Office of Smart Growth Annual Report Now Available Online
Report Highlights Year Filled with Accomplishments



TRENTON –Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Joseph Doria today announced that the Office of Smart Growth’s (OSG) Annual Report is now available online. The report discusses and highlights the progress of the OSG during the Fiscal Year 2008-2009. It is available at: www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/osg/.

“The past year has been a busy one for the Office of Smart Growth and we shall continue to build upon that success in coming year,” said Commissioner Doria. “Our Main Street program and Plan Endorsement witnessed major accomplishments and we look forward to presenting Governor Corzine with the updated State Plan in the near future.”

In 2008 the OSG continued its work on developing an updated State Development and Redevelopment Plan (State Plan). The Plan was last updated in 2001. With the assistance of the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Center, OSG hopes to have the final plan finished by early spring of this year.

Last year, West Cape May Borough and Woolwich Township received Plan Endorsement. Woolwich became the first municipality to do Transfer of Development Rights as a result of Plan Endorsement. Plan Endorsement is a tool developed by the State Planning Commission to provide technical assistance and coordination for municipalities, counties, regional and State agencies to meet the publicly supported goals of the State Planning Act. The Plan Endorsement process is voluntary and establishes a method by which government agencies at all levels may develop capital investment and implement plans that will achieve the goals, policies and strategies of the State Plan.

Additionally, in 2008 OSG saw Somerville, Newton, Caldwell, Montclair, Orange and Maple Shade become the newest members of the Main Street New Jersey program. Main Street New Jersey is a comprehensive revitalization program that promotes the historic and economic redevelopment of traditional business districts in New Jersey. Every two years the DCA accepts applications and designates selected communities to join the program. These communities receive valuable technical support and training to assist in restoring their Main Streets as centers of community and economic activity. The program helps municipalities improve the economy, appearance and image of their central business districts through the organization of local citizens and resources.

The OSG coordinates planning throughout New Jersey to protect the environment and guide future growth into compact, mixed-use development and redevelopment. The Office implements the goals of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan to achieve comprehensive, long-term planning; and integrates that planning with programmatic and regulatory land-use decisions at all levels of government and the private sector.

For further information on the OSG, please log on to www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/osg/ or call 609-292-7156.