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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PARTICIPATION OF PASSAIC COUNTY IN THE STATE DEVELOPMENT PLAN CROSS-ACCEPTANCE PROCESS.
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WHEREAS, the County of Passaic (hereafter “County”) is a government body incorporated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:18-1, et.seq., and vested with all rights contained therein; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:20-1, the Board of County Commissioners for the County of Passaic (hereafter “Board”) is vested with decision-making powers on behalf of the County; and
WHEREAS, the State Planning Act of 1985 (N.J.S.A. 52:18A-196, et.seq.) created a State Planning Commission and an Office of Planning Advocacy for the purpose of establishing a cooperative planning process that involves the full participation of state, county and local governments; and
WHEREAS, the State Planning Act states that New Jersey needs integrated and coordinated planning in order to conserve its natural resources, to revitalize its urban centers, to provide affordable housing and adequate public facilities at a reasonable cost, to promote equal social and economic opportunity for New Jersey’s citizens, and to prevent sprawl and promote the suitable us of the land; and
WHEREAS, the primary duty and responsibility of the State Planning Commission under the State Planning Act is the preparation of a “State Development and Redevelopment Plan”; and
WHEREAS, the State Planning Act also provides that the State’s counties are to have an essential role in the development of the State Plan through their participation in the Cross-acceptance process to be conducted under the Act; and
WHEREAS, the Cross-acceptance process is the primary vehicle under the Act for promoting vertical coordination and integration of state, county and local plans by affording county and participating municipal governments a full and open opportunity to be involved in reconciling inconsistencies between state and local policies; and
WHEREAS, the Board has concluded that it is appropriate, necessary and in the County’s interest to fully participate in the development of the State Plan through the full and active participation of the County government, including in particular its Planning Board and its Department of Planning, in the Cross-acceptance process; and
WHEREAS, this matter was discussed at the November 6, 2024, meeting of the Planning and Economic Development Committee and is being recommended to the Board for approval; and
NOW, THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED, by the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners of the County of Passaic as follows:
1. The Passaic County Planning Board is hereby authorized and directed to carry out the Cross-acceptance process as the Negotiating Entity for Passaic County pursuant to the State Planning Act, N.J.S.A. 52:18A-196, et.seq., and the State Planning Rules, N.J.A.C. 15:30 and any other rules promulgated by the State Planning Commission for this purpose;
2. That the Passaic County Planning Board shall prepare a proposed work program and schedule for negotiating municipal and county Cross-acceptance and shall submit said work program and schedule to the New Jersey Office of Planning Advocacy;
3. That the Passaic County Department of Planning shall provide staff assistance to the County Planning Board in order to prepare a Cross-acceptance Response Template and successfully complete the Cross-acceptance Process;
4. That all other Passaic County Departments and Agencies shall cooperate with the County Planning Board and provide information and furnish such documents as may be required;
5. That the Passaic County Administrator is hereby authorized to file application and execute a contract agreement with the State Planning Commission for any financial assistance which my become available for the administration of the Cross-acceptance process.
JDP November 18, 2024