Governor McGreevey, in his recent State of the State, cited suburban sprawl as "the greatest threat to our quality of life." The Governor went on to outline a broad approach to curb sprawl.

The next day Commissioners Brad Campbell of DEP, John Lettiere of DOT, Susan Bass Levin of DCA and Agriculture Secretary Charles Kuperus, unveiled the "Big Map." For the past several months, the League's Smart Growth Committee, chaired by League President and Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, has been meeting with the commissioners to provide input into the development of the preliminary and conceptual map. The map divides the state into red zones, in which the state will not offer subsidies for development; yellow zones in which there may be some development; and green zones, which are targeted for growth.

The Administration drew some immediate "Chicken Little" type criticism, particularly from those in the development community who believe that the sky is literally falling.

The League's response, however, was deliberately restrained. We are encouraged by some of the points outlined by the Governor in the State of the State. For too long, the playing field has been tilted in favor of developers at the expense of local officials, and, more importantly, property taxpayers.

The only red flag to us is the prospect of regional planning. If this is to provide a mediator for border conflicts, that's one thing. But if this means usurping the duties of local planning boards, the League will defend the rights of our citizens to self-determination.

As for the "Big Map," we're taking a wait-and-see position. It is our responsibility to work with DEP and DCA on this matter. We are developing a series of regional meetings so that local officials can give direct feedback to DEP and DCA on how the Map affects municipalities.

All in all, we're encouraged by what we hear. Before the State of the State, many columnists and editorial pages opined that home rule was the problem, that 566 plans clashed and caused sprawl and that the stick, rather than the carrot, is necessary to bring municipalities into compliance.

The truth is just the opposite; sprawl has burdened our landscape because of infringements on home rule. Local officials must balance contrary and competing interests: environmental concerns, affordable housing obligations, the overwhelming desire of the population for open space preservation, and property tax relief, to name just a few. It's time for the Legislature, and yes even the Courts, to give municipalities the tools to balance these interests.

We welcome the Administration's support on these issues. We also call on the Administration to work with the League to pass legislation authorizing timed-growth ordinances and transfer of development rights (TDR).

And we welcome the opportunity to articulate our vision of smart growth, which can be summed up in two words: empower municipalities.

Governor McGreevey, in his recent State of the State, cited suburban sprawl as "the greatest threat to our quality of life." The Governor went on to outline a broad approach to curb sprawl.

The next day Commissioners Brad Campbell of DEP, John Lettiere of DOT, Susan Bass Levin of DCA and Agriculture Secretary Charles Kuperus, unveiled the "Big Map." For the past several months, the League's Smart Growth Committee, chaired by League President and Elizabeth Mayor Chris Bollwage, has been meeting with the commissioners to provide input into the development of the preliminary and conceptual map. The map divides the state into red zones, in which the state will not offer subsidies for development; yellow zones in which there may be some development; and green zones, which are targeted for growth.

The Administration drew some immediate "Chicken Little" type criticism, particularly from those in the development community who believe that the sky is literally falling.

The League's response, however, was deliberately restrained. We are encouraged by some of the points outlined by the Governor in the State of the State. For too long, the playing field has been tilted in favor of developers at the expense of local officials, and, more importantly, property taxpayers.

The only red flag to us is the prospect of regional planning. If this is to provide a mediator for border conflicts, that's one thing. But if this means usurping the duties of local planning boards, the League will defend the rights of our citizens to self-determination.

As for the "Big Map," we're taking a wait-and-see position. It is our responsibility to work with DEP and DCA on this matter. We are developing a series of regional meetings so that local officials can give direct feedback to DEP and DCA on how the Map affects municipalities.

All in all, we're encouraged by what we hear. Before the State of the State, many columnists and editorial pages opined that home rule was the problem, that 566 plans clashed and caused sprawl and that the stick, rather than the carrot, is necessary to bring municipalities into compliance.

The truth is just the opposite; sprawl has burdened our landscape because of infringements on home rule. Local officials must balance contrary and competing interests: environmental concerns, affordable housing obligations, the overwhelming desire of the population for open space preservation, and property tax relief, to name just a few. It's time for the Legislature, and yes even the Courts, to give municipalities the tools to balance these interests.

We welcome the Administration's support on these issues. We also call on the Administration to work with the League to pass legislation authorizing timed-growth ordinances and transfer of development rights (TDR).

And we welcome the opportunity to articulate our vision of smart growth, which can be summed up in two words: empower municipalities.