Opinion ID: 1909441
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: History of the Official Map

Text: The term official map was first used by Basset and Williams in their model County Planning Enabling Act published in 1935. Anderson, Law of Zoning in New Jersey § 24.01 (1989). Although an official map is a precise map, showing the existing and proposed streets, highways, drainage systems, and other public improvements, it is essentially a tool of planning, rather than zoning. An official map does not portray the zoning districts or relate to the zoning plan except insofar as both the zoning scheme and the official map undertake to implement a common plan for the development of land. Ibid. Originally, official maps were regarded as mere descriptions of future plans for public improvements. Their function was one of simple notification. In an early case, the United States Supreme Court explained: The object of the recording of the map is to give notice to all persons of the system of highways proposed to be established by subsequent proceedings of condemnation. It does not restrict in any way the use or improvement of lands by their owners before the commencement of proceedings for condemnation of lands for such highways, nor does it limit the damages to be awarded in such proceedings. [ Bauman v. Ross, 167 U.S. 548, 597, 17 S.Ct. 966, 985, 42 L.Ed. 270, 291 (1897).] Later views, however, have given more authority to the plans proposed in official maps. If an official map were no more than a graphic expression of a plan for future development its legal effect would be negligible and its practical impact might be slight. Anderson, Law of Zoning in New Jersey, supra, at § 24.10. The contemporary view of the official map as a land-use control device thus accords weight to the legal effect of the official map's adoption. The major premise underlying the adoption of the official map is to provide for orderly municipal growth at the least cost to the taxpayer. 6A Powell on Real Property ¶ 874[2] (1990 Supp.). An official map enables a municipality to limit development of lands designated or delineated for future public use and thereby reduce the cost of eventual condemnation and shift some of the cost of public improvements to the developer in connection with the approval process. The purpose of the official map [is] to insure the proper location and economical acquisition of streets ... Anderson, Law of Zoning in New Jersey, supra, at § 24.02. Once an official map is adopted, it may be used to demonstrate a municipality's determination of the location of streets, parks, and other municipal improvements. The legislation enabling municipalities to adopt official maps may provide for sanctions to limit development on the lands on which public facilities are proposed, and establish the official map as a standard for developmental approval. See id. at § 24.06; N.J.S.A. 40:55D-32, -34. However, the official map does not interpose an insuperable barrier to approval of a plat which shows some alteration of streets ... which are shown on such map. Anderson, American Law of Zoning, § 24.08 (1986). [S]treets, highways, parks, and other proposed public improvements shown on the official map do not prevent the platting and dedication or reservation of new streets, highways and parks ... Ibid. A proposed plat may be approved and filed so long as it adds streets and makes changes in mapped streets which serve the overall purpose of the community plan ... Ibid.