NJ DOS - Office of Planning Advocacy - Citizen’s Guide to the Preliminary Draft of the NJ State Plan

Achieve Comprehensive and Coordinated Planning Actions: Encourage citizen participation and capacity analysis to integrate private and public investment, programs, and regulatory land use decisions.
Consider Boundaries and Long Term Decisions: Make land use decisions that are sustainable, considering future impacts and respecting neighboring communities.
Redress Past Planning Mistakes: Make a concerted effort to redress past planning mistakes and mitigate the adverse consequences of those mistakes.
Address Climate Change: Utilize planning strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.
Establish Flexible Design Policies and Coordinate with Statewide Policies: Promote the creation of flexible design policies that consider local conditions and effectively integrate with other statewide policies for housing, transportation, and environment.
Promote the Creation of Vibrant Communities: Encourage the development of mixed-use buildings, walking and biking paths, and safe and accessible public spaces.
Reduce Auto-Dependence and Sprawl: Prioritize minimizing automobiles’ visual impact and promote pedestrian- and transit-oriented development. Concurrently, revitalize sprawling areas by increasing density, improving walkability and connectivity, and fostering mixed-use development.

What does the State Plan do?

Advocates for planning and building design policies in urban, suburban, and rural areas that promote compact, close-knit development with multiple uses.
Encourages flexible design principles that integrate housing, transportation, and environmental policies.
Advocates for multimodal transportation systems that prioritize pedestrian, bicycle, and public transportation options to enhance accessibility and safety for all users.
Focuses on implementing pedestrian-friendly routes and sustainable design to reduce car dependency.
Suggests transforming low-density areas of sprawl into functional higher density areas through Transit-Oriented Development and pedestrian-friendly design.

Why it matters:

Promotes efficient, environmentally responsible, and adaptable development.
Creates vibrant, walkable spaces that foster community identity and interaction.
Encourages sustainable practices to minimize pollution and resource use.
Attracts businesses and residents through adaptive reuse and mixed-use spaces.
Provides strategies for future growth while preserving resources and reducing sprawl.

Page Last Updated: 02/24/25

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