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After drafting the blueprint to close out 2024, the Murphy administration announced this month adopting New Jersey’s updated State Development and Redevelopment Plan.
The clearance from the State Planning Commission during its Dec. 17 meeting marks the first new State Plan since 2001, according to officials.
All levels of government collaborated on this latest effort. Announced Dec. 22, the outline aims to guide and inform the public and encourage state agencies, counties and municipalities to align local land use policies with this larger vision.
Goals of the state plan include promoting a balanced and inclusive strategy to manage growth across the state.
It focuses on land-use priorities in 10 specified areas:
- Economic Development
Promote economic growth that benefits all residents of New Jersey - Housing
Provide an adequate supply of housing for residents of all ages and incomes in communities of their choosing that meet their needs and offer ready access to the full range of supportive goods and services - Infrastructure
Economic opportunity through nation leading infrastructure - Revitalization and Recentering
Revitalize and recenter the state’s underutilized developed areas - Climate Change
Effectively address the adverse impacts of global climate change - Natural and Water Resources
Protect, maintain, and restore the state’s natural and water resources and ecosystems - Pollution and Environmental Cleanup
Protect the environment, prevent and clean up pollution - Historic and Scenic Resources
Protect, enhance, and improve access to areas with exceptional archeological, historic, cultural, scenic, open space, and recreational value - Equity
Implement equitable planning practices to promote thriving communities for all New Jerseyans - Comprehensive Planning
Foster sound and integrated planning and implementation at all levels statewide
“The adoption of a new State Development and Redevelopment Plan provides New Jersey with a clear, modern blueprint that balances economic vitality with environmental stewardship,” said Gov. Phil Murphy. “With this historic step, we have set New Jersey on a path for creating healthy, resilient, and affordable communities connected to jobs, recreation, and high-quality transportation.”
Collaborative effort
The Office of Planning Advocacy within the Department of State began extensive outreach efforts in 2023 to develop the preliminary update. Following publication of a draft plan last December, a months-long public comment period ensued. After that, the state said a cross acceptance process compared municipal, county and state land-use plans with the newest draft in pursuit of “maximum consistency.”
Additionally, it builds on other comprehensive planning efforts, such as the 2018 “The State of Innovation: Building a Stronger and Fairer Economy in New Jersey,” the state said.
The State Planning Commission guided development of the plan with support from the Office of Planning Advocacy, housed within the New Jersey Business Action Center. Lt. Gov. Tehesha Way oversees the State Planning Commission in her capacity as secretary of state.
Tom Wright is chair of the State Planning Commission and president and CEO of the Regional Plan Association. He described the new plan as a “clear, modern framework.”
“This milestone will ensure that future generations will have the tools, coordination, and vision needed to support vibrant communities, strong economies, and a healthy environment across our State,” he continued.
Read the full New Jersey Development and Redevelopment Plan here.
“Getting to Plan adoption has been a multi-year process for our office,” he said.
Executive Director of the Office of Planning Advocacy Walter Lane described the multiyear process to get to this point. In particular, he noted efforts to engage others in the process.
“Once that was approved for release at the end of 2024, our staff spent all of 2025 traveling across the State to hold 22 public meetings and six public hearings in an effort to solicit comments,.” he said. “This Plan is for the benefit of the residents of New Jersey so it was important to hear their voices.”
This Plan is for the benefit of the residents of New Jersey so it was important to hear their voices.
— Walter Lane, executive director, Office of Planning Advocacy
New Jersey Future Executive Director Peter Kasabach said his organization is eager to collaborate with the state to align policies and investments.
“The adoption of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan provides a vital roadmap for guiding growth and development that is cost-effective for taxpayers, predictable for businesses and developers, protective of our natural resources, and inclusive of everyone,” said Kasabach. “We are encouraged to see priorities like redevelopment, climate change adaptation, reducing reliance on driving, improving our existing infrastructure, and promoting equity front and center.
