New Jersey Highlands Council

The Highlands Council does not issue permits, but is statutorily required to review certain proposed projects throughout the Highlands Region for consistency with the Highlands Act and Highlands Regional Master Plan (RMP). The Highlands Council shares jurisdiction with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which is the permitting agency in the Highlands. Please refer to the links below for additional guidance. If you have any questions, please contact the Highlands Council at (908) 879-6737.

Projects Currently Being Considered

July 2024
Proposed Highlands Redevelopment Area Designation
Phillipsburg Mall Site, Lopatcong and Pohatcong Townships, Warren County
The Highlands Council is currently considering a proposed Highlands Redevelopment Area Designation in Lopatcong and Pohatcong Townships (Warren County). The matter will be heard at the October 17, 2024 Highlands Council Meeting.

Highlands Council Staff Recommendation Report: Highlands Redevelopment Area (Amended Application) Phillipsburg Mall – Lopatcong and Pohatcong Townships (pdf)
Updated September 9, 2024. Includes all public comments and Highlands Council responses.

May 2024
Highlands Redevelopment Area Designation: Naughright and Sand Shore Roads, Mount Olive Township, Morris County
Block 8300, Lots 5, 5.02, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 11.01; Block 8100, Lot 38; Block 8400, Lot 1
The Highlands Council is currently considering a proposed redevelopment area designation in Mount Olive Township, Morris County. A review of the proposal along with staff recommendations is available in the report below. A public hearing on the designation was originally scheduled for the June 19 regular Highlands Council meeting but has been postponed at the request of the municipality.

Highlands Council Draft Recommendation Report (pdf) - updated
Public Notice Announcing Public Comment Period (pdf)

Project Review Status and Tracking

Tracking Sheets
A summary of information regarding past and current projects reviewed by Highlands Council staff can be found in the tracking sheets below.

- Highlands Project Review Tracking Sheet (pdf)
- Highlands Project Review Tracking Sheet Archive 2009 -2019 (pdf)

Full-Council Reviews
Details and documents related to projects that have been review by Highlands Council staff and voted on by the full Highlands Council are available on the page below.

- Completed Project Reviews

Highlands Project Review Process Resources

Highlands Council Project Review Procedures (pdf)
Describes Highlands Council procedures and requirements for conducting project reviews.
Highlands Council Project Review Standards (pdf)
Describes the RMP standards used during project reviews.
Digital Plan Submission Standards (pdf)
Provides guidance for submitting digital files to the Highlands Council for project reivews.
Native Plant Availability for the New Jersey Highlands Region (pdf) updated January 2024
Provides a comprehensive list of native plants and their availability at nine different growers. (If you would like to be added to our list of growers, please let us know.)

Forms
Please refer to the Project Review Procedures above and/or speak with a Highlands Council Liaison before using these forms.

Planning Area Exemption Application (pdf)
Highlands Referral Application (pdf)
Conditions Compliance Form (word)

Highlands Redevelopment Area Designation Procedures

These procedures outline the process and requirements for receiving Council designation of Highlands Redevelopment Areas. Such designations are necessary for any project that requires a Highlands Preservation Area Approval under N.J.A.C. 7:38 (the NJDEP Preservation Area Rules) with a waiver of provisions regarding a brownfield or a site with existing impervious cover of 70 percent or more.

Highlands Redevelopment Area Designation Procedures (pdf)