Princeton Public Library
Community Resource File
The Regional Planning Partnership (CRF ID #104)
FORMER NAME
Middlesex Somerset Mercer Regional Council, Inc.
MSM
ADDRESS
118 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
PHONE
609-393-9434
FAX
609-393-9452
EMAIL
rpp@planningpartners.org
URL
http://www.planningpartners.org
ADMINISTRATOR
Dianne R. Brake, President
CONTACT PERSON
Ann Brady, Vice-President
HOURS
MON-FRI: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
DESCRIPTION
A non-profit, non-partisan planning organization which advocates sound land-use planning on a region-wide basis: across municipal boundaries, between the public and private sectors and among the region's residents. Serves as a planning clearinghouse for central New Jersey and brings an informed and professional perspective to critical planning issues.
SERVICES
Planning and research - Land use and development, population and employment patterns, traffic congestion, transportation alternatives, design of urban and suburban areas, affordable housing, geographic information systems (GIS) technology, preservation of open space
Technical assistance - Planning, GIS, growth management, traffic and transportation management, affordable housing, the preservation of land, dispute resolution, group facilitation
Public education/information - Seminars, lectures, workshops, publications on regional planning issues - local, county and state government, general public, planning students
Public information - Specialized library of planning literature
Advocacy - Regional planning, growth management, research-informed decision-making about land use, consensus building
PROGRAMS
Vision 2050: A long-range vision of the future, different from the sprawl we are producing now. Growth is directed at cities and downtowns and selected growth centers, and connected by an inter-regional transit system which provides a real alternative to the automobile. Project Manager: James Hess.
GOZ (R) Computer Model: A model constructed to work on the ArcView GIS software to calculate the impact of build-out of various zoning scenarios. Of use to local officials and other groups interested in examining alternatives to the current growth patterns. Project Manger: James Hess
Central New Jersey Transportation Forum: Providing support to a group of municipal officials and non-profit organizations who are dicussing the future of transportation investment in this region. Project Manager: Dianne Brake
New Jersey Regional Coalition and the Central Jersey Regional Coalition organized to bring together faith-based, union and civic groups and local officials to support more affordable housing, stronger regional planning and property tax reform. Project Manager: Noelle Reeve
PUBLICATIONS
Reports (monthly newsletter) - free to members
RPP Regional Data Book - produced annually - 200+ pages of data by municipality in the RPP region.
Green Infrastructure Guide - a guide to advance the understanding of green infrastructure, providing tools to balance growth and preservation of natural systems, available for purchase electronically
Mercer County Green Links Directory: A listing of agencies and organizations involved in natural and cultural resources planning and outreach activities in Mercer County. Published 1998. 61 pages.
Mercer County Green Links Plan: The Mercer County Green Links Plan is a color poster with a map and text on either side. The Plan identifies existing and proposed open space with proposed links to connect natural and cultural resources. The Plan also offers planning recommendations for implementation. Published 1998.
For more information on publications, many on growth management, affordable housing, and transportation, check website: www.planningpartners.org
SPECIAL EVENTS
Annual Dinner: Annual fall business meeting and fundraiser held in the evening for about 500 RPP members and friends. The C. McKim Norton Community Development Award and the Van Zandt Williams, Jr. Community Involvement Awards are given out at the dinner.
Golf Outing: Annual Spring fund-raiser
For special events, check website: www.planningpartners.org
FOUNDED
1968
SUBJECT
ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SERVICES
ADVOCACY
DATE MODIFIED
04-03-06