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

(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.