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Bill

A 5009

Provides "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act" exemption, and clarifies municipal planning or zoning authority, for certain development along commercial corridors in Highlands Region.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by John DiMaio and 1 co-sponsor

The bill creates a targeted exemption from Highlands protections for development along designated commercial corridors in the Highlands Region, while clarifying municipal planning

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 5009

Summary of New Jersey Assembly Bill A-5009 (Session 222)

Title

Provides Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act exemption, and clarifies municipal planning or zoning authority, for certain development along commercial corridors in Highlands Region.

Purpose and intent

  • The bill aims to create a targeted exemption from certain Highlands region protections for specific development activities that occur along designated commercial corridors.
  • It also seeks to clarify the scope of municipal planning or zoning authority within the Highlands Region when applying or implementing these exemptions.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Exemption from Highlands protections for certain commercial-corridor development

    • The bill specifies an exemption related to development activities along commercial corridors located within the Highlands Region.
    • The exemption appears to modify or narrow the application of Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (HWPP Act) requirements for projects meeting defined criteria along these corridors.

  2. Clarification of municipal authority

    • The bill clarifies the extent of municipal planning or zoning authority in relation to the specified exempt development.
    • This may involve confirming or adjusting how local planning boards or governing bodies review, approve, or condition projects along the relevant commercial corridors.

  3. Scope and applicability

    • The exemption is limited to development along particular commercial corridors within the Highlands Region.
    • It does not appear to apply to all Highlands activities but to a subset that meets the bill’s criteria (e.g., type of development, size, location, drainage/land-use characteristics).

  4. Consistency with Highlands protections

    • While creating an exemption for certain projects, the bill is framed within the context of protecting Highlands water resources and planning goals, indicating that safeguards or conditions may still govern the excluded activities to prevent unintended environmental harm.

Who/what is affected

  • Developers and developers’ projects along designated Highlands commercial corridors that would qualify for the exemption.
  • Municipalities and planning officials in Highlands regions who administer zoning and land-use approvals for these corridors.
  • Property owners and businesses located on or near the specified commercial corridors who seek development or redevelopment.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill would become law if enacted and signed (or otherwise enacted under New Jersey legislative procedures).
  • It defines how the exemption interacts with existing HWPP Act provisions and municipal zoning approvals, which may influence approval timelines and required conditions.
  • Any regulatory or administrative updates (rules, forms, or guidance) would likely be developed to implement the exemption and clarify authority.

Additional context

  • The bill lists John DiMaio as a co-sponsor.
  • The exact statutory language would specify the precise corridors, eligibility criteria, conditions or performance standards, and any reporting or oversight requirements tied to the exemption.
  • As with any niche exemption, potential environmental and land-use trade-offs may be examined in committee discussion and during floor consideration.

If you’d like, I can pull the bill’s full text or committee amendments to extract precise eligibility criteria, affected districts, and any reporting or sunset provisions to add to this summary.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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