Sustainable Hillsborough: A Vision for the Future

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Sustainable HillsboroughA Vision for the Future
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Sustainability More than just the environment
Sustainability addresses the interconnected
realms of Society, Environment and Economy to
promote lifestyles that are Healthy, Just, and
Efficient.
Preserving our Quality of Life for Us and Future
Generations
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NJ Communities Working Toward Sustainability

• Throughout the state, municipalities are taking
  on sustainable development as a community goal
• West Windsor MontclairBelmar Lawrenceville
  Highland Park

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Sustainable Hillsborough

• Hillsborough is among the first five communities
  in NJ to attempt a comprehensive a Sustainable
  Community Plan.
• An opportunity to create a vision for the future
  of Hillsborough and a plan to achieve it.

SUSTAINABLE
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The Sustainable Hillsborough Initiative

• Grant from the Municipal Land Use Center
• NJSSI and SBMWA are partners
• Planning Department is Hillsboroughs staff
• Purpose is to create a long-term vision, and
  action plan, and a way to track progress
• Emphasis on ensuring the plan is used
• Creates roles for government, citizens,
  businesses, congregations, homeowners
  associations, civic groups.

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A Plan for Sustainability

• Develop a vision and action plan for the future
  of Hillsborough
• GOALS for the sustainable development of the
  township
• INDICATORS to measure progress towards our goal
  and provide feedback
• STRATEGIES and ACTIONS to achieve the goals and
  move the indicators

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Goals What do we want?

• Prioritize the townships goals for future
  development, using past plans and community
  input

• Good Government
• Support local farming
• Preserve Environmentally Sensitive Lands
• Efficient Transportation
• Protect groundwater supply

• Economic Vitality
• Healthy, Equitable Communities
• Quality Housing
• Sustainable Community Design

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Indicators How are we doing?

• Indicators are any type of measurement of a
  trend or condition.
• Temperature, GDP and Ecological Footprint are
  different types of indicators.
• Sustainability indicators will measure the
  health of Hillsborough township as a
  sustainable community.

Some possible indicators of efficient
transportation in Hillsborough Township.
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Actions and Strategies What will we do?

• Strategies are action steps taken to meet the
  goals and targets of the plan
• Strategies may apply to government, citizens,
  businesses, developers or other community
  members.

Sustainable Strategies AUSTIN, TX City of
Austin offers a green building program of
education and financial incentives for residents
to build and remodel with energy-saving green
technology. LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ Sustainable
Lawrence partners with a local school to
integrate sustainability into the curriculum and
promote energy efficiency in school
buildings. CORAL GABLES, FL The municipal fleet
and emergency vehicles run on 100 biodiesel, a
low-emissions fuel made from soybean oil.
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Achieving SuccessEveryone has a role

• Governments can change municipal operations and
  guide development.
• Businesses can alter operations to minimize
  environmental and health impacts.
• Citizens can choose more sustainable products and
  lifestyles.

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Strategies to involve people and organizations

• There are many creative options for
  implementation
• Adopt an Indicator Community groups, schools,
  businesses, etc can focus on working to impact a
  particular indicator.
• Municipal Planning and Ordinances Incorporate
  recommendations into township efforts on land
  use, economic development, municipal operations
  and infrastructure.
• Sustainable Business Program Businesses that
  support a sustainable Hillsborough can earn
  recognition and increase local business.
• Development Checklist A list of guidelines for
  developers to ensure that all new development
  meets the goals of Hillsboroughs plan.

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What is the process?
Through a series of community events and meetings

• Create goals for future.
• Select indicators to track progress.
• Decide on actions and strategies.
• Write and distribute final Plan.
• Coordinate volunteer task forces and
  implementation.
• Evaluate indicators and goals to track progress.
• Change and improve actions and strategies.

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Tentative Timeline

• Kick-off meeting (today!) Gather input for draft
  goals.
• December and January Appoint project Steering
  Committee review public input, create draft
  goals.
• Second Public Meeting (February) Review Draft
  Goals and Objectives. Select Indicators. Think
  about implementation strategies.
• Third Public Meeting (Spring) Adopt goals and
  indicators, devise implementation strategies,
  form task forces.
• Establish permanent home for the plan.

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Questions

• Who will lead the process of creating the plan
  and choose the goals, indicators and actions?
• How will citizens be involved?
• Who has the authority to change the plan in the
  future?
• Who has the responsibility to achieve the goals?
• How will this whole thing work?