The meeting’s primary focus was a presentation by McKinley Merz from Higher Grin Associates, who, along with colleague Hannah Davenport, introduced three critical master plan elements: land use, community facilities, and circulation. Merz explained that these elements would guide future policy decisions for the governing body, zoning board, and planning board. A formal adoption hearing is scheduled for later in October, delayed to allow feedback from the Sayreville Redevelopment Agency.

Merz highlighted that the land use element included an extensive environmental and sustainability review, incorporating a climate change vulnerability assessment. This assessment examined flooding and other environmental threats faced by the borough. Key recommendations from the land use element included creating a flood hazard overlay zone to enhance environmental preservation in flood-prone areas. This recommendation was particularly pertinent given the impact of Superstorm Sandy, which highlighted unexpected inundation patterns not predicted by FEMA models.

The discussion centered on transitioning specific parcels within Sayreville to more natural states to mitigate future flooding. Properties along MacArthur and Weber, affected by the Blue Acres buyout program, were recommended for rezoning to an open space and conservation zone. This would allow existing residents to renovate their homes while preventing new residential developments in the area. The board also discussed the need to reclassify a large undeveloped industrial parcel to align with the adjacent residential neighborhood.

Merz also discussed the importance of the circulation plan element, which aims to facilitate movements within the borough and provide insights into transportation modes beyond automobiles. Using crash data, the plan identified major corridors, focusing on areas like Route 9 and intersections with higher accident rates. Recommendations from the circulation plan emphasized green infrastructure and resiliency, including the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and clear emergency route signage, particularly in light of anticipated flooding events.

Pedestrian and bicycle connectivity was identified as a critical public concern. Some neighborhoods have robust sidewalk networks, while many older areas lack adequate pedestrian infrastructure. The plan recommended assessing development applications on a case-by-case basis to fill gaps in sidewalk connectivity and promote safety for all users, including those utilizing future autonomous vehicles.

The community facilities plan element focused on inventorying essential services such as fire and police departments, libraries, and parks. Input from department heads was gathered through questionnaires and discussions, highlighting challenges faced by these facilities. Recommendations included exploring additional studies for facility updates, considering a new community center for seniors, and addressing the police department’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure issues. Concerns regarding the capacity of nearby parks to absorb stormwater were raised.

A proposed roadway project aimed at alleviating traffic congestion was also discussed, with the first phase designed to extend from River Road to Kimble Drive East. The total cost for this phase is approximately $20 million, with the borough currently holding about $2 million in funding. The board explored alternative funding sources, including grants, to secure additional funds.

The impact of new developments on local traffic was a significant topic of discussion. The Planning Board cannot consider broader traffic impacts of applications under their jurisdiction, as state law prohibits denying applications based on off-site traffic conditions. The board discussed the possibility of conducting town-wide traffic studies to identify specific corridors requiring further examination. Traffic issues have worsened post-COVID, and the planning process should incorporate data from traffic studies to guide future development.