N.J. Admin. Code § 15:30-1.6 - Public participation

(a) Public participation shall include written or oral comments concerning cross-acceptance, plan endorsement, and map amendments presented before or during the public comment period at the meetings of the State Planning Commission or any committee thereof, and at any public hearings conducted pursuant to these rules. All applicable meetings shall be carried out in accordance with the Senator Byron M. Baer Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq., unless otherwise specified.

(b) Any member of the public can request notice of meetings or hearings, subsequent documents concerning a particular matter pending before the State Planning Commission, and any action taken by the State Planning Commission or the Office of Planning Advocacy pursuant to this chapter by registering with the Office of Planning Advocacy in the following manner:

1. Filing a written request for such notice and document specifying subject matter requested; and

2. Providing name, organization, if any, address, phone and fax numbers, and email address.

(c) Cross-acceptance is intended to be an open and thorough dialog that involves not only governments but the public at-large as well. The State Planning Commission considers an inclusionary approach to cross-acceptance critical to the success of the process. To that end, the State Planning Commission and each negotiating entity shall provide meaningful opportunities for public participation during cross-acceptance. At a minimum, the public may participate in cross-acceptance through the following means:

1. Public comment pursuant to N.J.A.C. 15:30-2.2(a) as to what changes, if any, are appropriate in the State Development and Redevelopment Plan prior to the preparation and release of a Preliminary State Development and Redevelopment Plan;

2. Public comment at negotiation sessions conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 15:30-4;

3. Submission of written comments to the State Planning Commission at any time up to 30 days after the last public hearing conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 15:30-5.2;

4. Written communication with negotiating entities or municipal or county officials involved in cross-acceptance;

5. Comments presented at meetings of the various committees of the State Planning Commission as they relate to the work of those committees; and

6. Participation in advisory committees.

(d) At a minimum, the public may participate in plan endorsement through the following means:

1. Public comment to the Commission and its committees when a petitioner is seeking approval of a petition for plan endorsement, a petition to amend or a revocation of plan endorsement, or of a designated center pursuant to N.J.A.C. 15:30-7;

2. Written communication with petitioners seeking plan endorsement; and

3. Submission of written comments to the Executive Director at any time up to 30 days after any public hearing on a petition for plan endorsement, a petition to amend or a revocation of plan endorsement or of a designated center.

(e) The State Plan Policy Map is the geographic application of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan goals, strategies, and policies. Petitions to amend the State Plan Policy Map seek to demonstrate that the proposed change better reflects the goals, strategies, and policies of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan. At a minimum, the public may participate in map amendments through the following means:

1. Public comment to the State Planning Commission and its committees when the State Planning Commission is proposing a map amendment pursuant to N.J.A.C. 15:30-8.3(a) or when a petitioner is seeking a map amendment pursuant to N.J.A.C. 15:30-8.3(c);

2. Written communication with petitioners seeking map amendments; and

3. Submission of written comments to the Executive Director of the Office of Planning Advocacy at any time up to 30 days after any public hearing conducted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 15:30-8.5(e).

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 15:30-1.6

Amended and Recodified from 5:85-1.6 by 56 N.J.R. 41(b), effective 1/2/2024