N.J.A.C 15:30-7.8 Advisory committee appointment and membership

(a) The petitioner shall appoint an advisory committee to help guide and actively participate in the plan endorsement process, increase public awareness of, and maximum participation by the community in, planning its future, and to guide and assist in the development and review of the Self-Assessment Report, and recommendations therein. Upon the consent of the governing body, the advisory committee may also serve as a liaison with the State, county, regional agencies, and local officials throughout the plan endorsement process, and participate in meetings between the petitioner, the Office of Planning Advocacy, and other relevant State agencies. Appointments shall be made in accordance with any relevant local government ethics law and be designed to avoid any appearance of impropriety. The petitioner shall ensure that committee membership is representative of the whole community, including participation from historically underserved populations, without bias toward any one or more interest groups.

1. For a municipal petitioner, the advisory committee shall be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the governing body, at a public meeting for which adequate notice has been provided. The appointment shall take effect by approval of a resolution of the governing body. The advisory committee shall seek to include representation from underserved populations or representative organizations and consist of between five and 10 people, including at least one representative of the governing body, of which the mayor is considered a member, for this purpose, at least one Class IV member of the planning board, at least one member of another local board, commission, or committee, and at least two representatives of the public who reside within the jurisdiction of the petitioner and are not elected or appointed to any public position within said jurisdiction.

 2. For a county petitioner, the advisory committee shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners at a public meeting for which adequate notice has been provided and the appointment shall take effect by approval of a resolution of the board of county commissioners. The advisory committee shall consist of between five and 10 people including at least one representative of the board of county commissioners, at least one member of the county planning board, at least one member of another countywide board, commission, or committee, and at least two representatives of the public who reside within the jurisdiction of the petitioner and are not elected or appointed to any public position within said jurisdiction.

3. For a regional petitioner, the advisory committee shall be appointed by the relevant planning entity or by the governing body of each affected municipality, depending on the nature of the area, at a public meeting for which adequate notice has been provided. The appointment shall take effect upon approval of a resolution of the relevant planning entity. The advisory committee shall consist of between five and 10 members, including at least one member of a relevant planning entity, at least one member of a relevant board of county commissioners, one member of a relevant county planning board, at least two representatives of the public who reside within the area and are not elected or appointed to any public position within said area and at least one additional elected official, such that each political jurisdiction in the area is represented by an elected official at either the local, county, or regional level. Membership on the advisory committee shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Director. The public members may not hold an appointed or elected position within the municipality or be employed by said relevant planning entity.