Bill Text: NJ S119 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Revises laws concerning local redevelopment, relocation assistance and eminent domain.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-10 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee [S119 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2012-S119-Introduced.html

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SENATE, No. 119

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

215th LEGISLATURE

 

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2012 SESSION

 

 

Sponsored by:

Senator  RONALD L. RICE

District 28 (Essex)

 

 

 

 

SYNOPSIS

     Revises laws concerning local redevelopment, relocation assistance and eminent domain.

 

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

     Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

  

An Act concerning redevelopment, relocation assistance and eminent domain, and amending and supplementing various parts of the statutory law.

 

Whereas, Article VIII, Section III, paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution empowers the Legislature to authorize municipalities to clear, replan, develop, and redevelop blighted areas; and

Whereas, The Legislature has authorized municipalities to undertake programs to redevelop blighted areas; and

Whereas, Municipalities have used these programs to arrest and reverse blighted conditions to promote sound planning, revitalize tax bases, and improve the public safety, health, and welfare of their communities; and

Whereas, In exercising their responsibilities and implementing redevelopment programs municipalities have exercised the power of eminent domain; and

Whereas, The increase in redevelopment activity throughout the State, including the use of eminent domain, together with the 2005 United States Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. City of New London, Connecticut, 545 U.S. 469 (2005), have heightened the public concern with municipal redevelopment activities; and

Whereas, The Legislature has undertaken a comprehensive review of the redevelopment laws and has convened public meetings and received testimony and correspondence from groups and individuals interested in redevelopment programs, including municipal officials, property owners, developers, and members of the general public; and

Whereas, Following this comprehensive review, the Legislature now declares that redevelopment remains a valid and important public purpose and that the implementation of redevelopment programs continues to be a vital tool for municipal officials that must be maintained to allow them to continue to meet their governmental responsibilities to prevent, arrest, and reverse deleterious property conditions within their municipal borders; and that the power of eminent domain remains necessary in certain cases to effectively implement such redevelopment responsibilities and powers; and

Whereas, Following this comprehensive review, the Legislature also declares that changes to the existing law are necessary:  to ensure that affected property owners and the general public are provided adequate notice of a municipality's interest in developing a redevelopment program; to revise the definition of blight so that it is more specific, more objective, and incorporates terms that have well-established or historical meanings, are capable of third party review, or limit the possibility of very broad and expansive interpretation; to afford stakeholders the opportunity to be heard during the process undertaken to develop redevelopment programs; to add transparency to the exercise of a legitimate governmental function; to create certainty that redevelopment programs are authorized and undertaken in a deliberative and open process; to ensure that the social and economic impacts of redevelopment are adequately addressed, including affordable housing and comparable replacement housing for households displaced by redevelopment; to provide that such programs, once properly adopted, are implemented in a fair and certain manner, including a public process, where appropriate, for the selection of redevelopers seeking the assistance of municipal officials in constructing a redevelopment project on municipally owned or acquired property; to ensure that the use of eminent domain for redevelopment is an absolute last resort, used only after other options have been fully explored and deemed insufficient to reasonably achieve the goals of the redevelopment plan; to provide a just measure of compensation to property owners who are subject to eminent domain; and to afford protection and finality to such redevelopment programs properly created under these heightened standards for enactment.  These changes will restore public confidence in local redevelopment programs by assuring that interested parties are provided access into a fair, open, and deliberative process; and

Whereas, The New Jersey Supreme Court in Gallenthin Realty Development, Inc. v. Borough of Paulsboro, 191 N.J. 344 (2007), has clarified the meaning of the term blight as used in Article VIII, Section III, paragraph 1 of the New Jersey Constitution, which is consistent with the intent of the Legislature to limit the circumstances under which eminent domain can be used; and

Whereas, The Appellate Division of the Superior Court in Harrison Redev. Agency v. DeRose, 398 N.J. Super. 361 (App. Div. 2008) has clarified the "constitutionally-essential components" for notice under the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law," which is consistent with the intent of the Legislature to expand the notice requirements set forth in current law; and

Whereas, The Legislature also: declares that municipalities should be encouraged to engage in redevelopment without resorting to the taking of property by eminent domain, recognizes that increasing procedural requirements to enhance the transparency of the redevelopment process will increase the cost for municipalities to engage in the process, and that it is therefore appropriate to establish alternative types of redevelopment areas, both of which must satisfy the constitutional meaning of the term blight, but which will allow municipalities to pursue redevelopment through more or less costly procedures depending upon whether they want to have the power to exercise eminent domain within the redevelopment area; now, therefore:

 

     Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

     1.  Section 2 of P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-2) is amended to read as follows:

     2.  When used in [this act] P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-1 et seq.), unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires, the following words shall have the meanings ascribed to them under this section:

