A group of bipartisan state and local officials, including Assemblyman Paul Kanitra and several Shore town mayors, called on Mar. 9 for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to halt new land use reforms adopted in January. The officials argue that the rules, known as Resilient Environments and Landscapes, were enacted without proper legislative oversight and could have serious consequences for coastal communities.
The issue is significant because the new standards require buildings in flood-prone areas to be elevated four feet above current Federal Emergency Management Agency base flood elevations. Officials say this will increase construction costs and create challenges for homeowners and businesses along the Jersey Shore.
Kanitra said, “The repercussions and the impacts to our district, considering that we have the most waterfront property in the state, would be severe. Republicans and Democrats alike are concerned about the impacts to homeowners and businesses: the additional massive areas of land that will now be in flood zones, additional height requirements on homes which are unrealistic, and the ADA compliance problems associated with the changes.” He also noted that uncertainty over these rules has led many businesses along the shore to delay or abandon projects.
In a letter sent to Acting Commissioner Ed Potosnak of NJDEP, Kanitra and mayors from towns such as Manasquan, Bay Head, Brick, Brielle, Lavallette, Mantoloking, Point Pleasant Beach, Sea Girt, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park, South Toms River, Island Heights, Spring Lake Heights and others demanded a pause on implementing these regulations until legislative action can take place. The letter described the rule as “an unprecedented and deeply consequential overhaul of development standards that will fundamentally reshape our legislative district and have sweeping consequences for the entire State… [and] will significantly increase construction and redevelopment costs.”
Legal actions have already been initiated by Ocean, Monmouth, and Cape May counties seeking amendments or rescission of these rules. Additionally, both the New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) and New Jersey Builders Association filed appeals against them in Superior Court last week.
Kanitra said in a video with Manasquan Mayor Mike Mangan that lawmakers must consider real-world impacts rather than relying solely on computer models: “When the Legislature does its job…that data must include the total real-world impacts our residents and businesses face in real life.” He added that laws should balance environmental protection with economic vitality.
The NJBIA is recognized as one of the nation’s largest statewide employer associations representing private-sector employers throughout New Jersey according to its official website. The association advances competitive excellence among its members while providing essential information services according to its official website. Michele Siekerka serves as president and chief executive officer according to its official website. NJBIA also facilitates partnerships between businesses, government entities, and academic institutions according to its official website, offering advocacy resources designed to support business prosperity according to its official website.
