As we reported on Friday, S-4048 was favorably reported from the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on Thursday, by a vote of 7 in favor, 1 against, and 5 abstentions, favorably reported out of committee S-4048 with committee amendments, which limits development in specifically designed historic districts. The League opposes this legislation as it usurps municipal authority.
This amended legislation narrowly defines historic district and grants waiver authority to the Planning Board where the historic district is located. Under this narrow definition of historic district, this legislation applies to about eight locations throughout the state. However, in one instance, the historic district is in a neighboring municipality from the proposed development and grants land use authority to the neighboring municipality where there is no responsibility or accountability to the residents of the developing municipality.
The League opposes this legislation because it violates the long-held tenet of home rule where municipalities are able to make decisions for their communities and stand accountable to their residents.
This bill was scheduled for a vote in the full Senate but was not considered. We thank those elected officials that reached out to their Senators to voice your opposition.
We expect that this legislation may be considered later in the year and will alert you when that occurs.
Contact: Paul Penna, Director of Government Affairs, ppenna@njlm.org, 609-695-3481, x110.