     (a) "Condemn"  means to take private property for a public purpose under the power of eminent domain;

     (b) "Condemnor" or "prospective condemnor" or "taking agency" means the entity, public or private, including the State of New Jersey, which is condemning or has the power to condemn private property for a public purpose under the power of eminent domain;

     (c) "Condemnee" or "prospective condemnee" means the owner of an interest in the private property [being condemned] subject to potential or actual condemnation for a public purpose under the power of eminent domain;

     (d) "Property"  means land, or any interest in land, and (1) any building,  structure or other improvement imbedded or affixed to land, and any article so affixed or attached to such building, structure or improvement as to be an essential and integral part thereof, (2) any article affixed or attached to  such property in such manner that it cannot be removed without material injury  to itself or to the property, (3) any article so designed, constructed, or specially adapted to the purpose for which such property is used that (a) it is an essential accessory or part of such property;  (b) it is not capable of use  elsewhere;  and (c) would lose substantially all its value if removed from such  property;

     (e) "Court"  means Superior Court of New Jersey;

     (f) "Rules"  means the applicable rules governing the courts of the State of New Jersey as promulgated from time to time by the Supreme Court of New Jersey;

     (g) "Action"  means the legal proceeding in which

     (1) property is being condemned or required to be condemned;

     (2) the amount of compensation to be paid for such condemnation is being fixed;

     (3) the persons entitled to such compensation and their interests therein are being determined; and

     (4) all other matters incidental to or arising therefrom are being adjudicated.

     (h) "Compensation" means the just compensation which the condemnor is required to pay and the condemnee is entitled to receive according to law as the result of the condemnation of property;

     (i) "Award"  means the award of compensation made by the commissioners provided for herein;

     (j) "Judgment"  means the adjudication by the court of any issue of fact or  law, or both, arising under [this act] P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-1 et seq.).  The adjudication of the right to condemn shall be a final judgment.  All other judgments shall be interlocutory or final, according to law, or as may be prescribed by the rules;

     (k) "Recording office"  means the county office of each county in which the  property being condemned, or any part thereof, is located, in which office conveyances of real property may be recorded;

     (l) "Days"  means calendar days, calculated in accordance with the rules of  court;

     (m) "Public utility"  means and includes every public utility, as the same are enumerated in [Revised Statutes] R.S.48:2-13, and every natural gas pipeline utility as defined in P.L.1952, [chapter] c.166 (C.48:10-2 et seq.) vested with  the power of eminent domain and subject to regulation under State or Federal law.

     (n) Words used in the singular shall include the plural and vice versa.  Words used in the neuter gender shall include masculine and feminine gender, as the case may be.

(cf: P.L.1971, c.361, s.2)

 

     2.  Section 6 of P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-6) is amended to read as follows:

     6.  a.  Whenever any condemnor shall have determined to acquire property pursuant to law, including public property already devoted to public purpose, but cannot acquire title thereto or possession thereof by agreement with a prospective condemnee, whether by reason of disagreement concerning the compensation to be paid or for any other cause, the condemnation of such property and the compensation to be paid therefor, and to whom payable, and all matters incidental thereto and arising therefrom shall be governed, ascertained and paid by and in the manner provided by [this act] P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-1 et seq.); provided, however, that no action to condemn shall be instituted unless the condemnor is unable to acquire such title or possession through bona fide negotiations with the prospective condemnee, which negotiations shall include an offer in writing by the condemnor to the prospective condemnee holding the title of record to the property being condemned, setting forth the property and interest therein to be acquired, the compensation offered to be paid and [a reasonable disclosure of the manner in which the amount of such offered compensation has been calculated] a copy  of the appraisal upon which the offer has been based and which was approved by the condemnor, and such other matters as may be required by the rules.

     b.  Prior to such offer the taking agency shall appraise said property and the owner, his agents and consultants shall be given an opportunity to accompany the appraiser and any other non-real estate expert or consultant hired by the condemnor or redeveloper during inspection of the property.  [Such offer] The owner, his agents and consultants may provide to the taking agency's appraiser, other expert or consultant, information or data, or otherwise raise issues of concern, including information concerning outstanding balances on bona fide mortgages, and otherwise raise issues relating to the valuation of the property and damages to the remainder arising from the proposed acquisition.

     c.  (1) The appraiser, redeveloper, and any other non-real estate experts or consultants hired by the redeveloper or taking agency shall transmit to the taking agency, in written form signed by the property owner, all information and issues of concern provided to those persons by the owner and his agents and consultants.

     (2) The approved appraisal shall include any such information in the determination of the estimate of fair market value to the extent that it has an effect, if any, upon fair market value as permitted by law and shall reflect value attributable to the location of the property including benefits that accrue to a business as a result of proximity to favorable pedestrian, mass transportation, or vehicular traffic.

