Frequently Asked Questions

  • A Master Plan is a comprehensive document that serves as a roadmap, intended to guide the physical, economic, and social development of a municipality. The Plan is composed of goals, objectives, and recommendations that are designed to achieve a town’s shared vision and guide future policy decisions.

    A Master Plan can address a wide range of topics and/or geographic areas of importance to residents and other stakeholders. It can provide an overall vision for a place and identify key priorities and strategies toward achieving the vision. It can provide direction in terms of investing in transportation improvements and public facilities, changing zoning regulations, protecting ecologically-sensitive areas, or becoming more environmentally sustainable. Concept plans and other visuals within a master plan can demonstrate ideas and hoped-for outcomes.

    The Master Plan is also the basis for a municipality’s zoning regulations. In New Jersey, all municipalities are required to have a master plan and to “reexamine” it at least every 10 years. The reexamination process can represent a stepping stone for updating or creating a new master plan. However, the resulting Reexamination Report itself does not constitute the actual updated or new master plan.

    The Borough Council and administration use the Master Plan to prioritize the direction of policy as well as to strategize the best use of time and resources. The Council will use the Master Plan when making decisions about new laws and ordinances as well as budgets and spending. These decisions should be consistent with the Master Plan’s goals and objectives and should be designed to effectuate the Master Plan’s recommendations.

    The Planning Board and Board of Adjustment refer to the Master Plan when making decisions on development applications as any new development should be consistent with the Borough’s land use goals and objectives as well as the recommendations of the Land Use Element in particular.

  • A Master Plan is organized into sections called “Elements.” Each Element includes an evaluation of conditions and guiding principals to plan for the future. In addition to the Borough’s Housing Element and Fair Share Plan that was previously prepared by others, the Borough of South Plainfield’s new Master Plan will consist of the following Elements:

    • Land Use Element, including Borough-wide Goals and Objectives

    • Circulation Element

    • Open Space and Recreation Element

    • Economic Development Element

    • Sustainability Element

    • Community Facilities Element

    • Utilities Element

    • Recycling Element

  • Yes! The Borough’s current Master Plan was adopted on May 9, 2000.

  • Since 2000, the Borough has conducted two reexaminations of the Mastr Plan, the first in 2006, and the most recent in 2014.

    The goal of this process is to create a single, user-friendly document with all the up-to-date Plan Elements conveniently located in one place.

  • This website will be the central public portal of information for this initiative. Next, make sure to sign up to receive updates when a new post is added to the page. Look for the phrase “Receive E-mail Updates” on the site and follow the instructions.

    The Borough’s website and social media outlet (Facebook) will feature important dates and milestones in the process, providing links to more details as they arise.

    We strongly encourage you to attend scheduled events and voice your comments. Additional information regarding time and location is forthcoming so don’t forget to check back often!

  • An online form is available on the Contact Us page for residents and other interested members of the community to ask additional questions about or offer suggestions for this process. As the process moves ahead, there will be more formal opportunities to participate in the visioning process through workshops, surveys, and other methods.

  • Any important announcements will be posted in the main lobby of Borough Hall.

  • We are anticipating a final draft to be presented at a Planning Board meeting in June 2025. Check back often for updates!