TRC Omni Environmental Corporation Receives Annual Land Development and Planning Award

The Somerset County Planning Board recently awarded their Annual Land Development and Planning Award to TRC Omni Environmental Corporation for the Otto Kaufman Community Center project.  The award is given for projects that are exceptionally well designed and planned.   

The Otto Kaufman Community Center project converted an old industrial building into a community center.  For this project, TRC Omni designed a bioretention island, bioretention swales, and underground infiltration systems that receives roadway, parking lot, and roof runoff.  Previously the detention basin would overflow during a two inch storm event.  The newly designed bioretention island, swale and underground infiltration systems can manage all sheet flow and run off associated with storm events.    

During the past 23 years, wide ranges of development projects have been recognized through the County's award program. While each project represents a different kind of land development, they are all indicative of high levels of design and creativity being encouraged in Somerset County. During the past 23 years, wide ranges of development projects have been recognized through the County's award program.  While each project represents a different kind of land development, they are all indicative of high levels of design and creativity being encouraged in Somerset County.

In addition to the standard project categories, the County has established an award category for Smart Growth Planning.  This category recognizes the outstanding achievement of a municipality, developer, non-profit organization or other private group in the planning and/or implementation of smart growth techniques.  This includes innovative programs and policies by government and other entities, which encourage smart growth, developments which incorporate smart growth techniques as well as public education and awareness activities concerning smart growth issues.  

The following criteria are used to evaluate projects:

1.  Imaginative planning: using a creative, new approaches to a planning issue or concern.

2.  Innovative site design: demonstrating a unique approach to physical design representing high standards of site planning and engineering.

3.  Demonstrated cooperation between local officials and applicants promoting sound planning practices and public objectives.

4.  Adaptive use projects that retain the original quality or characteristic form of the building.