     (3) If the owner declines to sign the written information and issues of concern, the appraiser, redeveloper, or other non-real estate experts or consultants, as appropriate, shall send a confirming letter to that effect to the taking agency, with a copy to the property owner by certified mail, return receipt requested.  The confirming letter shall satisfy the requirements of this section.

     d.  (1) The value of the property reflected in the written offer shall constitute a summation of all the values of all the separate interests in the property.

     (2) Prospective condemnees who do not hold the title of record to the property being condemned, including but not limited to holders of an interest in land, improvements, machinery, or equipment, and who claim entitlement to all or some part of the condemnation proceeds, may present non-cumulative proofs, but only to the extent of their respective interests, not for a separate valuation thereof, and only to the extent necessary to insure that their value is considered.  Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring a condemnor to negotiate with or to tender a written offer to a prospective condemnee who does not hold the title of record to the property being condemned.

     (3) Any provision of a lease or other agreement, entered into after the effective date of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) terminating a leasehold or other property interest in the event of condemnation of the property is waived and shall be deemed against public policy and void.  Despite a lease provision or contractual waiver to the contrary entered into after the effective date of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), a tenant shall be entitled to an allocation for the value of its leasehold, including capital improvements, machinery, and equipment that cannot be relocated, from the award of the value of the fee interest.

     e.  The written offer made by a condemnor to a prospective condemnee holding record title to the property shall be served by certified mail, return receipt requested, by a private courier, or in person along with a copy of the approved appraisal.  In no event shall such offer be less than the taking agency's approved appraisal of the fair market value of such property.  [A rejection of said offer or failure to accept the same within the period fixed in written offer, which shall in no case be less than 14 days from the mailing of the offer, shall]

   f.  (1) The prospective condemnee shall be afforded 45 calendar days from receipt of the written offer to review the offer and the approved appraisal upon which the offer was based, to seek clarification thereof as well as any other relevant information, to allow an opportunity to negotiate the compensation to be paid, and to request an opportunity to discuss the offer and the basis thereof with a representative of the condemnor in person.

     (2) Prior to the expiration of this 45-day period, the prospective condemnee may request, in writing, an extension of this 45-day period for a period not exceeding an additional 25 days, for a total of 70 calendar days, which shall not be denied except for good cause shown by the condemnor.  During this period, as it may be extended, the prospective condemnee may seek additional relevant information regarding the offer or regarding the project.

     (3) Within the time period, as may be extended, the condemnor shall provide reasonable and timely responses to requests for information and for explanations and shall afford an opportunity for the condemnee to meet in person on at least one occasion with a representative of the condemnor to discuss the offer and the basis thereof.

     (4) The prospective condemnee may also obtain its own appraisal and share it with the prospective condemnor and seek a review thereof by the prospective condemnor.

     (5) If the prospective condemnee rejects the written offer of the condemnor or otherwise does not affirmatively respond to the offer, the condemnor may then send in writing by certified mail, private courier, or in person, a letter setting forth an intent to commence condemnation proceedings in the Superior Court.  Such letter, upon receipt, shall conclude bona fide negotiations between the prospective condemnor and condemnee.

     (6) A disagreement over the amount of the offer, how the offer was calculated, or the method or manner in which the property was appraised shall not constitute grounds to continue negotiations or prevent the condemnor from successfully acquiring the property through the commencement of a condemnation proceeding and the appointment of condemnation commissioners.

     g.  Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a condemnor to increase the amount of an offer during the review and negotiation period.

     h.  A condemnor may file a complaint for condemnation in the manner provided by the Rules of Court anytime after expiration of the initial review and negotiation period, including any extension thereof, all as provided for in this section, without the consent of the prospective condemnee, provided the condemnor is otherwise empowered to exercise the power of eminent domain and the condemnor has complied with the provisions of this section.

     i.  Proof of the delivery of a written offer and a copy of the approved appraisal and the delivery of a letter of intent at the expiration of the negotiation period as set forth above, shall be deemed to be conclusive proof [of the] that bona fide negotiations were, in fact, conducted by the condemnor with the prospective condemnee and that there was an inability on the part of the condemnor and prospective condemnee to agree to the compensation to [acquire the property or possession thereof  through negotiations] obtain title and possession to the property sought to be acquired other than by filing an action in condemnation.

     j.  When the holder of the title is unknown, [resides out of  the State,] or for other good cause, the court, upon application by motion pursuant to the Rules of Court, may dispense with the necessity of such negotiations.

     k.  Neither the offer or the amount thereof, nor the refusal thereof by the prospective condemnee shall be evidential in the determination of compensation.

