By: Michael J. Lipari, Esq.
Today, Acting Governor Kim Guadagno signed a bill into law that extends a prior moratorium on the 2.5 percent non-residential development fee. This law (Legislative Bill S-2974) extends the moratorium for an additional two years, which should provide relief to commercial real estate developers.
By: Michael J. Lipari, Esq.
In an effort to provide certainty to development projects in the urban and more developed areas of the State, legislation has been adopted that extends general development plan (GDP) protection to large development projects situated on smaller sites.
Continue reading "New “Vertical GDP” Law Provides Options to Developers" »
By: Henry T. Chou, Esq.
Governor Christie has nominated Lori Grifa as the next Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). Grifa, a resident of Montclair, is currently a partner in the government and regulatory affairs group at Wolff Samson, and was previously a prosecutor in New York and Chief of Staff to former New Jersey Attorney General David Samson. Ms. Grifa is subject to confirmation by the New Jersey Senate.
Continue reading "Christie Nominates New DCA Commissioner" »
By: Henry T. Chou, Esq.
Governor-Elect Chris Christie has selected Bob Martin, a retired utility consultant, as the next Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Martin, formerly of the consulting firm Accenture LLP, served as Christie's energy and environmental policy advisor during last year's gubernatorial campaign.
By: Henry T. Chou, Esq.
For the past two years, a coalition of developers and business groups called the Smart Growth Economic Development Coalition has sought to effect significant changes in land use use and environmental regulatory laws aimed at keeping businesses in New Jersey and attacting new business. It now hopes to push through some of its legislation in the lame duck Legislative session after the gubernatorial election in November.
Continue reading "Development Coalition Seeks Overhaul of Land Use and Environmental Procedures" »
By: Thomas F. Carroll, III
The State of New Jersey has unveiled some rather ambitious housing proposals. For example, Governor Corzine has pledged to provide for 100,000 affordable housing units. Similarly, the Council on Affordable Housing (COAH) has proposed a new set of “third round” regulations, which also propose substantial numbers of affordable housing units along with the market rate housing units, and nonresidential development, that would accompany such lower income housing construction. The State also has ambitious dreams concerning the redevelopment of our depressed urban areas.
Continue reading "State Proposes Both New Growth and New Batch of Anti-Growth Regulations" »