Pennington Borough is asking residents to help shape the town’s future by completing a brief public survey as part of its new Master Plan. The survey, open through August 15, 2025, is designed to guide decisions about land use, economic development, and affordable housing as the borough finalizes its first comprehensive planning update in over two decades.
The survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete and is available online at:
https://www.penningtonboro.org/1260/Master-Plan-2025-Under-Development
Results will be shared at a community feedback session in late September or early October, with further opportunities for public comment.
“The Master Plan is a lasting planning document that should envision Pennington’s future—beyond the development we have today,” reads the introduction to the survey. “Our goal is to gather your thoughts on what Pennington could look like as change occurs over time.”
A Living Plan for a Changing Community
Pennington’s existing Master Plan dates back to 1998, with updates and amendments in 2005, 2013, 2014, and 2023. However, a reexamination adopted by the Planning Board last year concluded that the plan was outdated, incomplete, and difficult to navigate.
In response, the borough initiated a full rewrite with the goal of adopting a comprehensive, modern planning framework before the end of 2025.
Although the project has been referred to as “Master Plan 2025” throughout development, officials now emphasize that the final product will be titled simply the Pennington Borough Master Plan. The revised format will be hosted online as a modular, evolving document, with each of its 12 required elements updated individually as conditions or priorities shift.
“This isn’t something fixed in stone for 10 or 15 years,” said Andy Jackson, chair of the Master Plan Committee. “We want to be able to update each element and always make sure the public can see the most current version.”
Survey to Inform Final Phase
To date, nine of the twelve plan elements have been completed. The Housing Element and Fair Share Plan was adopted on June 24, while eight others have received conditional approval. The remaining two—covering economic developmentandcoordination with other regional plans—will be reviewed by the Planning Board on August 13.
The final and most consequential piece—the Land Use Plan—is now being drafted. The current public survey is intended to guide its development, with questions on zoning flexibility, redevelopment sites, commercial corridors, and housing density. The final Master Plan is expected to go before the Planning Board for adoption in November.
“One of the things that’s absolutely clear in all of the planning processes… is that we are supposed to consult the residents and get the feeling of the residents for what the plan should look like,” Jackson said.
Affordable Housing Plan to Be Reworked
The survey also reflects an effort to gather meaningful public input after criticism over the state-mandated affordable housing plan adopted earlier this summer. That plan, developed under tight state deadlines, identified sites for new housing without broader community engagement.
Jackson said the borough intends to revise and replace the plan by year’s end based on feedback gathered through the Master Plan process.
“We’re doing it the right way this time,” Jackson said. “We’ll use the land use strategy to drive where housing should go—not the other way around.”
Including the Broader Pennington Community
While the Master Plan applies only to Pennington Borough’s approximately 2,800 residents, the survey is also open to residents of Hopewell Township, especially those with 08534 ZIP codes who often identify as Pennington residents.
“Pennington functions as a town center for the greater Hopewell Valley,” Jackson said. “We welcome input from township residents who use our streets, parks, shops, and schools. Whether people know it or not, they’re already part of the conversation.”
The Planning Board’s “Relation to Other Plans” element outlines areas for increased coordination with Hopewell Township and Mercer County, particularly around economic development, infrastructure, and stormwater management.
How to Participate
Pennington residents—and others with a stake in the borough’s future—are encouraged to complete the survey by August 15. The survey includes five sections and 18 questions and is available at:
https://www.penningtonboro.org/1260/Master-Plan-2025-Under-Development
Who’s Behind the Plan
Development of the Master Plan is being led by the borough’s Master Plan Committee (MPC), composed of Planning Board members Andy Jackson (Chair), Kate O’Neill, Amy Kassler-Taub, and Nadine Stern. The committee is supported by a Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) and works closely with the borough’s various boards and commissions. Each element of the plan has been drafted either by the relevant commission—such as environmental, open space, or historic preservation—or by special working groups for topics without an assigned committee.
Professional planning support is being provided by Jim Kyle of Kyle + McManus Associates (KMA), the borough’s contracted planner.
