1. The Nuts and Bolts of
Noncontiguous Cluster Development
New Jersey Future Webinar
November 7, 2012
Made possible with generous support from
The Bunbury Company | Community Foundation of New Jersey | William Penn Foundation

2. Today’s Agenda & Speakers
1. Introduction
Chris Sturm, senior director of state policy, New Jersey Future
2. The Process of Adopting the Noncontiguous Cluster Approach
Jim Dowd, member, Delaware Township Planning Board
3. Planning Considerations and the Mount Olive Experience
Frank Banisch, president, Banisch & Associates
4. Implementation through Development Projects
John Riggs, director of planning and environmental protection,
Monroe Township
5. Questions and Answers and Wrap Up

3. A few “housekeeping” details
• To ask questions, please type them in using
the “chat box” on the lower left of your screen
• If you are having technical problems, call 609-
393-0008, x314
• A follow-up email will provide links to today’s
presentations and other resources

4. About New Jersey Future
Smart Growth research, policy and advocacy
www.njfuture.org

5. Why Cluster?
Put development where it makes the most sense
Preserve open space or farmland without using tax payer funds

6. WHAT IS
“NONCONTIGUOUS”
CLUSTERING?

7. Conventional Development
• “Large lot zoning”
• Uniform lot sizes
• Development covers
most or all of the site

8. Contiguous Cluster Development
• Development is
concentrated on a
portion of the site
• Remaining land is
preserved as open
space or farmland
without relying on
public purchase

9. Noncontiguous Cluster
Development
Two or more non-adjacent parcels are treated as
a single site for the purpose of clustering.

10. Simple Example

11. More Complex Example

12. Implementation in New Jersey
Ten towns with ordinances:
• Delaware
• Hillsborough*
• Hopewell
• Middle
• Monroe*
• Mt. Olive*
• North Hanover
• Ocean
• Plainsboro*
• Robbinsville*
* Five towns with
noncontiguous cluster
developments

13. Up Next
Choosing to Use Noncontiguous Clustering
Jim Dowd, member, Delaware Township Planning Board
Planning Considerations and the Mount Olive Experience
Frank Banisch, president, Banisch & Associates
Implementation through Development Projects
John Riggs, director of planning and environmental protection,
Monroe Township

14. Questions and Answers
Send them in using the chat window
on the lower left of your screen

15. Resources from New Jersey Future
You will receive an email today with links to:
• Today’s presentations
• New Jersey Future “cluster” webpage
– Report: Case Studies of Noncontiguous Clustering in New
Jersey
– Presentation & Notes: Affordable Land Preservation Tools,
with Notes, June 2011
– Proposed legislation: Cluster development bill overview

16. Resources from Our Partners
Resources from our partners, including:
• DVRPC municipal planning tool: Land Preservation through
Noncontiguous Parcel Clustering in New Jersey
• Sustainable Jersey: “Action” for clustering
• ANJEC report: Using Ordinances to Protect Local Natural
Resources
• NJ Department of Agriculture report: Agricultural Smart
Growth Plan for New Jersey

17. Thank you!
Chris Sturm
Senior Director of State Policy
New Jersey Future
csturm@njfuture.org
609-393-0008 ext. 114
http://www.njfuture.org