A new study by Rowan University’s Geospatial Research Laboratory finds that municipal zoning in New Jersey has resulted in a land-use pattern that has grown substantially more exclusionary and more sprawling over the last two decades.
Planning and Governance
Exclusionary Zoning, Sprawl on the Rise
Thursday, July 21st, 2011Regional Planning Efforts Have Friends in High Places
Thursday, July 21st, 2011Recently, some have questioned whether New Jersey’s regional planning bodies in the Pinelands, Meadowlands and Highlands really matter, or whether they just add an unnecessary layer of government or red tape. In their latest Star-Ledger column, Govs. Brendan Byrne and Tom Kean made it clear where they stand on regional planning.
New Jersey Cities Breathe Sigh of Relief
Tuesday, July 19th, 2011Gov. Christie has put transitional aid to cities, accompanied by oversight mechanisms, back in the budget, but has said he wants to wean cities off this aid. Given a half-century of disinvestment in urban areas, that may not be possible as soon as he would like. Until cities’ property tax bases reverse their decline, state aid will still be needed to deliver critical services.
Revision to Land Use Law Advances Smart Growth
Thursday, July 7th, 2011Gov. Chris Christie has signed legislation that updates the Municipal Land Use Law to make municipal “General Development Plan” (GDP) approvals and other longer-term approvals available to higher-density projects, including those with a mix of uses.
New Jersey’s Solar Ambitions Raise Difficult Land-Use Issues
Wednesday, July 6th, 2011Because of New Jersey’s small size, the effects of solar development on other land uses are more pressing than in other states. As solar development continues, the issue of whether a solar installation is the best use of a given parcel of land will become increasingly salient.
Smart Growth Photo Contest
Sunday, June 26th, 2011The first annual Smart Growth Photo Contest was a great success, with over 130 entries. Congratulations to our grand prize winner, Andrew Svekla.
NJ Homebuilders Create Affiliate to Lobby for Multifamily Development
Monday, June 20th, 2011In yet another sign that the real estate market is moving away from the typical suburban, single-family housing toward more compact, walkable development, the New Jersey Builders Association recently announced the formation of an affiliate organization to advocate specifically for multifamily housing issues.
Bill That Undermines Tax Sharing Passes Committee
Friday, June 17th, 2011New Jersey Future opposes bill that would transfer the responsibility for funding the Meadowlands tax sharing program to the general fund.
Jersey City and Ridgewood Adopt Complete Streets Policies, Bringing Statewide Total to 13
Wednesday, June 15th, 2011When the state Department of Transportation adopted its Complete Streets policy in late 2009, it represented a significant step in the department’s ongoing effort to improve pedestrian safety, as well as a formal recognition that roads in New Jersey are meant for all users, not only drivers.
Metropark, and the Limits of Brookings’ Transit Accessibility Study
Monday, June 13th, 2011Brookings’ jobs-accessibility study would be more valuable if it measured how accessible transit is to workers, not just to their jobs.