Building on Governor Murphy’s commitment to fully update New Jersey’s State Plan for the first time since 2001, the State Planning Commission formally adopted a new State Development and Redevelopment Plan at its December 17, 2025 meeting.

The State Development and Redevelopment Plan, developed through collaboration across all levels of government, serves as a guide to inform the public and encourage State agencies, counties, and municipalities to align their land use policies with its vision. It aims to promote a balanced and inclusive strategy for managing and guiding growth across New Jersey, centered on ten key land-use priorities.

“The adoption of a new State Development and Redevelopment Plan provides New Jersey with a clear, modern blueprint that balances economic vitality with environmental stewardship,” said Governor Murphy. “With this historic step, we have set New Jersey on a path for creating healthy, resilient, and affordable communities connected to jobs, recreation, and high-quality transportation.”

“The State Redevelopment Plan lays the foundation for a more inclusive future by creating fairer, more equitable communities for generations to come,” said Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the State Planning Commission in her capacity as Secretary of State.

The Plan’s adoption is the culmination of an extensive outreach effort by the Department of State’s Office of Planning Advocacy, which began in 2023 to develop a preliminary draft plan. After the State Planning Commission approved the publication of the Preliminary Draft Plan in December 2024, the Office of Planning Advocacy embarked on a months-long public comment period, and then followed with a cross acceptance process of comparing municipal, county, and state land-use plans with the State Plan to achieve maximum consistency across all levels of government.

The updated Plan lays out ten goals, including a new focus on environmental justice, and builds upon the State’s ongoing initiatives to address the following areas:

1. Economic Development
2. Housing
3. Infrastructure
4. Revitalization and Re-centering
5. Climate Change
6. Natural and Water Resources
7. Pollution and Environmental Cleanup
8. Historic and Scenic Resources
9. Equity
10. Comprehensive Planning

The updated Plan encourages development and redevelopment while focusing on preserving and protecting the State’s natural resources. It builds on other comprehensive planning efforts like the 2018 report, “The State of Innovation: Building a Stronger and Fairer Economy in New Jersey,” which highlighted investments in people, communities, and innovation.

“New Jersey has a long tradition of thoughtful, forward-looking planning, from safeguarding our natural landscapes and agricultural resources to expanding housing opportunities in every community. With the formal adoption of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan, we are reaffirming that tradition and providing a clear, modern framework to guide sustainable and equitable growth,” said Tom Wright, Chair of the State Planning Commission and President and CEO of the Regional Plan Association. “This milestone will ensure that future generations will have the tools, coordination, and vision needed to support vibrant communities, strong economies, and a healthy environment across our State.”

“Alongside our local government partners, the Department of Environmental Protection plays a leading role in implementing the smart growth mindset of the State Plan while ensuring site-specific consistency with New Jersey's flood safety, water quality, and land resource protection laws,” said Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette. “The updated Plan reflects New Jersey's longstanding commitment to improving environmental quality, public health, and safety as we promote the growth of our communities and economy.”

“The programs and resources provided by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), particularly in the areas of affordable housing and disaster mitigation, are critical to the State’s development and redevelopment strategy. Through initiatives such as NJ Housing Opportunities for Municipal Equity and Success (NJHOMES), Resilient Communities, and the Smart Move Program, we’re helping local governments find innovative ways to create quality housing that is safe and affordable to residents of all income levels and to build public infrastructure that is more resilient to natural disasters like flooding,” said DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “We welcome a State Plan that supports DCA’s mission to help improve the quality of life for New Jersey families. We look forward to doing our part to implement the plan to the benefit of current and future generations of New Jersey residents.”

“Every project we construct at the NJ Department of Transportation (DOT) is built on three values: safety, equity, and sustainability,” said DOT Commissioner Fran O’Connor. “The updated State Development and Redevelopment Plan not only supports these values but also ensures that DOT can provide a transportation system that connects New Jersey’s communities and strengthens our economy. I would like to thank the State Planning Commission for protecting and guiding New Jersey’s future in this plan.”

“The updated State Development and Redevelopment Plan represents an important milestone in New Jersey's commitment to strategic growth and sustainable development,” said NJ Board of Public Utilities President Christine Guhl Sadovy. “The BPU is pleased to support this comprehensive framework and looks forward to collaborating with our partners across state government to advance shared priorities. As we work to modernize New Jersey's infrastructure and expand access to clean energy, this Plan will serve as a valuable guide for ensuring that all communities benefit from these critical investments.”

The development of the updated Plan was guided by the State Planning Commission with support from the Office of Planning Advocacy, located within the New Jersey Business Action Center.

“Getting to Plan adoption has been a multi-year process for our Office,” said Walter Lane, Executive Director of the Office of Planning Advocacy. “In preparing the preliminary draft plan, we spent a great deal of effort in reaching out to stakeholders to get feedback. Once that was approved for release at the end of 2024, our staff spent all of 2025 traveling across the State to hold 22 public meetings and six public hearings in an effort to solicit comments. This Plan is for the benefit of the residents of New Jersey so it was important to hear their voices.”

“I commend the Murphy Administration for this landmark accomplishment. Getting the updated Plan to final adoption was no small undertaking,” said Executive Director of the NJ Business Action Center, Melanie Willoughby. “After all, the State Plan has not been updated since 2001, and not for lack of effort. Now that we have taken this significant step, I anticipate working with our State agency partners and all levels of government in implementing the Plan.”

“The adoption of the State Development and Redevelopment Plan provides a vital roadmap for guiding growth and development that is cost-effective for taxpayers, predictable for businesses and developers, protective of our natural resources, and inclusive of everyone,” said Peter Kasabach, Executive Director of New Jersey Future. “We are encouraged to see priorities like redevelopment, climate change adaptation, reducing reliance on driving, improving our existing infrastructure, and promoting equity front and center. We’re eager to collaborate with our State partners to align policies and investments with the vision outlined in the State Plan.”

To view the State Development and Redevelopment Plan, please click here