Master Plans have been the cornerstone of American cities and towns, including Montclair, since the early 1900s. The Master Plan guides local development decisions which affect quality of life in many ways, including: a healthy environment, safe and efficient roadways and transportation systems, appropriate design and location of buildings, compatible land uses, adequate public facilities, and impacts to property values and taxes.

The Master Plan is essentially the blueprint used by the Township to guide decisions regarding both growth and conservation. It provides a cohesive focus by outlining development goals and objectives for a community and identifying suitable locations for commercial, housing and mixed-use development and open space and recreational areas. The Master Plan establishes mechanisms for preserving environmental, historic and cultural resources and integrates the various components involving community life through community facilities, circulation/transportation and utilities plans.

The Master Plan has evolved to keep pace with changing needs and new theories of public decision making and must be revised and updated to match trends and lifestyles. The last comprehensive Master Plan prepared for Montclair was in 1978. Over the past 33 years, many things have changed and parts of the plan have been updated, including the Housing Element, Historic Preservation Element and the Conservation Element. Montclair Township, in partnership with the Municipal Land Use Center and the New Jersey Department of Transportation, is working with a team of consultants to create a new Unified Land Use and Circulation Master Plan Element. The new Element will guide policy changes to keep zoning and development consistent with the Township’s vision.

For more information, please contact Janice Talley, Planning Director, 973-509-4953, or email the Project Team: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .