The City of East Orange is launching the process of overhauling its Community Master Plan to shape the physical, social, environmental and economic future of the city, in accordance with Municipal Land Use Law. The updated Master Plan will provide a framework for preserving the city’s character, ensuring its diversity, supporting investment and promoting desired change.

East Orange has achieved substantial progress in the past three years and we are ripe for renewal and growth.  The new Master Plan will set forth a new direction through the smart planning of land use, transportation, economic development, sustainability, community services, housing policy, and parks and recreation that will attract investment, bring in new residents and improve the quality of life for those who live, work and visit here.

In addition, the new Master Plan will focus on the city’s strengths such as its two train stations with direct service to New York City and its proximity to a number of major destinations including NJPAC, the Newark Museum, Prudential Center, and five major universities.

About Master Plans

A Master Plan provides a comprehensive guide for the future development of a community.  It serves as a comprehensive approach to planning issues and considers many factors impacting a community’s economic development needs.

The Municipal Land Use Law requires that a municipality periodically re-examine and update its Master Plan, at a minimum of every 10 years.  The last time the City of East Orange prepared a Master Plan was in 2006.

The Master Plan gives the community the legal basis for control over future development, as well as land use planning policy and zoning changes.  Most changes are implemented in the form of zoning amendments and land development ordinances.

What the new Master Plan will include

A Master Plan can include many parts, which are known as elements. A new Master Plan is required to include Goals and Objectives and a Land Use Element, plus a Housing Element if there will be changes to the zoning code. In addition to those required elements, the City’s plan will include the following elements:

• Circulation
• Economic Development
• Sustainability
• Community Facilities
• Parks and Recreation
• Open Space
• Recycling