TDRs Making Preservation Possible In New Jersey

In the southern New Jersey community of Chesterfield, a state-sponsored transfer of development rights program is proving successful at preserving the historic character of the small town.

1 minute read

December 4, 2007, 8:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


"Back in 2000 when the administration of former Gov. James E. McGreevey began pushing smart-growth planning techniques, in which growth is concentrated in certain areas so that others can remain open space, a plan for Chesterfield began to take shape."

"Today, through a state-sponsored 'transfer of development rights' program, many of its pristine fields and its historic Crosswicks town center remain untouched and are guaranteed to remain so, even as a major new housing development called Old York Village is under way on 560 acres just south of Crosswicks."

"The new Old York Village has been designed with preservation in mind too - preservation of turn-of-the-century neighborhood features. It has varied types of housing, none higher than three stories; set-back garages; lanes behind the houses; walking paths; and small parks here and there."

Sunday, December 2, 2007 in The New York Times

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