(cf: P.L.1971, c. 361, s. 6)

 

     3.  Section 3 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-3) is amended to read as follows:

     3.  As used in this act the term:

     a.  "Taking agency" or "acquiring agency" means the entity, public or private, including the State of New Jersey, which is condemning or otherwise acquiring private property for a public purpose [under the power of eminent domain].

     b.  "Person"  means any individual, partnership, corporation, or association.

     c.  "Displaced person"  means any person who, on or after the effective date of this act, moves from real property, or moves his personal property from  real property, as a result of the acquisition of such real property, in whole or in part, or as the result of the written order of the acquiring agency to  vacate real property, for a program or project undertaken by a taking agency; and solely for the purposes of [sections 4] subsections a. and b. of section 4 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-7) and section 7 of [this act] P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-4),  as a result of the acquisition of or as the result of the written order of the  acquiring agency to vacate other real property, on which such person conducts a  business or farm operation, for such program or project.

     d.  "Business"  means any lawful activity, excepting a farm operation, conducted primarily:

     (1) for the purchase, sale, lease and rental of personal and real property,  and for the manufacture, processing, or marketing of products, commodities, or  any other personal property;

     (2) for the sale of services to the public;

     (3) by a nonprofit organization;  or

     (4) solely for the purposes of [section 4] subsection a. of [this act] section 4 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-4) for assisting in the purchase, sale, resale, manufacture, processing, or marketing of products, commodities, personal property, or services by the erection and maintenance of an outdoor advertising display or displays, whether or not such display or displays are located on the premises on which any of the above activities are conducted.

     e.  "Farm operation"  means any activity conducted solely or primarily for  the production of one or more agricultural products or commodities, including timber, for sale or home use, and customarily producing such products or commodities in sufficient quantity to be capable of contributing materially to the operator's support.

     f.  [The term "commissioner"] "Commissioner" [shall mean] means the Commissioner of [the Department of] Community Affairs.

     g.  "Living on a fixed income" means receiving no steady income other than through pension, social security, public assistance, or other government benefits, which income does not exceed the applicable moderate regional income limits established by the Council on Affordable Housing.

(cf: P.L.1971, c.362, s.3)

     4.  Section 4 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-4) is amended to read as follows.

     4.  a.  If a taking agency acquires real property for public use, it shall make fair and reasonable relocation payments to displaced persons and businesses as required by [this act] P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-1 et seq.), for:

     (1) actual reasonable expenses in moving himself, his family, business, farm operation, or other personal property;

     (2) actual direct losses of tangible personal property as a result of moving or discontinuing a business or farm operation, but not to exceed an amount equal to the reasonable expenses that would have been required to relocate such property, as determined by the taking agency; and

     (3) actual reasonable expenses in searching for a replacement business or farm.

     b.  Any displaced person eligible for payments under subsection a. of this section who is displaced from a dwelling and who elects to accept the payments authorized by this subsection in lieu of the payments authorized by subsection a. of this section may receive a moving expense allowance, determined according to a schedule established by the taking agency, not to exceed [$300.00] $450, provided that on the first day of the 12th month next following enactment of P.L.     , c.   (C.       ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the moving expense allowance shall be increased to an amount not to exceed $900, and further increased on the first day of the 24th month next following enactment of P.L.    , c.   (C.       ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), to an amount not to exceed $1,350, and a dislocation allowance of [$200.00] $300, provided that on the first day of the 12th month next following enactment of P.L.    , c.   (C.       ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the dislocation allowance shall be $600, and on the first day of the 24th month next following enactment of P.L.     , c.    (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), that allowance shall be $900 provided, however, such amounts shall be adjusted annually in accordance with section 8 of P.L.     , c.    (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

     c.  Any displaced person eligible for payments under subsection a. of this section who is displaced from his place of business or from his farm operation and who elects to accept the payment authorized by this subsection in lieu of the payment authorized by subsection a. of this section, may receive a fixed payment in an amount equal to the average annual net earnings of the business or farm operation, except that such payment shall not be less than [$2,500.00] $3,750, provided that on the first day of the 12th month next following enactment of P.L.     , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the payment shall not be less than $7,500, and on the first day of the 24th month next following enactment of P.L.     , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the payment shall not be less than $11,250 nor shall such payment be more than [$10,000.00] $15,000, provided on the first day of the 12th month next following enactment of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the payment shall not be more than $22,500, and on the first day of the 24th month next following enactment of P.L.     , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the payment shall not be  more than $45,000 provided, however, such amounts shall be adjusted annually in accordance with section 8 of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).  In the case of a business no payment shall be made under this subsection unless the taking agency is satisfied that the business (1) cannot be relocated without a substantial loss of its existing patronage, and (2) is not a part of a commercial enterprise having at least one other establishment not being acquired by the taking agency, which is engaged in the same or similar business.  The business owner shall have the right to appeal this decision in court.  For purposes of this subsection, the term "average annual net earnings," means 1/2 of any net earnings of the business or farm operation, before Federal, State, and local income taxes, during the 2 taxable years immediately preceding the taxable year in which such business or farm operation moves from the real property acquired or leased for such project, or during such other period as such agency determines to be more equitable for establishing such earnings, and includes any compensation paid by the business or farm operation to the owner, his spouse, or his dependents during such period.

