S1368 Encourages Redevelopment Without Compromising Environmental Standards 

 

 

(TRENTON) – Governor James E. McGreevey today signed S1368, which provides regulatory relief for development and redevelopment in smart growth areas, consistent with the State Plan.  The Act cuts bureaucratic red tape by providing expedited permit processing in smart growth areas.  However, the Act does not change the standards for approving or denying permits nor does it repeal or replace current opportunities for public participation in the permitting process. The Act requires agencies take timely action on a permit application and provides that implementation cannot be done in such a way as to modify any requirement necessary for the State to retain federal authority to implement a federal law or program. 

 

The Act also creates a Smart Growth Ombudsman to coordinate the smart growth efforts of the Divisions of Smart Growth in the Departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation and Community Affairs in implementing this initiative.

 

Governor McGreevey made the following statement regarding the bill:

 

“From the protection of our air to the cleanliness of the water, my Administration has set a national standard for environmental protection. 

 

“We have preserved tens of thousands of acres of open space, put 300 foot buffers around our water supply, and instituted unprecedented measures to place our reservoirs and streams off-limits to over-development.  

 

“As part of our effort to protect New Jersey's environment, we have also invested tens of millions of dollars in brownfields to turn abandoned industrial sites into engines of job growth and economic development.

 

“The effort to promote re-development and the right kind of development is critical to our economy but also to the protection of pristine and sensitive environmental areas.

 

“This legislation will compliment our other initiatives.  It will ensure that any proposed development will still meet our strong environmental standards but it will eliminate the excessive bureaucracy and red tape that mires down too many worthwhile projects.

 

“Now, led by Commissioners Campbell, Levin and Lettiere, my administration will work to ensure that the implementation of this legislation is consistent with the goals and principles that we have established.”