file photo Governor Murphy
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, as Westwood Mayor Ray Arroyo expressed, a troubling trend is emerging in Trenton: the potential for state legislation to override local planning and zoning decisions. This issue has raised alarm among municipal leaders, as it threatens to replace community-based decision-making with policies dictated by developers, academics, and state-level officials who may lack local insight.
The Importance of Local Zoning Control
For decades, New Jersey’s Municipal Land Use Law has empowered local governing bodies, planning boards, and zoning boards to make decisions that shape their communities. These decisions reflect a deep understanding of local conditions, needs, and values—what Mayor Arroyo aptly calls an “excellent application of small-d democracy.”
However, current legislative initiatives, such as S-1408, propose to centralize zoning authority at the state level, allowing sweeping changes that could disrupt the carefully curated plans of local governments.
What is S-1408?
The proposed legislation, scheduled for review by the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee on January 30, seeks to:
- Authorize the conversion of office parks (50,000+ square feet) and retail centers (15,000+ square feet) with a 40%+ vacancy rate into mixed-use developments.
- Bypass municipal zoning regulations by permitting such conversions as of right, eliminating the need for variances.
- Require planning boards to approve applications for mixed-use conversions unless they cause substantial public detriment or violate zoning ordinances.
While the bill includes provisions for site plan reviews, such as parking and stormwater management, it undermines local discretion in height, setback, and usage standards.
Why Local Officials Oppose S-1408
The New Jersey State League of Municipalities and local leaders argue that the bill jeopardizes the thoughtful, community-driven process of zoning by:
- Overriding Municipal Expertise: Local officials are uniquely equipped to assess zoning decisions based on their community’s needs, development trends, and Master Plans.
- Undermining Variance Procedures: The variance process exists to evaluate deviations from zoning requirements on a case-by-case basis. Bypassing this procedure could lead to developments that are incompatible with local priorities.
- Ignoring Ongoing Efforts: Many municipalities are already revising their zoning to accommodate mixed-use and walkable developments in a holistic, sustainable way.
A Call to Action
Mayor Arroyo and other municipal leaders urge residents to:
- Review S-1408: Understand how this bill could impact your community.
- Contact Legislators: Express concerns to your state representatives and the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee.
- Advocate for Local Control: Support efforts to preserve the zoning authority of local governments.
The Stakes for Westwood and Beyond
In Mayor Arroyo’s words, the proposed legislation represents a “clawing back” of power from municipalities. If passed, it could lead to developments that fail to align with the unique needs and character of communities like Westwood. “These decisions most impact our experiences of living in Westwood,” he said. “Trenton’s intervention is unwise and disappointing at best, and adversely transformational at worst.”
Protecting Local Zoning for a Stronger Future
As the debate over S-1408 unfolds, the message from local leaders is clear: zoning decisions belong in the hands of those who know their communities best. Residents are encouraged to stay informed, speak up, and support the principles of small-d democracy that have long guided planning in New Jersey.
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Murphy and the democrats are a cancer on our society! Look at the facts.