The NJ State Development and Redevelopment Plan is Being Updated – Where and How Should New Jersey Grow? Add Your Voice!

October 12th, 2023 by Chris Sturm

The NJ State Planning Commission is hosting a series of eight webinars in October to gather input on how to update the New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan. Last adopted in 2001, the State Plan provides a comprehensive framework intended to guide future development, redevelopment, conservation, preservation, and restoration efforts in the state of New Jersey.

Each webinar focuses on one to two of the State Plan’s existing high-level goals and strategies or one of the two proposed new goals for Climate Change/Resilience and Equity/Environmental Justice. The webinars allow for high-level input through polls and a chat function. Interested parties may also submit written comments at this email (stateplan dot commentssos dot nj dot gov) .

Launching the Next State Plan session at the 2023 NJ Planning and Redevelopment Conference. State Planning Commission members in attendance included Tom Wright, Edward McKenna, Elizabeth Terenik, Stephen Santola, Bruce Harris, and Danielle Esser. Photo by Frank H. Conlon

Launching the Next State Plan was a session held at the 2023 Planning and Redevelopment conference and explored how to best update the State Plan to better reflect the present conditions and future outlook of New Jersey.

To learn more about the State Plan update, to register for a session, or view recordings of past sessions, visit www.publicinput.com/njstateplan. We will share information on additional opportunities to participate in the State Plan update process when available.

In the meantime, the 2023 Planning and Redevelopment Conference workshop, Launching the Next State Plan, explored how to best update the State Plan to better reflect the present conditions and future outlook of New Jersey.

Upcoming State Plan Meeting Schedule as of October 12, 2023
from the New Jersey Office of Planning and Advocacy:

Open Space, Historic and Cultural Preservation Strategies in an Updated State Plan

Date: Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. (Eastern Time)

In this two-hour webinar, participants will hear a panel discussion on the State’s desire to enhance, preserve and use historic, cultural, scenic, open space and recreational assets by collaborative planning, design, investment, and management techniques. Our expert panel will provide feedback on updating the current language in Goal 7:

Goal #7: Preserve and Enhance Areas with Historic, Cultural, Scenic, Open Space and Recreational Value

Panelist:

Julie Hain, Executive Director – South Jersey Cultural Alliance

Captain Bill Sheehan, Riverkeeper – Hackensack Riverkeeper

Vincent Mann, Chiefmann – Ramapough Land & Cultural Foundation

(Additional Palnelist to be announced)

Establishing Goals for Social Justice in an Updated State Plan

Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023

Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Eastern Time)

In this two-hour webinar, participants will hear a panel discussion for establishing new goals and strategies for social justice in the updated NJ State Plan and the topic’s influence on all other Goals in the State Plan. Our expert panel will provide feedback on establishing language in new Goal 9:

Goal #9: Prevent the Concentration of Adverse Environmental Impacts in Overburdened Communities

Panelist:

Deidre Belinfanti – Garden State Equality

Dr. John E. Harmon, Sr. IOM – African American Chamber of Commerce of NJ

(Additional Palnelist to be announced)

Establishing Goals for Climate Change & Resilience in an Updated State Plan

Date: Friday, October 20, 2023

Time: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. (Eastern Time)

In this two-hour webinar, participants will hear a panel discussion for establishing new goals and strategies for climate change and resilience in the updated NJ State Plan and the topic’s influence on all other Goals in the State Plan. Our expert panel will provide feedback on establishing language in new Goal 8:

Goal #8: Address the Negative Impacts of Global Climate Change

Panelist:

Paul Drake, Regional Public Affairs – PSE&G

Kerry Kirk-Pflugh, Executive Director – NJ Conference of Mayors

(Additional Palnelist to be announced)

Economic Development and Workforce Strategies in an Updated State Plan

Date: Monday, October 23, 2023

Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Eastern Time)

In this two-hour webinar, participants will hear a panel discussion on the economic development and workforce strategies in the current NJ State Plan and their influence on revitalizing the State’s cities and towns. Our expert panel will provide feedback on updating the current language in Goals 1 and 3:

Goal #1: Revitalize the State’s Cities and Towns
Goal #3: Promote Beneficial Economic Growth, Development and Renewal for All Residents of New Jersey

Panelist: (To be announced)

Sound & Integrated Planning in an Updated State Plan

Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Time: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Eastern Time)

In this two-hour webinar, participants will hear a panel discussion on the Plan Endorsement process, planning based on capacity analysis and integrating planning with investment decisions at all levels of government and in the private sector. Our expert panel will provide feedback on updating the current State Plan language in Goal 10: