TRENTON -- Acting Governor Richard J. Codeytoday announced the launch of the Smart Growth Ombudsman’s website.  The website was designed to inform the public about New Jersey’s smart growth policy and Smart Growth Ombudsman Patrick Gillespie.

 

“Smart growth improves quality of life in New Jersey,” said Codey.  “Through this website, the public will learn more about smart growth and why well-planned, well-managed growth is so important.”

 

The position of Smart Growth Ombudsman was created as part of the Smart Growth Act, which became law in 2004.  The Office of Smart Growth Ombudsman coordinates the smart growth efforts of all state executive departments and in particular the Departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation and Community Affairs to ensure the principles and goals outlined under the Smart Growth Act are met.

 

The term smart growth is used to describe well-planned, targeted growth that adds new homes and creates new jobs, while preserving open space, farmland, and environmental resources.

 

“Smart growth in New Jersey is a multi-faceted term,” said Gillespie. “The goal of this policy is to alleviate development pressure on New Jersey’s environmentally sensitive lands by encouraging development in areas of the state that have the capacity to absorb growth.”

 

“My office is one of the important links in achieving smart growth. This website will serve to inform the public not only about the role of the Ombudsman, but also about other efforts the state has undertaken to implement smart growth policy," Gillespie added.

 

The Smart Growth Ombudsman’s Website can be accessed at www.nj.gov/smartgrowth.