(cf: P.L.1971, c.362, s.4)

 

     5.  Section 5 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-5) is amended to read as follows:

     5.  a.  In addition to payments otherwise authorized by [this act] P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-1 et seq.), the taking agency shall make an additional payment not in excess of [$15,000.00] $22,500, provided that on the first day of the 12th month next following enactment of P.L.     , c.     (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the additional payment shall not be in excess of $45,000, and on the first day of the 24th month next following enactment of P.L.     , c.     (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the additional payment shall not be in excess of $67,500, to any displaced person who is displaced from a dwelling actually owned and occupied by such displaced person for not less than 180 days prior to the initiation of negotiations for the acquisition of the property; provided, however, such amounts shall be adjusted annually in accordance with section 8 of P.L.     , c.     (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).  Such additional payment shall include the following elements:

     (1) The amount, if any, which when added to the acquisition cost of the dwelling acquired, equals the reasonable cost of a comparable replacement dwelling which is a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling adequate to accommodate such displaced person, reasonably accessible to public services and places of employment and available on the private market.  All determinations required to carry out this subparagraph shall be determined by regulations issued pursuant  to section 10 of [this act] P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-10).

     (2) The amount, if any, which will compensate such displaced person for any  increased interest costs which such person is required to pay for financing the acquisition of any such comparable replacement dwelling.  Such amount shall be paid only if the dwelling acquired was encumbered by a bona fide mortgage which was a valid lien on such dwelling for not less than 180 days prior to the initiation of negotiations for the acquisition of such dwelling.  Such amount  shall be equal to the excess in the aggregate interest and other debt service  costs of that amount of the principal of the mortgage on the replacement dwelling which is equal to the unpaid balance of the mortgage on the acquired  dwelling, over the remainder term of the mortgage on the acquired dwelling, reduced to discounted present value.  The discount rate shall be determined by regulations issued pursuant to section 10 of [this act] P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-10).

     (3) Reasonable expenses incurred by such displaced person for evidence of title, recording fees, and other closing costs incident to the purchase of the replacement dwelling, but not including prepaid expenses.

     (4) Penalty costs for prepayment of any mortgage entered into in good faith  encumbering such real property if such mortgage is on record or has been filed for record as provided by law on the date of approval by taking agency of the location of such project.

     (5) The pro rata portion of real property taxes payable during the calendar  year in which the property was acquired which are allocable to the period of the year subsequent to the date of vesting of title in the taking agency, or the effective date of the possession of such real property by the taking  agency, whichever is earlier.

     b.  The additional payment authorized by this section shall be made only to such a displaced person who purchases and occupies a replacement dwelling which is decent, safe, and sanitary not later than the end of the one year period beginning on the date on which he receives final payment of all costs of the acquired dwelling, or on the date on which he moves from the acquired dwelling, whichever is the later date.

(cf: P.L.1971, c.362, s.5)

     6.  Section 6 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-6) is amended to read as follows:

     6.  In addition to amounts otherwise authorized by [this act] P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-1 et seq.), a taking agency shall make a payment to or for any displaced person displaced from any dwelling not eligible to receive a payment under section 5 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-5) which dwelling was actually and lawfully occupied by such displaced person for not less than 90 days prior to the initiation of negotiations for acquisition of such dwelling.  Such payment shall be either:

     a.  the amount necessary [to enable], that when added to the amount the displaced person pays to rent the dwelling he is being displaced from, would enable such displaced person to lease or rent for a period not to exceed [4] five years, a decent, safe, sanitary, and comparable replacement dwelling of standards adequate to accommodate such person in areas not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities and public and commercial facilities, and reasonably accessible to his place of employment [, but not to exceed $4,000.00] but not to exceed $9,000, provided that on the first day of the 12th month next following enactment of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the amount shall be increased not to exceed $15,000, and further increased on the first day of the 24th month next following enactment of P.L.    , c.   (C.     ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), not to exceed $21,000, provided, however, such amounts shall be adjusted annually in accordance with section 8 of P.L.    , c.   (C.     ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), and provided further that persons living on a fixed income who are displaced because of a redevelopment project undertaken pursuant to the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law," P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et seq.) shall also be entitled to receive rental assistance pursuant to P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1 et seq.); or

