ANTI SPRAWL LEGISLATION IN NJ

It seems possible that during the 2-month lame duck session that 2 anti sprawl bills may pass the N.J. legislature. Surprising support from builders increased their chances. One bill would allow towns the right to charge residential developers so called impact fees to help offset hidden costs of development, such as the need for more schools, roads and other municipal services. The other bill would give growing municipalities more ability to steer developments to areas that already have sewers and water hookups. As Lao tsu noted: THE JOURNEY OF A THOUSNAND MILES BEGINS WITH A SINGLE STEP.

The builder’s acquiescence is surprising as the New Jersey Builders Association has opposed the McGreevey administrations’ anti-sprawl policies claiming that they would boost the state’s average housing cost by more than $120,000 and cost 42,806 jobs and $17 billion in lost income. McGreevey has had more success with anti-sprawl policies by implementing DEP regulation changes such as tough storm water management and provisions protecting pristine waterways from construction.

McGreevey has sought to link the impact fee bill to a requirement that municipalities follow the mandates of the larger State plan. Elected officials in towns and municipalities are so often a cheaper buy for greedy builders that it is not surprising that the League of Municipalities seems reluctant to endorse this policy.

This recent quote from the Sierra Club: “Builders saying they support smart growth is like Ben & Jerry’s running a weight loss clinic…these bills are just a smoke screen.”