Cross-Acceptance

The New Jersey State Planning Commission (SPC) approved the release of the Preliminary State Development and Redevelopment Plan (Preliminary Plan) along with the State Plan Policy Map on December 4, 2024 (released 12/06/24). The new document will guide state policy on infrastructure and land use, statewide. The Plan will be adopted through the cross-acceptance process and plan endorsement process executed by the SPC. Cross-Acceptance is a process of comparing statewide planning policies at government levels with the purpose of attaining a high level of consistency among municipal, county, regional, and State plans, and the State Plan. The Office of Planning Advocacy under the authority of the New Jersey State Planning Commission created the Cross-Acceptance Manual (Manual) to guide the Negotiating Entity through the cross-acceptance process. 

Somerset County as the Negotiating Entity

On July 9, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Somerset adopted Resolution 24-1300, accepting the role of the Negotiating Entity for the cross-acceptance process in Somerset County. As the Negotiating Entity, the County has agreed to work in partnership with our municipalities and other regional entities, in seeking consensus between local plans and The Preliminary State Plan through negotiations with the Office of Planning Advocacy (OPA) under the authority of the SPC.

Goals of the Preliminary New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan (Preliminary Plan)

1.  Promote economic growth that benefits all residents of New Jersey
2.  Provide an adequate supply of housing for residents of all ages and incomes in communities of their choosing
3.  Support economic opportunity through nation-leading infrastructure
4.  Revitalize and recenter the State’s underutilized developed areas
5.  Effectively address the adverse impacts of global climate change
6.  Protect, maintain, and restore the State’s natural and water resources and ecosystems
7.  Protect the environment by preventing and cleaning up pollution
8.  Protect, enhance, and improve access to areas with exceptional archeological, historic, cultural, scenic, open space, and recreational value
9.  Implement equitable planning practices to promote thriving communities for all New Jersey residents
10.  Foster sound and integrated planning and implementation at all levels statewide

The County encourages participation from the general public during the cross-acceptance process by attending public hearings and through digital communication.

Upcoming Public Hearings

The State Planning Commission is conducting six public hearings for the purpose of receiving testimony on the draft Final New Jersey’s State Development and Redevelopment Plan and the draft Infrastructure Needs Assessment pursuant to the State Planning Act at N.J.S.A. 52:18A-202(c) as set forth in the State Planning Rules N.J.A.C. 15:30-5.2. CLICK HERE for the schedule and additional meeting information. Agendas and status updates will be posted to the NJ Office of Planning Advocacy website HERE.

For more information, please view the Somerset County Cross-Acceptance website below that provides greater detail on the cross-acceptance process.

Somerset County Cross-Acceptance Website

Last Updated: 08/2025