Opinion ID: 2365726
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Imposition of Remedial Devices

Text: Obviously, if the municipality fails to submit an adequate remedial plan in a timely manner, or if having done so it fails to faithfully execute that plan, a court will be required to issue stronger remedial measures, either upon application by one of the parties or upon its own motion. In addressing the problem of municipal neglect or recalcitrance, a court may utilize the services and assistance of an independent planning consultant. See Mt. Laurel, supra, 67 N.J. at 217 (Pashman, J., concurring); Pascack Ass'n Ltd. v. Mayor & Council of Washington Tp., supra, 131 N.J. Super. at 201. Cf. Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Bd. of Educ., supra, 402 U.S. at 8, 91 S.Ct. at 1272, 28 L.Ed. 2d at 562; Hartman, supra note 8, 9 Urban L. Ann. at 173; Moskowitz, How to Use Experts Effectively in Land Regulation Proceedings, 3 Real Estate L.J. 359 (1975). In addition, a court should continue to solicit suggestions and comments from the parties in the case. Ultimately, though, it is the responsibility of the court to adopt measures which (so far as reasonably practical) will provide effective relief for plaintiffs and satisfy the objectives listed in Part III (A) supra. Following is a list of affirmative remedies which can be imposed, either by the defendant voluntarily or, if the town defaults in its responsibility, by the court. The list is not intended to be exhaustive. Nor should every measure be adopted in every case. Rather, the list is simply suggestive of what devices might be available to the municipality and to the court in framing a remedial order.