New Jersey Future Blog
Governor Signs Bill Improving Municipal Tools for Cluster Development
August 8th, 2013 by Chris Sturm
On Aug. 7, Gov. Christie signed the cluster development bill (A3761/S2608) into law. Now municipalities have better tools to steer development where it makes the most sense, at the same time that they can preserve open space, farmland, and historic sites at little cost to taxpayers.
“Special thanks go to Governor Christie, and to sponsors assemblymen Green and Clifton and senators Van Drew and Oroho, who led the bill to unanimous passage in both houses,” said New Jersey Future senior director of state policy Chris Sturm. “We also especially appreciate the many stakeholders who worked with us to come up with a bill that won support from all quarters. It was a lengthy but important process!”
“We expect the improved cluster tools to produce better development outcomes in New Jersey – more ‘livable places and open spaces’ rather than sprawl development,” added New Jersey Future executive director Peter Kasabach. “We’re looking forward to seeing how municipalities, in partnership with property owners and developers, use the new tools.”
Cluster development can be used in rural, suburban and urban settings. Detailed information on the act and its supporters can be found here. New Jersey Future and its partners are also preparing a municipal toolkit to help interested local officials implement cluster development options.