     b.  the amount necessary to enable such person to make a downpayment (including incidental expenses described in paragraph (3) of subsection a. of section 5 [a. (3)] of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-5)) on the purchase of a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling of standards adequate to accommodate such persons in areas not generally less desirable in regard to public utilities and public and commercial facilities, [but not to exceed $4,000.00] up to $6,000.  On the first day of the 12th month next following enactment of P.L.     , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the maximum permitted amount shall be $12,000.  On the first day of the 24th month next following enactment of P.L.    , c.   (C.     ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the maximum permitted amount shall be $18,000.  Of those phased-in maximum amounts, the first [$2,000.00 of which is to] $3,000, $6,000, and $9,000 respectively, shall be paid without contribution from the displaced person, but thereafter such payments will only be made on a matching dollar-for-dollar basis with the displaced person; provided, however, all such amounts in this section shall be adjusted annually in accordance with section 8 of P.L.    , c.   (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

(cf: P.L.1971, c.362, s.6)

 

     7.  Section 7 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-7) is amended to read as follows:

     7.  a.  Whenever the acquisition of real property for a program or project undertaken by a taking agency will result in the displacement of any person on or after the effective date of this section, such agency shall provide a relocation assistance advisory program for displaced persons which shall offer the services prescribed herein.  If the taking agency determines that any person occupying property immediately adjacent to the real property acquired is caused substantial economic injury because of the acquisition, it may offer such person relocation advisory services under such program.

     b.    Each relocation assistance program required by subsection a. shall include such measures, facilities, or services as may be necessary or appropriate in order (1) to determine the needs of displaced persons, business concerns, and nonprofit organizations for relocation assistance; (2) to assist owners of displaced business and farm operations in obtaining and becoming established in suitable business locations or replacement farms; (3) to supply information concerning programs of the Federal, State and local governments offering assistance to displaced persons and business concerns; (4) to assist in minimizing hardships to displaced persons in adjusting to relocation; and (5) to secure, to the greatest extent practicable, the coordination of relocation activities with other project activities and other planned or proposed governmental actions in the community or nearby areas which may affect the carrying out of the relocation program.

     c.  Each relocation assistance program required by subsection a. of this section shall specifically include provisions for notice of credit counseling services by credit counselors approved by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, for persons being displaced from residential units.  The program shall ensure that those persons being displaced from residential units receive adequate written notice of the availability of the credit counseling services in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Commissioner of Community Affairs.

(cf: P.L.1971, c.362, s.7)

 

     8.  (New section)  Beginning on the first day of the 36th month next following enactment of P.L.    , c.   (pending before the Legislature as this bill) all payment amounts set forth in sections 4 through 6 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-4 through 20:4-6), shall be annually automatically adjusted on the basis of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S. City Average, published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, using the last published index figure as of the date of displacement as the numerator and the index figure for the month in which P.L.     , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) becomes effective as the denominator.

 

     9.  Section 22 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-22) is amended to read as follows:

     22.  The provisions of this act shall not apply to the State Department of Transportation or the New Jersey Transit Corporation; provided, however, that the State Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Transit Corporation shall supplement its existing relocation assistance program designed to minimize the hardships of persons and business concerns displaced as a result  of the acquisition by said State Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Transit Corporation of any real  property for a public use, by July 1, 1972. Said supplemented program shall be in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration relating to relocation assistance so as to fully qualify the Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Transit Corporation for Federal aid reimbursement and to equal or exceed the requirements of this statute.  For purposes of coordinating and  formulating uniform relocation programs of the State, the Commissioner of  Transportation shall consult with the Commissioner of the Department of  Community Affairs in order that said relocation assistance program will be in  general conformity with any rules and regulations promulgated by the  Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs pursuant to P.L. 91-646, the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, and amendments thereto.

     The Commissioner of Transportation shall have the right and authority to promulgate regulations appropriate for the relocation programs of both the State Department of Transportation and the New Jersey Transit Corporation.  The Department of Transportation shall act as the lead entity with regard to relocation appeals.

