Local Planning and Conformance refers to the Pinelands Commission's efforts to both certify local ordinances as consistent and assist local municipalities. According to the Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP), local municipalities that have land within the Pinelands Area must conform their master plan and land use ordinances to the minimum standards set forth in the CMP. This means that both original 1980's era land use goals and any new master plans and ordinances must be certified by the Pinelands Commission as meeting the minimum standards of the CMP.
In addition to reviewing local ordinances, Pinelands Commission staff assists municipalities by providing advice on local planning issues.
Examples of local planning issues on which the Pinelands Commission has provided assistance include the Winslow, Hamilton and Egg Harbor Townships Excellence Programs. The Pinelands Commission also assists local municipalities in meeting the requirements of the CMP by providing model ordinances, such as the Model Stormwater, Septic/Wastewater and Clearing Ordinances. Another way the Commission helps is through the Local Review Officer Program, which expedites the approval process by having municipal officers review certain applications, without the need for Pinelands review first. New initiatives by the Commission to update and improve its regulations are also administered here.
