New Jersey Administrative Code › Title 5 - COMMUNITY AFFAIRS › Chapter 47 - NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION STATE TAX CREDIT › Subchapter 3 - NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PLAN › Section 5:47-3.3 - Planning process

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 14, July 15, 2024
(a) The process by which
				the neighborhood revitalization plan is developed must be one in which residents,
				property owners, and businesspersons within the neighborhood, other nonprofit
				organizations within the neighborhood or providing services to neighborhood
				residents, and the municipal government, are fully informed and all given a
				meaningful opportunity to participate in the development of the plan. The provisions
				set forth in this section shall govern plans initiated after March 15, 2004; plans
				already completed or underway prior to that date are governed by the provisions of
				5:47-3.5.
(b) The nonprofit organization responsible for
				developing the plan shall notify the municipal government of its intention to
				develop a neighborhood plan prior to, or simultaneously with, the initial written
				notice to neighborhood residents, property owners and businesspersons. Notice shall
				be provided in writing to the municipal clerk, with copies to the municipal business
				administrator and the municipal official responsible for planning activities. The
				nonprofit organization responsible for developing the plan shall provide the
				municipal official responsible for planning activities with copies of materials
				prepared by the entity on an ongoing basis during the development of the plan, and
				shall provide the municipality with the opportunity to comment upon said materials.
				Wherever reasonably feasible, the nonprofit organization responsible for developing
				the plan shall obtain a letter from the municipality indicating its support for the
				plan or, in lieu of a letter, shall submit any comments provided by the municipality
				on the plan, which shall be attached to the plan submitted to the
				Department.
(c) The nonprofit
				organization responsible for developing the plan shall utilize reasonable means to
				ensure that to the extent reasonably feasible residents, property owners and
				businesspersons within the neighborhood are informed of the intention to develop the
				plan. Methods may include flyers, posters, and announcements at community meetings,
				mailings, direct outreach, and development of a website. In addition, notice shall
				be provided on a regular basis while the plan is in preparation.
(d) The nonprofit organization responsible for
				developing the plan shall provide opportunities for residents, property owners, and
				business-persons to participate in the development of the plan. Such opportunities
				may include large-scale public events such as community meetings, workshops and
				charrettes, smaller events such as focus groups, as well as formal and informal
				one-on-one surveys. To the extent that the preparation of the plan involves
				community meetings, workshops, charrettes, and other public activities, the
				nonprofit organization shall ensure that residents and other neighborhood
				stakeholders are provided with adequate notice of such activities.
(e) The nonprofit organization responsible for
				developing the plan shall reach out to other nonprofit organizations, such as
				housing development entities, health care providers, educational institutions, and
				religious institutions located within the neighborhood or, if located outside the
				neighborhood, providing services to a substantial number of neighborhood residents,
				and shall solicit their input in the development of the plan. Wherever reasonably
				feasible, the nonprofit organization responsible for developing the plan shall
				obtain letters from such nonprofit organizations indicating their involvement in and
				support for the plan, which shall be attached to the plan submitted to the
				Department. Collaboration between two or more nonprofit organizations in preparing a
				plan is encouraged.
(f) Upon completion
				of a draft plan, the nonprofit organization responsible for developing the plan
				shall submit a copy of the draft plan to the municipal clerk, with copies to the
				municipal business administrator and the municipal official responsible for planning
				activities.
(g) The nonprofit
				organization responsible for developing the plan shall provide an opportunity for
				residents, property owners and businesspersons in the neighborhood to comment on the
				draft plan, by making copies available at convenient locations within and close to
				the neighborhood, and by scheduling one or more public meetings or workshops in
				order to solicit comment on the draft plan. The nonprofit organization shall also
				provide convenient means for submission of written comments, including a mailing
				address, fax number and e-mail address.
(h) The plan shall not be finalized until 30 days
				after the draft plan has been submitted to the municipality.
(i) The nonprofit organization responsible for
				developing the plan shall maintain a file with all written comments on the plan
				which it shall provide to the Department upon request.