Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning And Open Space topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning board reports rising subdivision activity, open-space audit and bike-path feasibility work
Summary
Staff reported 70 subdivision applications and 59 site-plan applications since Jan. 1, 2025; the Farmland and Open Space Division completed an audit of projects, launched an interactive online map of completed open-space projects and staff said they are pursuing a rail-trail feasibility study to connect trails in Upper Township.
Jake Mericle, Senior Planning Aide, and Ms. Purdom, reporting for the Development Review Committee, told the Cape May County Planning Board that development review activity in 2025 produced dozens of new lots while open-space staff pursued audits and mapping projects.
Mericle summarized GIS work across county departments, including mapping fire hydrants with local fire departments to improve emergency response and working with the county OEM to develop evacuation scenario maps. He said GIS staff continue to map grave sites at the Veterans Cemetery as time permits.
On development activity, Ms. Purdom presented DRC totals: 70 subdivision applications since Jan. 1, 2025 (19 on county roads) that resulted in 63 net new lots (60 residential, 3 non-residential) and 637.91 acres subdivided. She also reported 59 site-plan applications (31 on county roads, including six projects that front on two county roads) and 399.99 acres improved. The use-group breakdown shown to the board listed 10 residential, 18 commercial, 2 warehouse and 6 mixed-use projects.
Mericle said the department contracted Remington Vernick Engineers to update the Countys Subdivision and Site Plan Resolution (last updated in 2011) and is working with Spatial Data Logic to build customized internal project-tracking software; the county also has a contract to digitize historical subdivision and site-plan records with County Business Systems, Inc.
Open-space staff updated the board on work by the Farmland and Open Space Division: the office is updating program guidelines for 2026, aided by interns, and has produced an interactive online GIS map of completed open-space projects. Staff also said they audited past Open Space projects for maintenance and compliance in 2025.
Mericle also described the Upper Township Bike Path Project, an effort to connect the Dennis Township trailhead to Beesley—s Point and create a continuous bike path into Atlantic County; the county has applied to the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization for grant-funded feasibility work and is evaluating unused rail lines as possible alignments.
The board took no formal votes on these agenda items beyond routine minutes adoption and adjournment.
