Hamilton Township

Mott Watkins has served as the Municipal Planner for Hamilton Township from January 2000 to December 2008. Hamilton Township is located in the western portion of Atlantic County. The Township is approximately 111 square miles and had an estimated population of 18,800 persons in 2000. The Township experienced a ninety-eight percent increase in population between 1980 and 2000. There were an estimated 7,380 housing units in the Township in 2000, an increase of approximately sixteen percent from 1990. The Township is subject to the jurisdiction of the Pinelands Commission and the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection through the Coastal Area Facilities Review Act (CAFRA) regulations.

As the Municipal Planner, the firm serves both the Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment. The firm has been responsible for the technical review of numerous site plans, major subdivisions, and development for several Planned Unit Residential Developments (PURDs). Mott Watkins has prepared several special planning studies including re-examination reports for the Master Plan as well as amendments to the Master Plan to study justifying the Township retaining a rural development area, and an analysis of the status of development approvals for several existing PURDs. The firm has prepared several ordinances for the Township including a recreational development ordinance for major subdivisions and development standards for Planned Adult Communities for age-restricted housing. The firm has also worked closely with the Pinelands Commission to monitor the level of growth in the Township and resolve growth management issues. Mott Watkins prepared an application on behalf of the Township to participate in the Pinelands Excellence Program, which is funded by a Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Grant. The Township was one of two municipalities to be awarded the grant, which will be used to help foster development of "livable" communities in areas that are experiencing extreme growth pressures.