Smart Growth

Smart Growth Vision

Cherry Hill supports the statewide initiative of Smart Growth. Smart Growth promotes community growth, defines it as neighborhood livability; better access to destinations and less traffic congestion; thriving cities, suburbs, and towns; shared benefits for the community by emphasizing mixed-used development; lower municipal costs and taxes; and preserving open space.

Utilizing the framework of these core principles, the township envisions Smart Growth as a process that will improve the quality of life for our residents, businesses, and consumers by finding alternate uses for vacant properties that are supported by Cherry Hill's existing infrastructure. Our goal is to balance the community, the economy, and the environment.

Garden State Park

The Township and the developer for the Garden State Park site are working together to provide a mixed-use community consistent with the framework of smart growth. The 225-acre site will feature a town center, upscale retail, apartments and condominiums, a central park, a hotel, and office space. This new development will provide a range of housing choices in a distinctive, attractive community that will be pedestrian-friendly and improve the quality of life in Cherry Hill.

Master Plan

Cherry Hill Township's Master Plan is the guidebook for community planning. Last codified in 2003 and officially updated in 2007, the Master Plan analyzes population trends and determines development goals. Because most large-scale development occurred in decades past, top priorities in the plan now include preserving wetlands, existing neighborhoods and open space, while promoting smart growth. The Master Plan is the culmination of resident input, evaluation of past and existing land uses, and the formulation of short- and long-term planning, growth and preservation strategies.

Improving Traffic Flow & Safety

Another key tenet of smart growth is improving access to jobs, homes, and other destinations by reducing traffic congestion. Cherry Hill is working with state, county, and local officials to arrive at traffic solutions. We have taken a regional approach to improving traffic conditions realizing that congestion does not begin and end at our borders. We have involved residents, elected officials, professional planners, engineers, and transportation experts to help improve traffic safety and flow throughout Cherry Hill and the region.

By employing the principles of smart growth, redeveloping its vacant buildings, and working within the Township's infrastructure, Cherry Hill continues to be the premier community in South Jersey. It is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.