N.J. Admin. Code § 15:30-7.21 - Renewal of endorsed plans and designated centers

(a) The Plan Endorsement Renewal process shall build on a petitioner's previous plan endorsement received from the State Planning Commission and brought into consistency with the current State Plan and this chapter.

(b) Upon the consent of the Plan Implementation Committee, the Executive Director shall have authority to certify whether a petitioner is eligible to pursue the expedited Plan Endorsement Renewal process, as determined upon the extent to which the terms of the previous Plan Implementation Agreement have been satisfied, consistent with the petition as endorsed by the State Planning Commission. Departure from consistency or failure to meet the timelines and requirements of the previous Plan Implementation Agreement without sufficient cause would make the petitioner ineligible to pursue Plan Endorsement Renewal.

(c) Twelve months prior to the expiration of endorsement, the Executive Director shall send notice advising the petitioner whether the terms of their previous Plan Implementation Agreement have been satisfied consistent with the petition as endorsed by the State Planning Commission. For petitioners that have demonstrated substantial progress towards the completion of tasks set forth in the Plan Implementation Agreement and sustained engagement with the Office of Planning Advocacy, as evidenced by the submission of compliant monitoring reports received when due, the letter will certify their eligibility to pursue the expedited Plan Endorsement Renewal process. The Executive Director may condition certification on the completion of any outstanding or incomplete actions required pursuant to the Plan Implementation Agreement, as necessary, to achieve consistency prior to expiration of the current endorsement.

(d) If the Plan Implementation Committee determines that the terms and conditions of the Plan Implementation Agreement have not been satisfied to the extent necessary to achieve consistency with the petition, as approved by the State Planning Commission, then it shall advise the Executive Director to send notice to the petitioner 12 months prior to the expiration of endorsement, stating the reasons why their petition has been deemed ineligible for the expedited Plan Endorsement Renewal process, including an outline of outstanding consistency items to complete in order to be considered eligible to pursue the standard Plan Endorsement process in accordance with N.J.A.C. 15:30-7.1 through 7.19.

(e) If eligible, within eight months prior to the expiration of Endorsement, the mayor, or representative of the endorsed entity shall submit a letter to the Executive Director, along with a certified copy of a resolution adopted by the governing body at a public meeting, petitioning the State Planning Commission to renew their Endorsement. The letter shall state why the municipality is seeking renewal, outline assistance and benefits they seek from the State, and include requests for map amendments (if any). The letter shall request a Plan Endorsement Renewal meeting and will be accompanied by:

1. An official Plan Endorsement Renewal Report that includes a recap and overview of the previous 10 years' planning activities and accomplishments, and how the municipality or regional entity remains consistent with and advances each of the State Plan goals, including:

i. A statement of actions taken to promote beneficial economic growth, development and redevelopment, and overall revitalization of suburban and urban areas;

ii. A statement of actions and planning activities taken to provide adequate public infrastructure, community facilities, services, and capital improvements at a reasonable cost;

iii. A statement of actions taken to address major transportation needs and the implementation of adequate complete streets;

iv. A statement of actions taken to promote and implement municipal or regional sustainability actions and planning activities;

v. A statement of actions and planning activities taken to implement the community vision, sound, and integrated planning, and center-based and mixed-use development;

vi. A statement of actions and planning activities taken toward demonstrating affordable housing compliance and actions taken towards addressing overall housing needs, opportunities, and choices at a reasonable cost;

vii. A statement of actions and planning activities taken toward addressing and promoting climate change resilience, mitigation, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction;

viii. A statement of actions and planning activities taken toward addressing and promoting environmental justice and social equity;

ix. A statement of actions and planning activities taken to protect, preserve, and enhance environmentally sensitive areas, natural systems, and sites of historic and cultural significance;

x. A statement of actions and planning activities taken to protect farmland and open space, and to provide adequate active and passive recreational facilities;

xi. A statement of coordination with county or regional plans, where applicable;

xii. Proposed Map Amendments (in GIS format), including new or modifications to Planning Areas, Centers, Cores, or Nodes, along with justification for the requested change; and

xiii. An overview of current and future needs, technical assistance, or State agency benefits to help implement the endorsed plan; and

2. The following documentation or links separately provided through email:

i. The current Master Plan;

ii. The last Master Plan Reexamination Report;

iii. The current Recreation Open Space Inventory;

iv. A copy of the most recent Plan Implementation Agreement, along with status of each item; and

v. The current Zoning Map, Ordinance, and Schedules in PDF and GIS format.

(f) Within 30 days after receiving the letter requesting to renew the Plan Endorsement Petition, the Executive Director shall schedule an Endorsement Renewal meeting with the petitioner and relevant State agency partners to discuss the petitioner's submission at the Plan Endorsement Renewal Meeting. Discussion topics will include:

1. Municipal submission and expectation;

2. State agency initial response and provide details on new PE Guideline requirements; and

3. Additional requirements that were not previously discussed or required.

(g) Within two weeks after the meeting, the Office of Planning Advocacy shall draft a memorandum stating any additional required material for Plan Endorsement to be agreed to by the petitioner, State agencies, county, and relevant others (for example, New Jersey Highlands Water Protection and Planning Council, New Jersey Pinelands Commission) of additional required material.

(h) The Office of Planning Advocacy, with assistance from State agency partners, will work with the petitioner to identify and agree to an Action Plan and Plan Implementation Agreement, along with the necessary timelines in order to maintain consistency with the State Plan and this chapter. The Action Plan and Plan Implementation Agreement must address inconsistencies, as well as update incomplete items from the previous endorsement period. Any requested mapping change will be addressed as part of the Action Plan and will comply with existing mapping protocols.

(i) The Executive Director will present the staff recommendation to either support or deny the request for Plan Endorsement Renewal to the Plan Implementation Committee. After the Plan Implementation Committee's final review and comment, the Office of Planning Advocacy staff will report to the State Planning Commission and will request State Planning Commission approval of the recommended action. The recommendation will include the results of the Plan Endorsement Renewal process, the Implementation Agreement, the Memorandum of Understanding, past performance, current status, and the action items the petitioner has agreed to implement.

(j) If approved by the State Planning Commission, the Plan Endorsement Renewal will be applicable for 10 years and subject to biennial reviews.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 15:30-7.21

Adopted by 56 N.J.R. 41(b), effective 1/2/2024