Mountain Lakes Master Plan -- Appendix E

Appendix E -- Impact of Master Plan Elements on the Historic Preservation Plan

Goals and Objectives

Key Master Plan policies and recommendations affecting historic sites and districts may be found in the goals and objectives of the Borough of Mountain Lakes 1996 Master Plan. These goals and objectives acknowledge the importance of Mountain Lakes' historic places and sites and their contribution to the township identity as a historic community and the quality of life enjoyed by Mountain Lakes' residents.

The following elements are portions of the Master Plan that support Historic Preservation:

Statement of Objectives, Principles, Assumptions, and Policies

Retain the traditional character of Mountain Lakes.

Community Character- Mountain Lakes is a largely developed community with a character primarily based upon well-kept single family homes. Individual lot sizes are relatively small with neighborhoods integrated with large areas of Borough-owned wooded open space. This pattern of community-based clustered development in a natural setting is fundamental to the character of the Borough and should be protected and promoted.

Historic Preservation- Mountain Lakes has a unique historic heritage significant in the history of planning in the United States. A "planned community" from its beginning, it was deliberately designed to create a park-like atmosphere emphasizing the preservation and enhancement of natural features. In addition, the Borough is recognized as having one of the largest concentrations of Craftsman influenced homes in the country. These historically significant features should be protected.

Protect and enhance the Borough's environmental resources.

Lakes- The lakes are the most prominent natural features in the Borough. They were the central design element around which the community was planned and they fundamentally influence the character and quality of life of the community, contributing natural beauty and very important recreational opportunities. The natural process of eutrophication, accelerated by human activity, represents a great concern.

Park Land- A high proportion of Mountain Lakes is preserved as park land in scattered large and small parks and green areas located throughout the Borough. This pattern of development is an alternative to the more standard suburban pattern of privately owned open space reflected in large lot single family development. Emphasis should be placed on extending, protecting and connecting the publicly owned park land areas. Much of the wooded areas in the park lands are under increased stress as they mature due to increased competition for nutrients and sun-light, as well as the effects of leaf dumping. The health of woodlands should be monitored.

Land Use Element

Mountain Lakes' Land Use plan calls attention to the importance of protecting and continuing the overall character of Mountain Lakes as a planned community by a series of objectives. Relating to historic preservation are the following objectives:

Maintain a relationship of mutual benefit among the different land uses by controlling the compatibility of development and by enforcing codes and ordinances including policies for intensity of development, facility provisions, buffers and environmental factors.
Protect and continue the overall character of Mountain Lakes as a planned community by protecting and perpetuating open spaces as planned parklands.
Protect the traditional and unique character of residential neighborhoods in the Borough.
Encourage the development of a town center for the Borough that will provide a focus to the identity of the community and the life of its citizens
Protect the natural topography, native vegetation and open, park-like setting that is part of our historic character.
Protect our water resources, including ground water, surface water, streams and riparian buffers
Sustain and protect our natural areas

Housing Plan Element

The Housing Plan acknowledges the following recommendations in relation to the conservation of valuable historic resources:

Promote the redevelopment of the Midvale area to include a mix of housing and commercial uses while retaining the historic buildings.

Circulation Plan Element

Relative to preservation is the Circulation Plan objective to:

Continue the pattern of narrow, curvilinear local roads which are central to the character of Mountain Lakes.

Conservation Plan

The Conservation Plan objectives relative to historic preservation include:

Continue the Borough's tradition of preserving the large areas of lakes, parks and open space by maintaining them in public ownership and dedicating them for appropriate uses.

Recreation Plan

The Recreation/Overview/Background states that the original development of Mountain Lakes as a planned community emphasized the recreational values associated with its physical features and park-like setting. The lakes, in particular have, from the community's beginnings, been major recreational assets attracting a population with an orientation towards active outdoor recreation. The Borough's character as a planned community also supports recreational opportunities to an unusual degree. The large areas of open space support a wide range of recreation, formal and informal. Clearly, the preservation of the open space and the lakes is critical to maintaining the recreation lifestyle dominating in Mountain Lakes.