ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS DIEGNAN/BARNES BILL FOR COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENT PLANS

ASSEMBLY PANEL CLEARS DIEGNAN/BARNES BILL FOR COMMUNITY NOTIFICATION OF DEVELOPMENT PLANSMeasure Would Require Towns to Post Signs Alerting Residents of Proposed Construction(TRENTON) -- The Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee today approved legislation Assemblymen Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr., and Peter J. Barnes, Jr., sponsored to require towns to erect signs notifying residents of proposed redevelopment plans and alerting neighbors to public hearings.

The measure (A-2486) was crafted in response to a recent appellate court decision that struck down an Edison notification ordinance that included a requirement that developers post signs on the site of proposed projects. The court said that state law did not allow townships to enact their own notification plans.

"Residents must have ample time and opportunity to review and comment on plans that will directly impact their communities," said Diegnan (D-Middlesex). "Local officials and developers need to take every practicable step to give residents a chance to have input on any proposal that will effect their neighborhood. Requiring signs that all residents can easily read well before any construction takes place is an important part of that process."

The bill would require municipalities to erect signs on the site of proposed development projects stating:

PUBLIC NOTICE

A Development Application has been filed with the (Zoning Board of Adjustment or Planning Board, as appropriate) relative to this property. For more information, call (Telephone number of designated municipal official) and reference application # ______.

Towns would individually determine the size of the placards to be required. Under the Edison ordinance, developers had to erect signs that measured 32 square feet.

Municipalities would be empowered to charge developers fees of up to $75 to cover printing and other associated costs.

Signs would have to be posted at least 10 days before the first scheduled public hearing on a development application and remain standing for 45 days following final action by the local decision-making board or authority.

"Residents have a right to know what is taking place in their communities," said Barnes (D-Middlesex). "Towns should encourage the involvement of residents. Local government is strengthened when public input is encouraged. This bill will ensure that a community’s residents, who have a stake in the town’s development, will know what is being proposed and have adequate time to voice their concerns before plans are finalized."

The measure was released with a vote of 6 to 0 and now goes to the Assembly Speaker, who decides when and if to post it for a floor vote.

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