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HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP
379 SOUTH BRANCH RD
HILLSBOROUGH, NJ 08844
(908) 369-4313
www.hillsborough-nj.org

Officially established in 1771, Hillsborough Township was a crossroads for travelers and originated as a farming community. Through the decades Hillsborough became a residential community that continued to support a strong farming heritage. Currently, Hillsborough Township has open spaces, farm fields, pockets of neighborhoods, recreation areas, a growing commercial market, and a few families who have remained in the Township for generations. The Township’s history of leadership in government positions, as well as in grassroots and community organizations that have helped to further protection efforts and support the community’s strong character.

Some of Hillsborough’s accomplishments include:

• Protecting Open Space and greenways through the use of conservation easements.  As of 1995, Hillsborough has 68% of land use in open space (i.e. Agriculture, Forest, and Wetland areas). A majority of that land is in the Sourland Mountains where trails and streams wind through forested hills to reveal a mysterious past. 
• Preserving Farmland by rezoning certain areas of town from 3 acres/unit to 10 acres/unit.  This type of proactive planning will help reduce sprawl and preserve the rural landscape.  In 2002, Hillsborough also rezoned their Mountain District from 5 acres/unit to the current 15 acres/unit with options to allow clustering of homes. 
• Creating a district to preserve the Duke Estate. 1,200 acres of the 2,700-acre parcel, located in the northern portion of the township, was recently rezoned as an Open Space and Cultural Landscape District. This change will allow for outdoor events and tours on the property.  The Township hopes to increase tourism and community spirit, while protecting this large piece of land and the wildlife that resides there. 
• Creating a Tree Preservation Ordinance, the Township Committee unanimously supported this ordinance establishing a special advisory committee to advise the Planning Board on issues related to tree removal.  The ordinance helps protect trees from unnecessary removal during a construction project and to replant trees elsewhere, should removal occur during a project.

MUNICIPAL ASSESSMENT

A full description of the work completed in Hillsborough Township can be found in Hillsborough’s Municipal Assessment report entitled “Taking the Next Step”.  This report is a document for municipal officials to use now and into the future.  It lays out options to enhance programs or policies already on the books in Cranbury Township and highlights work completed in the township.  Go to the full report to read about the 13 subjects assessed in the township or for a quick glimpse of the report you can also view the Executive Summary.