Frequently Asked Questions about PlanSmart NJ’s Smart Growth Economy Project
How can these ideas be put into practice when local government controls land
use?
We have found that local officials understand all too clearly that many issues
important to them cannot be addressed locally: traffic, watersheds, even growth
pressure. As long as they have a seat at the regional table, and can opt out
if the process is not to their liking, most responsible local officials understand
that our process could result in improved conditions in their town. Even the
most avid Home Rule advocate wants some protection from their neighbors’ Home
Rule! Our proposals offer a way for each town’s Home Rule actions to
be coordinated to achieve broad, statewide goals that are in adopted policies
and accepted best practice programs.
Why should politicians accept target-based planning that makes them more accountable?
Our proposals were developed with the help of public officials. They knew
that if the system were to be implemented, their accountability would be increased
by matching targets to actions. But the transparency of the process, which
is something that any good government advocate promotes, also helps to provide
an explanation, if needed, as to why a target is not met. For example, if the
target for affordable housing cannot be achieved for fiscal reasons, our process
will make that clear. If a downturn in the economy means that there is less
money to invest in infrastructure, that, too, will be obvious. Transparency
and accountability go hand in hand.
What makes you think that government can do this?
The government must change the track that we are on. No one doubts that New
Jersey is in danger of losing our economy, which will mean no resources to
address the many problems that we face. Even the best efforts of the Governor’s
Office of Economic Growth will not be able to attract enough development if
we do not provide housing affordable to the workforce, reduce auto-dependency
and create mixed-income communities with access to jobs, safe neighborhoods
and good schools everywhere.
What do PlanSmart NJ’s Target Calculators do?
Our Target Calculators offer a particular municipality or region information
about the goals for housing, open space, jobs, transportation and energy (including
the reduction of greenhouse gases) as laid out by state legislation or according
to state agency goals. PlanSmart NJ’s calculators provide a unique way of translating
state goals into regional targets.
What are PlanSmart NJ’s Land Use Scores for?
PlanSmart NJ ranks the geography of a municipality or region for its appropriateness
for growth or conservation. The scores are based on GIS-mapping of natural
resources and the economic attributes of the area. This system helps to measure
housing affordability, transit suitability, who has access to what jobs, and
environmental quality (priority habitats and water resources).
Smart Growth Economy Project Supporters
Cushman & Wakefield of NJ, DMJM + Harris, Educational Testing Service,
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, K. Hovnanian, Matzel & Mumford, The
Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, Merrill Lynch Community Development
Bank, National Association of Industrial and Office Parks, NJ American Water,
New Jersey Business and Industry Association, New Jersey Natural Gas, the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey, PSE&G, TRC Environmental Corporation,
Verizon, and the members of PlanSmart NJ.