Bill > A5028

Introduced Session

This bill directs the State Planning Commission (commission) to adopt rules and regulations, or publish a regulatory guidance document to assist municipal planning boards and other agencies acting pursuant to the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.), in considering applications for the development of warehouses. The bill directs the commission to produce the guidance publication in a concise, plain-language format, incorporating examples of questions and reports that would customarily be asked of, or requested from, a warehouse development applicant prior to the issuance of development approvals. These model questions and report requests are to address potential community concerns, including but not limited to, traffic volumes, road safety, and environmental considerations. The bill directs the commission to make the guidance publication available to the public on its Internet website. The bill also requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs (commissioner) to incorporate the guidance document into the course offered to officials with responsibilities to enforce the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.). The commission would be required to notify the commissioner upon completion of the guidance document, and upon any updates. Due to the rise of e-commerce, warehouse development has increased significantly in recent years, leading to concerns over the impacts of these facilities on nearby neighborhoods. This bill intends to enhance the ability of local approving authorities to sufficiently scrutinize warehouse developers prior to authorizing further warehouse construction in New Jersey communities. This bill would take effect immediately, and would require the commission to produce the guidance publication by the first day of the third month following enactment.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Joe Danielsen (D)*,  Alex Sauickie (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Community Development and Affairs Committee (on 01/10/2023)

Official Document