Within 45 days of the municipality’s satisfaction of submission requirements for the Municipal Self-Assessment Report (or Self-Assessment for regional entities), OPA and the relevant State agencies will assess local opportunities and constraints regarding sound land use planning practices, economic development, infrastructure, natural resources, and climate resilience. The review will compare the Municipal Self-Assessment Report with the most up-to-date regional and statewide data to determine whether trend growth is sustainable based on the resources and infrastructure available in the municipality, region, and State. The analysis may include: 

1. Trends analysis of growth and development (OPA) 
2. Transportation opportunities and constraints assessment (DOT, NJ TRANSIT) 
3. Wastewater and water supply capacity analysis (DEP) 
4. Environmental constraints review (DEP) 
5. Assessment of additional potential impacts on natural, historic, and cultural resources (DEP) 
6. Assessment of climate change mitigation and vulnerability (DEP) 
7. Assessment of farmland preservation and agricultural retention opportunities (NJDA) 
8. Assessment of community preparedness (NJ OEM) 
9. Assessment of health utilizing County Health Improvement Plans and other data (DOH) 
10. Assessment of economic opportunities (EDA) 
11. Assessment of opportunities to advance the State Energy Master Plan (BPU) 
12. Environmental Justice and Social Equity Assessment (DCA, DEP) 
13. Special Resource Areas (NJ Highlands, NJ Pinelands, and Hackensack Meadowlands District) 

The trends analysis is used to predict what the community will look like in the future if build out of the municipality happens with the current zoning in place. The purpose of the activity is to illustrate to the municipality and its development potential based on existing development regulations and any land constraints imposed by existing development and regulated or preserved natural and cultural resources. 

The Department of Environmental Protection will review water and wastewater capacity based on current plans and permits. DEP will also evaluate environmental constraints and other potential natural, historic, and cultural resource impacts of the current planned development pattern. Vulnerability to climate change impacts will be a consideration applied to all these systems. DEP will additionally provide a vulnerability assessment of state and regional assets in the petitioning municipality to the impacts of climate change. Assessment and recommendations will be made on community climate change mitigation. 

As part of the OCA report, OPA typically prepares a build-out analysis to determine whether trend growth as permitted under current zoning on developable land is sustainable and viable based on based on mapping data and zoning regulations. For communities that are essentially “built-out”, where development opportunities comprise infill, reuse, and redevelopment, OPA will not include a build-out analysis (build-out) and will instead address other planning opportunities and constraints that may be of use and benefit to the petitioner and visioning process.