H2M receives the NJPO Achievement in Planning award for two projects

H2M was recently honored with the New Jersey Planning Officials' (NJPO) Achievement in Planning Award for the development of the Lodi Sustainability Plan and the Lodi Land Use and Circulation Plan. The NJPO, founded in 1938, is the state's association of planning boards and zoning boards of adjustment. NJPO is New Jersey's largest, oldest and most active organization dedicated to planning and sound land use. Each year it recognizes projects, large and small, that reflect good sense in planning. Awards are given to projects that show and promote model approaches to sound planning. The awards were presented to H2M at the annual B. Budd Chavoosian Awards Banquet. The Lodi Sustainability Plan provides a broad and diverse range of recommendations about how a municipality can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The Plan proposes seven strategies for a sustainable future: (1) Sustainable Land Uses, (2) Green Buildings and Energy Efficient Site Design, (3) Efficient Circulation, (4) Protected Environment, (5) Equitable Community, (6) Responsible People, and (7) Good Government. A unique and model element of the Plan is that it includes detailed targets and indicators to measure success in achieving sustainability goals. The Lodi Land Use and Circulation Plan combines two critical Master Plan Elements into a single, comprehensive and integrated policy document that binds together future decision-making. The Plan preparation was a multi-phase process. First, a baseline analysis of existing conditions from data, mapping and photo analysis was completed. Next, significant and meaningful community outreach was undertaken to determine mobility issues and community preferences. The result is an Action Plan Matrix identifying short and long term improvement strategies for maximizing multi-modal opportunities, and encouraging land use changes to reduce the distances people have to travel.