Regional Planning

Question 1

When was the Hackensack Meadowlands Reclamation and Development Act (HMRDA) adopted?

Answer 1

1968

Question 2

HMRDA established….

Answer 2

Meadowlands Commission (NJSEA since 2015)

Question 3

Who has jurisdiction over wetlands in the Hackensack Meadowlands planning area?

Answer 3

Army Corps of Engineers

Question 4

Meadowlands Commission (NJSEA) membership

Answer 4

16 members:
- State Treasurer
- NJSEA President
- 1 member of municipal committee appointed by Governor
- 11 appointed by Governor
- 1 appointed by Senate President
- 1 appointed by Speaker of General Assembly

Question 5

Who is the planning/zoning agency of the Hackensack Meadowlands planning area?

Answer 5

NJ Sports and Exposition Authority

Question 6

How big is the Hackensack Meadowlands planning area?

Answer 6

30 sqmi / ~19,000 acres

Question 7

How many municipalities are in the Hackensack Meadowlands planning area?

Answer 7

14

Question 8

NJSEA Objectives

Answer 8

• preserve/balance nature
• special protection of air/water, waste disposal
• orderly comprehensive development of a variety of uses

Question 9

When was the original Hackensack Meadowlands regional plan adopted?

Answer 9

1970

Question 10

When was the Pinelands National Reserve created?

Answer 10

National Parks and Recreation Act (1978)

Question 11

When was the state Pinelands Area created?

Answer 11

NJ Pinelands Protection Act (1979)

Question 12

How big is the state Pinelands Area?

Answer 12

927,000 acres
53 municipalities
7 counties

Question 13

What is the federal government’s role in the protection of the Pinelands?

Answer 13

To fund public land acquisition and monitor implementation of the comprehensive plan.

Question 14

Pinelands Commission membership

Answer 14

15 members
- 7 appointed by Governor
- 7 county reps
- 1 appointed by US Secretary of the Interior

Question 15

What is the Pinelands Municipal Council?

Answer 15

Council of all 53 mayors to advise the Pinelands Commission (quorum of 15)

Question 16

What are the components of the Pinelands Land Capability Map?

Answer 16

9 land use management areas
- 1 preservation area
- 8 protection areas

Question 17

Who has local planning/zoning authority in the Pinelands?

Answer 17

Local governments, but they must comply with the regional “zoning” plan
- applicants apply to the municipality and Commission for review
- All master plans must be certified for consistency with comprehensive plan
- Commission reviews applications for completeness

Question 18

How big is the Pinelands National Reserve?

Answer 18

1.1 million acres
56 municipalities
7 counties

Question 19

When was the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act passed?

Answer 19

2004

Question 20

How big is the Highlands area?

Answer 20

800,000 acres
7 counties
88 municipalities

Question 21

What does the Highlands Council do?

Answer 21

• prepares the regional master plan
• identifies environmental/farmland preservation priorities with Preservation Area
• identifies critical areas within Planning Area
• supports TDR
• Advises NJDEP on Highlands-related water resource regulations

Question 22

Highlands Council membership

Answer 22

15 members appointed by the Governor

Question 23

How often is the Highlands master plan amended?

Answer 23

every 6 years

Question 24

What is the difference between the Highlands Preservation Area and Planning Area?

Answer 24

Preservation Area municipalities MUST conform
Planning Area municipalities MAY conform voluntarily for funding eligibility

Question 25

What are the NJDEP rules for Highlands development?

Answer 25

Adopted in 2006
requires special NJDEP approval for “Major Highlands Development” (1 ac disturbance)

Question 26

When was the D&R Canal Commission established?

Answer 26

1974 during creation of the D&R Canal State Park

Question 27

What are the general purposes of the D&R Canal Commission?

Answer 27

• Review state actions in the park
• Plan for development of the park
• Regulate land use to protect the park

Question 28

What are the D&R Canal review zones?

Answer 28

Zone A: generally within 1,000ft of the canal
Zone B: portions of counties upstream from the canal

Question 29

Which municipalities are within the Dismal Swamp Conservation Area?

Answer 29

• Edison
• Metuchen
• South Plainfield

Question 30

When was the Dismal Swamp Preservation Commission created?

Answer 30

2009

Question 31

What is a “major development” application per the Pinelands Protection Act?

Answer 31

• subdivision involving 5 or more lots
• construction of 5 or more dwelling units
• commercial/industrial use of 3 or more acres
• any site disturbance of 5,000 square feet or more

Question 32

What is “Major Highlands Development”?

Answer 32

• 1 acre of disturbance within the Preservation Area
• requires Highlands Preservation Area Approval (HPAA)