NJ DEPARTMENT of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
OFFICE POLICY, PLANNING AND SCIENCE
COASTAL MANAGEMENT OFFICE

Notice of Rule Proposal
Coastal Management rules, N.J.A.C. 7:7E

Public Notice
Take notice that the NJ Department of Environmental Protection is proposing to amend the Coastal Zone Management rules, N.J.A.C. 7:7E to relax the impervious cover limits and vegetative cover percentages for proposed developments consisting entirely of affordable housing in limited circumstances. A statement of the substance of the proposal follows:

In recognition of the importance of affordable housing to the citizens of New Jersey and in response to comments received on the July 6, 2006 proposal re-establishing certain mainland coastal centers, amendments are proposed to N.J.A.C. 7:7E-5B.6 that would relax the impervious cover limits and vegetative cover percentages for proposed developments consisting entirely of affordable housing in limited circumstances (see 37 N.J.R. 2351(a)). First, the development must be proposed in either a mainland coastal center or in an expired coastal center located in a municipality that, prior to October 15, 2005 held a pre-petition meeting with the Office of Smart Growth in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:85-7.3. Second, although the impervious cover limits and vegetative cover percentages for these developments would be those of the mainland coastal center, the limitations set forth at N.J.A.C. 7:7E-5B.6(e) and (g) would not apply.

The proposal is scheduled to be published in the New Jersey Register dated May 15, 2006. A copy of the proposal (PDF) is available from the Department’s web site.

A public hearing concerning the proposal is scheduled as follows:

Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey
Townsend Residential Life Center Multi Purpose Room
Jimmy Leeds Road, Pomona New Jersey 08240

Written comments may be submitted by July 21, 2006 (extended from July 14, 2006) to:

NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Gary Brower, Esq.
ATTN: DEP Docket No. 02-06-04/586
Office of Legal Affairs
PO Box 402
Trenton, New Jersey 08625