Township of Brick

CAFRA Consistency Statement

February 27, 2007

Introduction

 

The Township of Brick has made significant strides to ensure that our plans consistent with the purposes of the Coastal Area Facility Review Act, (CAFRA) N.J.S.A. 13:19-1 et seq., and the Coastal Zone Management Rules. The Township has drafted and implemented a number of planning documents and policies that further the protection of the coastal ecosystems of the Manasquan River Watershed and the Metedeconk River Watershed that ultimately drain to the Barnegat Bay.  We are confident that the plans and policies of the Township regarding the built or natural environment consistent with the purposes of CAFRA, and the Coastal Zone Management Rules.

 

CAFRA Center Requirements

 

Coastal Consistency Statement

 

The Township of Brick has proposed two main strategies towards the advancement of natural resource protection and coastal management through the Plan Endorsement Process. These two strategies are to; 1. Augment the NJDEP regulatory programs through adoption of a Riparian Buffer Ordinance which will protect all riparian areas within 300 feet of all water bodies within the Township; and 2. Implement a Habitat Protection Ordinance which will provide assurance that Threatened and Endangered Species and their habitats are considered during the development and review process. In addition, the Township has recommended Planning Area changes to be consistent with the Land Use Plan, designating areas for public use and preservation as Planning Area 5 and areas that are currently developed as Planning Area 2.

 

Municipal Stormwater Regulations

 

The Township of Brick adopted the Municipal Stormwater Ordinance in compliance with the 2005 regulatory deadline and has provided the Ocean County Planning Department with the Municipal Stormwater Management Plan, which is currently under review for compliance.

 

 

Wastewater Management Plan

 

The Township is currently under the purview of the Ocean County Wastewater Management Plan. The Wastewater Management Plan is currently under review by the Ocean County Planning Department and the NJDEP to comply with Executive Order 109. The Township to date is entirely sewered or in a planned sewer service area and does not propose any changes to the overall plan.

 

Water Supply

 

The Township of Brick Municipal Utility Authority currently operates a state-of-the art treatment facility and raw water storage reservoir. The BTMUA currently won approval of a revised water allocation permit that increased its allocation from 8MGD to 16MGD and is well poised to provide public water to support the projected growth for the Township of Brick.  The existing water supply source comes from three deep water wells and the Metedeconk River pump station. The Township currently employs water conservation measures including even/odd lawn watering policies to ensure efficient use of available resources and drought management.

 

Zoning Ordinance

 

The Township of Brick has proposed four new ordinances as a result of participation in the Plan Endorsement process. These ordinances are consistent with the Coastal Zone Management Rules in that they provide additional protection measures to ensuring that coastal habitat resources are protected from development impacts and they encourage new development into the defined Brick Town Center, away from undeveloped, sensitive lands in the Coastal Zone.

 

Mixed Use Zone

o       Permits areas of mixed land uses including housing, retail, service, office, restaurants and supportive services

o       Incorporates provisions and standards for the development of Housing, Commercial Development/Redevelopment, Traffic & Circulation, &

o       Pedestrian Connectivity

Streetscape Ordinance

o       Creates standards by which all commercial developments are developed or redeveloped within the center to increase pedestrian access, requires cross-access

o       Between commercial sites, promotes improved landscaping and street side amenities including street trees, street furniture and sidewalks.

 

Riparian Buffer Ordinance

o       Protects all areas adjacent to waterways within the Township which are not already protected by NJDEP Surface Water Quality Standards Category One

o       Waterways, CAFRA, Freshwater Wetland Act and Coastal Wetlands

 

Habitat Protection Ordinance

o       Designed to incorporate habitat analysis at the development and review phase.

o       Requires applicants to identify if property has Threatened and Endangered species habitats mapped on-site.

The inclusion of these draft ordinances through the Plan Endorsement Process creates consistency with the Center Designation and with the Coastal Zone Regulations in that it serves to adequately address future changes in these areas from the current land uses to the future possible land uses created by the Mixed Use (MU) Zone.

 

Center and Planning Area Boundaries

 

The Brick Town Center, although located entirely around a Category One protected waterbody (Metedeconk River at Forge Pond), will not negatively affect this water resource due to the C-1 protection and the proposed Riparian Buffer Ordinance and Habitat Protection Ordinance.

 

The Planning Area Boundary changes that are being proposed by the Township are intended to provide a real time reflection of the current state of the land uses in the Township. A number of changes are proposed due to inaccuracies in mapping, for instance, some areas that have been residential subdivisions for more than twenty years are shown as PA5. In other instances, PA2 areas are shown where the Township, County or State has preserved lands.  A number of Critical Environmental Sites are proposed to be added to the Planning Areas Map as well.

 

Municipal Environmental Justice Plan

 

At this time, the Department has not indicated any environmental justice issues for the Township of Brick. However, the Township will cooperate with any future issues and seek technical assistance from the Department at such time.

 

Open Space, Recreation and Parks Plan

 

The Township currently has an active Open Space and Recreation Plan and participates fully with the Green Acres Program.

 

Habitat Conservation Plan

 

The Township has prepared a draft Habitat Map as part of the draft Conservation Plan Element and has proposed the Habitat Protection Ordinance to complement the protection of environmentally sensitive areas identified in that plan.

 

Historic Preservation Plan

 

The Township has established a local historic preservation commission and drafted a Historic Preservation Plan as part of the Master Plan. The Township of Brick does not have one specific area where historic preservation standards would be applicable.

 

Wellhead Protection Plan

 

The Brick Township Municipal Utility Authority completed a Wellhead Protection Plan which was submitted for review as part of the initial plan endorsement process. This plan is consistent with the NJDEP requirements for protection of potable water supply sources.

 

Water Conservation Plan

 

The Township of Brick implements water conservation through the Brick Township Municipal Utility Authority public outreach and education to reduce unnecessary watering during peak drought seasons and encourage reduced water consumption levels.

 

Stream Corridor Protection Plan

 

The Township has proposed the Riparian Buffer Ordinance which serves to meet the requirements of a Stream Corridor Protection Plan. Virtually all of the Townships streams fall under the jurisdiction of a NJDEP regulatory requirement which establish State-required stream setback, wetland transition area, and riparian buffers.