Background

The current NJ State Plan Policy Map that accompanies the SDRP (State Plan) has the entire state (minus Special Resource areas such as the Pinelands, Highlands and Meadowlands) mapped with various Planning Areas. During the initial Cross Acceptance process and subsequently by the Plan Endorsement Process, Centers, Cores and Nodes have been identified across the state as areas for growth (smart growth). The current Policy Map which can be viewed on the OPA website, is dynamic and reflects amendments that have been made over the years through Plan Endorsements and/or map amendments through the SPC.

PE Mapping

Concurrent with the 10 steps of the Plan Endorsement process, the municipality and the Office of Planning Advocacy need to come to a consensus on the new official State Plan Map for the community prior to Endorsement. This includes identifying appropriate planning areas as well as Center, Core and Node boundaries.

New mapping considerations

Executive Order 89 requires that climate change resiliency be factored into PE considerations and this is reflected in the removal of 500 year from most previous Centers. NJDEP is also mandating the removal of habitat for Threatened and Endangered Species, National Heritage Priority Sites and other critical environmental features that are part of 25 contiguous acres or more. These mapping policies are reviewed against municipal zoning, redevelopment plans, affordable housing obligations and current land use patterns to formulate a new State Plan Policy map. This is an iterative process seeking consensus with the municipality and state agencies led by OPA.