O22 A Geospatial Smart Growth Analysis of the West Essex Highlands Project

Part I Smart Growth Report Card 8) Community Node Accessibility GRADE Smart Growth Sprawl Distance to Nearest Node school = 1.7 miles grocery = 1.5 miles park = 2.1 miles police = 3.7 miles fire = 1.4 miles library =3.3 miles post office = 1.7 Average road distance from new development to important community nodes. Rowan Smart Growth Geospatial Metrics A=smartest growth B C D F=Most Sprawling

Part I Smart Growth Report Card 9) Land Resource Impacts GRADE A=smartest growth B C D F=Most Sprawling Smart Growth Land Resource Impacts Core Forest Loss = 49 acres Impervious Surface created = Headwaters = Canoe Brook Rowan Smart Growth Geospatial Metrics Sprawl

Part I Smart Growth Report Card 10) Growth Trajectory GRADE A=smartest growth B C D F=Most Sprawling Smart Growth Sprawl Project Consumes the last large (100+ ac) tract of remaining undeveloped land in Essex County adding: ● 496 housing units ● x 2.7 people/unit = 1,339 new people ● auto trips = 2,728 autos/day Rowan Smart Growth Geospatial Metrics

Part I Smart Growth Report Card Smart Growth Report Card Final Tally West Essex Highlands Project C D F D D F D F F F

Part II Smart Conservation Report Card What if the land were put into conservation?

Part II - Geospatial Metrics for Smart Conservation which lands are most important to preserve

ANIMATING New Jersey’s Changing Landscapes ➔ Using NJDEP Land Use Land Cover data to evaluate impacts over time Urban Growth 1986-2020 377,777 Acres 11,111 Acres Per Year over 36 years

Natural Landscapes are Functional System Components are •In the right place •At the right scale •Efficient •Connected •Flowing •Integrated

Mission: Accelerate preservation of the most important remaining natural and cultural land resources that support healthy and vibrant communities in New Jersey. 40

New Jersey Conservation Blueprint Steering Committee 41