater management techniques often require narrower

streets, elimination of curbing, reduction in sidewalks, and other efforts to

minimize impervious surfaces;

and

WHEREAS many of the requirements of the Residential Site Improvements

Standards act would preclude the implementation of these modern techniques;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Township Committee of the

Township of Long Hill, County of Morris, State of New Jersey opposes the

adoption of the Residential Site Improvement Standards (N.J.A.C. 5:21) legislation;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, should the legislation be adopted, Long Hill

Township shall seek a waiver from these requirements as a special site because

our goals for the protection of regional public lands, the preservation of rural

character, and the preservation of the historic roadways of the region cannot be

accomplished under the restrictions of the new legislation.