(cf: P.L.1971, c.362, s.22)

 

     10.  Section 19 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-28) is amended to read as follows:

     19.  Preparation; contents; modification.  a.  The planning board may prepare and, after public hearing, adopt or amend a master plan or component parts thereof, to guide the use of lands within the municipality in a manner which protects public health and safety and promotes the general welfare.

     b.  The master plan shall generally comprise a report or statement and land use and development proposals, with maps, diagrams and text, presenting, at least the following elements (1) and (2) and, where appropriate, the following elements (3) through [(16)] (17):

     (1) A statement of objectives, principles, assumptions, policies and standards upon which the constituent proposals for the physical, economic and social development of the municipality are based;

     (2) A land use plan element (a) taking into account and stating its relationship to the statement provided for in paragraph (1) hereof, and other master plan elements provided for in paragraphs (3) through  [(14)] (17) hereof and natural conditions, including, but not necessarily limited to, topography, soil conditions, water supply, drainage, flood plain areas, marshes, and woodlands; (b) showing the existing and proposed location, extent and intensity of development of land to be used in the future for varying types of residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, recreational, educational and other public and private purposes or combination of purposes; and stating the relationship thereof to the existing and any proposed zone plan and zoning ordinance; and (c) showing the existing and proposed location of any airports and the boundaries of any airport safety zones delineated pursuant to the "Air Safety and Zoning Act of 1983," P.L.1983, c.260 (C.6:1-80 et al.); and (d) including a statement of the standards of population density and development intensity recommended for the municipality;

     (3) A housing plan element pursuant to section 10 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-310), including, but not limited to, residential standards and proposals for the construction and improvement of housing;

     (4) A circulation plan element showing the location and types of facilities for all modes of transportation required for the efficient movement of people and goods into, about, and through the municipality, taking into account the functional highway classification system of the Federal Highway Administration and the types, locations, conditions and availability of existing and proposed transportation facilities, including air, water, road and rail;

     (5) A utility service plan element analyzing the need for and showing the future general location of water supply and distribution facilities, drainage and flood control facilities, sewerage and waste treatment, solid waste disposal and provision for other related utilities, and including any storm water management plan required pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1981, c.32 (C.40:55D-93 et al.).  If a municipality prepares a utility service plan element as a condition for adopting a development transfer ordinance pursuant to subsection c. of section 4 of P.L.2004, c.2 (C.40:55D-140), the plan element shall address the provision of utilities in the receiving zone as provided thereunder;

     (6) A community facilities plan element showing the existing and proposed location and type of educational or cultural facilities, historic sites, libraries, hospitals, firehouses, police stations and other related facilities, including their relation to the surrounding areas;

     (7) A recreation plan element showing a comprehensive system of areas and public sites for recreation;

     (8) A conservation plan element providing for the preservation, conservation, and utilization of natural resources, including, to the extent appropriate, energy, open space, water supply, forests, soil, marshes, wetlands, harbors, rivers and other waters, fisheries, endangered or threatened species wildlife and other resources, and which systemically analyzes the impact of each other component and element of the master plan on the present and future preservation, conservation and utilization of those resources;

     (9) An economic plan element considering all aspects of economic development and sustained economic vitality, including (a) a comparison of the types of employment expected to be provided by the economic development to be promoted with the characteristics of the labor pool resident in the municipality and nearby areas and (b) an analysis of the stability and diversity of the economic development to be promoted;

     (10) An historic preservation plan element: (a) indicating the location and significance of historic sites and historic districts; (b) identifying the standards used to assess worthiness for historic site or district identification; and (c) analyzing the impact of each component and element of the master plan on the preservation of historic sites and districts;

     (11) Appendices or separate reports containing the technical foundation for the master plan and its constituent elements;

     (12) A recycling plan element which incorporates the State Recycling Plan goals, including provisions for the collection, disposition and recycling of recyclable materials designated in the municipal recycling ordinance, and for the collection, disposition and recycling of recyclable materials within any development proposal for the construction of 50 or more units of single-family residential housing or 25 or more units of multi-family residential housing and any commercial or industrial development proposal for the utilization of 1,000 square feet or more of land;

     (13) A farmland preservation plan element, which shall include: an inventory of farm properties and a map illustrating significant areas of agricultural land; a statement showing that municipal ordinances support and promote agriculture as a business; and a plan for preserving as much farmland as possible in the short term by leveraging moneys made available by P.L.1999, c.152 (C.13:8C-1 et al.) through a variety of mechanisms including, but not limited to, utilizing option agreements, installment purchases, and encouraging donations of permanent development easements;

     (14) A development transfer plan element which sets forth the public purposes, the locations of sending and receiving zones and the technical details of a development transfer program based on the provisions of section 5 of P.L.2004, c.2 (C.40:55D-141);

     (15) An educational facilities plan element which incorporates the purposes and goals of the "long-range facilities plan" required to be submitted to the Commissioner of Education by a school district pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2000, c.72 (C.18A:7G-4); [and]

     (16) A green buildings and environmental sustainability plan element, which shall provide for, encourage, and promote the efficient use of natural resources and the installation and usage of renewable energy systems; consider the impact of buildings on the local, regional and global environment; allow ecosystems to function naturally; conserve and reuse water; treat storm water on-site; and optimize climatic conditions through site orientation and design; and

