A Study on Cross-Acceptance System in Regional Planning Process: The Experiences of the State of New Jersey in Statewide Growth Management since 1992

Abstract

The first State Development and Redevelopment Plan (SDRP) of the State of New Jersey was formulated in response to the mandates of the New Jersey Legislature contained in the New Jersey State Planning Act of 1985. It established the New Jersey State Planning Commission and required the Commission to prepare and adopt the SDRP and to revise and readopt the SDRP at least every 3 years thereafter. The Act also created a statewide planning process, designated Cross-Acceptance, to ensure the participation of governments at all levels and the public in preparing the plan and in its periodic revision. This paper reviews the agreements and disagreements in the past cross-acceptances and discusses the “teeth” in SDRP, which are required to incorporate reluctant local governments and regional and state agencies into the system, and it consolidates the planning process.