What is Cross-Acceptance?

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. To accomplish this, municipal, county, and regional master plans must be coordinated regionally with each “local vision” of growth taken into consideration during the process. The integration and coordination of our planning efforts at all levels will result in the best use of our energies and fiscal resources.

Who is involved in the cross-acceptance process?

The entities involved in the cross-acceptance process include the State Planning Commission, the Office of Planning Advocacy (including the Negotiating Committee), affiliated state agencies, the Somerset County Planning Board and staff (as the Negotiating Entity), Somerset County agencies (including community colleges, the Utility Authority, Environmental and Historic Commission, Improvement Authority, Housing, Public Works, Engineering, Public Safety, Parks and Recreation, Agricultural Development Board and Board of Agriculture), Somerset County’s municipalities, municipal agencies (including the Board of Education, the Utility Authority, Environmental and Historic Commissions, Planning and Zoning Boards, Public Works, Engineering, Parks and Recreation, Housing, Business Improvement Districts, and Redevelopment Agencies), and regional entities.

How can the general public be involved in the cross-acceptance process?

The public can participate in the cross-acceptance process through the following means:

- Participation in all public meetings, visioning sessions, and outreach
- Submission to the SPC up to 30 days after the last public hearing on the Final State Plan, as well as comments presented during the public comment at regular monthly meetings, and at any public hearings regarding Cross-Acceptance
- Written communication with municipal or county officials involved in the cross-acceptance process
- Comments presented at meetings of the various committees of the SPC
- Participation in advisory committees (N.J.A.C. 15:30-1.6©)

What is the outcome of the cross-acceptance process?

The following documents will be reviewed or completed through the cross-acceptance process: the Preliminary State Development and Redevelopment Plan, the Statements of Agreements and Disagreements, the Draft Final State Plan, the Draft Impact Assessment, the Infrastructure Needs Assessment, and the Final State Plan.

What is Plan Endorsement?

Plan Endorsement is the official recognition of the New Jersey State Planning Commission that a local, county, regional or state agency plan is consistent with The State Plan. For endorsement, plans must be consistent with the goals, policies, and strategies outlined in The State Plan, the State Plan Policy Map, and the application State statues and regulations. Plan Endorsement confers the benefits in the form of technical assistance, state capital investments, priority for state grants and loans, and regulatory changes to facilitate the implementation of the endorsed plan.

What is the outcome of the plan endorsement process?

The adoption of the Final State Plan through the cross-acceptance process will jointly be endorsed through the plan endorsement process.

What is the difference between the cross-acceptance process and the plan endorsement process?

Cross-acceptance will guide participating entities through the macro decisions; where and what not to build and associated statewide policies, toward the micro decisions of Plan Endorsement; the community design and development decisions.

Please submit any questions to the following email: stateplan@co.somerset.nj.us

Last Updated: 01/2025