Master Plan
A Master Plan is a planning document developed to guide the use of lands within the municipality in a manner which protects public health and safety and promotes the general welfare. Under New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, the Master Plan is adopted by the Planning Board.
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.
A periodic reexamination of municipal plans is required under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-89 to be conducted every ten years. The reexamination is conducted by the Planning Board and reviews the master plan and development regulations. A report on the findings of such reexamination is adopted by the Planning Board by resolution. A link to the 2016 Master Plan Reexamination Report is available here(PDF, 455KB).
2025 Sustainability & Resilience Amendment: The Planning Board has scheduled a public hearing to amend the Unified Land Use and Circulation Element of the Master Plan to adopt the new Sustainability + Resilience Amendment for 2025. The public hearing is scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025 at 7 pm, at the Council Chambers of the Municipal Building (205 Claremont Ave). The current draft of the plan amendment can be viewed here: Montclair Sustainability Resilience Amendment with Appendix (Draft Sept 2025)
Adopted Master Plan Elements
The Township of Montclair has adopted a total of 5 elements which comprise the Township Master Plan. Those elements, along with their year of adoption, are as follows: