Builders Denounce New Jersey Anti-Growth Plan
New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey is leading his state into an anti-growth stance that could worsen the state’s housing crisis, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

NAHB strongly supports smart growth, NAHB President Kent Conine wrote in a letter to Gov. McGreevey. But the program the governor put forward in his state of the state address “is the worst sort of no-growth rhetoric masquerading as smart growth.”

From 1990 to 2002, New Jersey’s population grew by more than 840,000 — an increase of 11%. But during that period, New Jersey added just four housing units for every five new households. Over the last year, New Jersey has experienced an 11.79% increase in home prices — the third highest increase among U.S. states, according to the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight.

The policies outlined by the governor fail to account for the current and future needs of the citizens of New Jersey, Conine wrote.

Across the country, there is an emerging consensus about what smart growth means. Smart growth balances the interests of the economy, the environment and social needs, including housing. Every major player in this debate, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to the National Association of Realtors to the Sierra Club, acknowledges the importance of providing a range of housing opportunities and choices for people of all income levels.

Gov. McGreevey’s proposals “give priority to the environment over many social needs, and they fail to recognize the importance of housing to the quality of life of New Jersey’s residents,” according to Conine.

The governor proposes to give local jurisdictions broad authority to impose one-year building moratoria — a power that would enable NIMBY resistance to slow or stop much needed housing. He has also put forth a highly restrictive statewide zoning map that fails to provide adequate land to accommodate the state’s growing population, Conine wrote.

In his letter, Conine challenges Gov. McGreevey to find a more balanced approach to dealing with growth issues in New Jersey. [ return to top ]