Administration on Track for First Full Update of the New Jersey State Plan Since 2001

TRENTON - Building on Governor Murphy’s commitment to fully update New Jersey’s State Plan for the first time since 2001, the State Planning Commission approved the publication of the Preliminary Draft Plan of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan.

The State Development and Redevelopment Plan, developed through collaboration across all levels of government, serves as a guide to inform the public and encourage state agencies, counties, and municipalities to align their land use policies with its vision. It aims to promote a balanced and inclusive strategy for managing and guiding growth across New Jersey, centered on ten key land use priorities.

“We are taking a significant step forward in shaping New Jersey’s future with today’s release of the Preliminary Draft Plan of the updated State Development and Redevelopment Plan,” said Governor Murphy. “This Plan reflects decades of progress and underscores our commitment to balanced growth, equitable development, and opportunity for all New Jerseyans.” 

The Department of State’s Office of Planning Advocacy began outreach last year to develop this draft. Starting February 12, 2025, an intensive two-month public comment period will feature meetings in every county. These hearings will continue through April 16, 2025 and initiate a cross-acceptance process, comparing municipal, county, and state land use plans with the State Plan to achieve maximum consistency across all levels of government.

The updated Draft Plan adds a new focus on environmental justice and builds upon the State’s ongoing initiatives to address the following areas:

- Economic Development
- Housing
- Infrastructure
- Revitalization and Recentering
- Climate Change
- Natural and Water Resources
- Pollution and Environmental Clean-Up
- Historic and Scenic Resources
- Equity
- Comprehensive Planning

“It is great to see the addition of Equity within the State Redevelopment Plan,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the State Planning Commission in her capacity as Secretary of State. “This ensures that New Jersey will be successful in creating fairer and more equitable communities. We are laying the foundation for a stronger, more inclusive future for generations to come.”

The updated Plan encourages development and redevelopment while focusing on preserving and protecting the state’s natural resources. It builds on other comprehensive planning efforts like the 2018 report The State of Innovation: Building a Stronger and Fairer Economy in New Jersey, which highlighted  investments in people, communities, and innovation. 

“New Jersey has a strong tradition of planning for the future, whether to protect environmental landscapes, preserve our agricultural resources, or to provide housing opportunities in all communities. By updating the State Development and Redevelopment Plan, we are ensuring that future generations will have the guidance, assistance, resources and strategies in place to manage and promote growth that is both sustainable and equitable,” said Tom Wright, Chair of the State Planning Commission and President and CEO of the Regional Plan Association.

"Alongside our local government partners, the Department of Environmental Protection plays a leading role in implementing the smart growth mindset of the State Plan while ensuring site-specific consistency with New Jersey's flood safety, water quality, and land resource protection laws. The updated Preliminary Draft Plan reflects New Jersey's longstanding commitment to improving environmental quality, public health, and safety as we promote the growth of our communities and economy," said Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. "The forethought of professional planners that begins in these pages will, in the years ahead, unfold in communities across the Garden State, as the Plan helps to guide the development and redevelopment of residential and commercial centers more resilient to the challenges of our changing climate, including risks of drought, wildfire, and flooding. Together, we will continue building a stronger, fairer, and more resilient New Jersey."

“For decades, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs has been integral in planning New Jersey’s smart growth and development strategy. That includes providing fair, equitable, and affordable housing to residents of all income levels, as a constitutional right. We will continue to progress that directive with new programs including NJ Housing Opportunities for Municipal Equity and Success (NJHOMES), Family Self-Sufficiency, Home Ownership, and the Bringing Veterans Home Initiative. The State Development and Redevelopment Plan reinforces the DCA mission, and will provide government leadership, at all levels, with consistent guidelines from which to plan the future development of our communities,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez.   

“Every project we construct at NJDOT is built on three values: safety, equity, and sustainability,” NJDOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor said. “The updated State Development and Redevelopment Plan not only supports these values but also ensures that NJDOT can provide a transportation system that connects New Jersey’s communities and strengthens our economy. I would like to thank the State Planning Commission for protecting and guiding New Jersey’s future in this plan.”

“The preliminary draft of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan provides a solid foundation for collaboration across state agencies,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy.  “We look forward to working with our sister state agencies to ensure alignment with land use policies throughout the state with a particular focus on infrastructure equity and access. The NJBPU is committed to doing our part to ensure all New Jersey residents have full access to clean energy options now and in the future.”

“The staff of the Office has spent a great deal of effort in reaching out to stakeholders to get preliminary feedback, even before the public hearing process that will begin in June,” said Executive Director of the State Planning Commission, Donna Rendeiro. “In the end, this Plan is for the benefit of the residents of New Jersey so it’s important to hear their voices.”

“I am thrilled to see the update to the Plan proceeding. The State Plan provides a roadmap to ensuring economic prosperity while still respecting environmental challenges that we must address going forward,” added Executive Director of the Business Action Center, Melanie Willoughby. “I anticipate working with our State agency partners and all levels of government in implementing the Plan.”

“This is a banner day for New Jersey and one that New Jersey Future has been anticipating and working toward for years,” said Peter Kasabach, Executive Director of New Jersey Future. “The release of the preliminary draft of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan provides a vital roadmap for guiding growth and development that is cost-effective for taxpayers, predictable for businesses and developers, protective of our natural resources, and inclusive of everyone. We are encouraged to see priorities like redevelopment, climate change adaptation, reducing reliance on driving, improving our existing infrastructure, and promoting equity front and center. We’re eager to collaborate with the governor and his team to align policies and investments with the vision outlined in the State Plan.”

Read the full Preliminary Draft of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan here.