The New Jersey State Planning Commission released the Preliminary Draft of the New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan (NJSDRP) on December 6, 2024. The Plan reflects current planning principles in the areas of land use, transportation, housing, environmental protection and enhancement, economic development, provision of public infrastructure, historic preservation, social justice, and adaptation to global climate change.

The release of the Preliminary State Plan also marked the beginning of Cross-Acceptance, a process of comparing statewide planning policies to municipal, county, and regional plans. Middlesex County is serving as the negotiating entity during this process and will work in partnership with our municipalities and other regional entities to seek consensus between local plans and the Preliminary State Plan. Once adopted, the NJSDRP establishes a statewide planning framework that will ensure consistency and coordination between the state and local governments.

The Goals of the updated NJSDRP are to:

1. Promote economic growth that benefits all residents of New Jersey
2. Provide an adequate supply of housing for residents of all ages and incomes in communities of their choosing.
3. Economic opportunity through nation-leading infrastructure
4. Revitalize and recenter the state’s underutilized developed areas
5. Effectively address the adverse impacts of global climate change
6. Protect, maintain, and restore the state’s natural and water resources and ecosystems
7. Protect the environment; prevent and clean up pollution
8. Protect, enhance, and improve access to areas with exceptional archeological, historic, cultural, scenic, open space, and recreational value
9. Implement equitable planning practices to promote thriving communities for all New Jerseyans
10. Foster sound and integrated planning and implementation at all levels statewide

Middlesex County municipalities, residents, businesses and other stakeholders will play a vital role in the Cross-Acceptance Process.  Middlesex County will host three public meetings to solicit input to ensure the public’s interests are represented.

To submit comments on the State Plan, please email them to planning@co.middlesex.nj.us

To access the Preliminary State Plan, click here.

To access the Preliminary State Plan (Citizen's Guide), click here.

To access the On the Draft Preliminary State Development & Redevelopment Plan flyer, click here. 

Upcoming Public Meetings:

For upcoming Public Meetings, click here.