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West Windsor reviews updated Complete and Green Streets policy; no vote taken
Summary
Council members and staff debated an updated Complete and Green Streets policy that adds green stormwater measures and uses a Sustainable Jersey template; council asked staff to revise wording on approvals, exceptions and reporting and will vote at a later meeting.
The West Windsor Township Council reviewed an updated Complete and Green Streets policy and companion resolution Thursday but did not take a vote, saying staff will incorporate council and public feedback and return with a revised draft at a future meeting.
The policy, adapted from a Sustainable Jersey template, would direct staff and developers to prioritize safe, equitable street design for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and public-transportation users and to use green stormwater techniques where feasible. Mayor (West Windsor Township) said the policy aims to “make the situation better, and we move towards what’s ideal.”
Council members and staff focused on three implementation items: (1) consistent job titles where the draft names both a director of community development and the township engineer, because the same person currently fills both roles; (2) how and who approves exceptions so a person cannot both request and approve the same exception; and (3) reporting schedules — whether a policywide audit should occur every year or every two years and when an annual implementation report should be provided to the governing body.
During discussion Councilmember Mandel asked that references to the director and the township engineer be made consistent across the document so approval authority is clear. The council and staff noted the current officer holds both titles but said the policy should anticipate the possibility that the two roles could be held by different people in the future. The draft’s exceptions process requires a written request submitted by the township engineer (or the engineer’s designee) to the director of community development; council members raised the need for an alternate approver when the same person occupies both roles.
Councilmembers debated whether the comprehensive audit of existing plans and procedures should occur in one year or two; the draft used a two-year timeframe recommended by Sustainable Jersey. The mayor and other members said the two-year recommendation reflects typical municipal capacity but that major issues arising earlier would be brought forward as needed. The council asked staff to add language that ensures an alternate approver or an explicit designee will handle exception approvals when the same person holds both positions.
Members of the public and local advocacy groups also weighed in. Anne Clifton, representing the West Windsor Bicycle and Pedestrian Alliance, said the group supports the policy as drafted and urged the township to use the resolution to help with Sustainable Jersey recertification and the township’s bicycle-friendly community re‑application. Resident Dave Kimmel suggested including Mercer County and New Jersey “Vision Zero/Target Zero” efforts among the referenced plans and asked that “transportation facility” definitions be clarified so they align with the policy’s intent to make routes and access safer.
No motion or vote occurred. Council President said staff will meet with engineer Francis Guzik and return a revised policy for formal adoption at a future meeting; the Environmental Commission will review the draft at its upcoming meeting.
The council indicated it aims to have a formal adoption on a future agenda and to coordinate the timing of the required annual implementation report so it informs the township’s budget process.