     (17) A redevelopment plan element identifying all areas that have been designated redevelopment areas, or areas in need of rehabilitation in the municipality, as well as additional areas that may be so designated in the future, the goals and objectives of projected redevelopment activities in those areas during the time period covered by the master plan, the manner in which those activities further the social, economic, and physical improvement of the municipality, and the manner in which redevelopment activities are linked to other activities being carried out by the municipality pursuant to the municipal master plan, including improvements to infrastructure, transportation improvements, and the construction of public and community facilities.

     c.  The master plan and its plan elements may be divided into subplans and subplan elements projected according to periods of time or staging sequences.

     d.  The master plan shall include a specific policy statement indicating the relationship of the proposed development of the municipality, as developed in the master plan to (1) the master plans of contiguous municipalities, (2) the master plan of the county in which the municipality is located, (3) the State Development and Redevelopment Plan adopted pursuant to the "State Planning Act," sections 1 through 12 of P.L.1985, c.398 (C.52:18A-196 et seq.) and (4) the district solid waste management plan required pursuant to the provisions of the "Solid Waste Management Act," P.L.1970, c.39 (C.13:1E-1 et seq.) of the county in which the municipality is located.

     In the case of a municipality situated within the Highlands Region, as defined in section 3 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-3), the master plan shall include a specific policy statement indicating the relationship of the proposed development of the municipality, as developed in the master plan, to the Highlands regional master plan adopted pursuant to section 8 of P.L.2004, c.120 (C.13:20-8).

(cf: P.L. 2008, c.54, s.1)

 

     11.  Section 3 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-3) is amended to read as follows: 

     3.  As used in this act:

     "Bonds" means any bonds, notes, interim certificates, debentures or other obligations issued by a municipality, county, redevelopment entity, or housing authority pursuant to P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.).

     "Comparable, affordable replacement housing" means newly-constructed or substantially rehabilitated housing to be offered to a household being displaced as a result of a redevelopment project, that is affordable to that household based on its income under the guidelines established by the Council on Affordable Housing in the Department of Community Affairs for maximum affordable sales prices or maximum fair market rents, and that is comparable to the household's dwelling in the redevelopment area with respect to the size and amenities of the dwelling unit, the quality of the neighborhood, and the level of public services and facilities offered by the municipality in which the redevelopment area is located.

     "Condemnation redevelopment area" means a redevelopment area in which a redevelopment entity can exercise all of the powers set forth in section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8) including the power of eminent domain.

     "Contamination" means any discharged hazardous substance as defined pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1976, c.141 (C.58:10-23.11b), hazardous waste as defined pursuant to section 1 of P.L.1976, c.99 (C.13:1E-38), or pollutant as defined pursuant to section 3 of P.L.1977, c.74 (C.58:10A-3).

     "Development" means the division of a parcel of land into two or more parcels, the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any building or other structure, or of any mining, excavation or landfill, and any use or change in the use of any building or other structure, or land or extension of use of land, for which permission may be required pursuant to the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.).

     "Governing body" means the body exercising general legislative powers in a county or municipality according to the terms and procedural requirements set forth in the form of government adopted by the county or municipality.

     "Housing authority" means a housing authority created or continued pursuant to this act. 

     "Housing project" means a project, or distinct portion of a project, which is designed and intended to provide decent, safe and sanitary dwellings, apartments or other living accommodations for persons of low and moderate income; such work or undertaking may include buildings, land, equipment, facilities and other real or personal property for necessary, convenient or desirable appurtenances, streets, sewers, water service, parks, site preparation, gardening, administrative, community, health, recreational, educational, welfare or other purposes.  The term "housing project" also may be applied to the planning of the buildings and improvements, the acquisition of property, the demolition of existing structures, the construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair of the improvements and all other work in connection therewith.

     "Non-condemnation redevelopment area" means a redevelopment area in which a redevelopment entity can exercise all of the powers set forth in section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8) except for the power of condemnation as set forth in subsection c. of that section.

     "Persons of low and moderate income" means persons or families who are, in the case of State assisted projects or programs, so defined by the Council on Affordable Housing in the Department of Community Affairs, or in the case of federally assisted projects or programs, defined as of "low and very low income" by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

     "Public body" means the State or any county, municipality, school district, authority or other political subdivision of the State. 

     "Public housing" means any housing for persons of low and moderate income owned by a municipality, county, the State or the federal government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof. 

     "Publicly assisted housing" means privately owned housing which receives public assistance or subsidy, which may be grants or loans for construction, reconstruction, conservation, or rehabilitation of the housing, or receives operational or maintenance subsidies either directly or through rental subsidies to tenants, from a federal, State or local government agency or instrumentality. 

     "Real property" means all lands, including improvements and fixtures thereon, and property of any nature appurtenant thereto or used in connection therewith, and every estate, interest and right, legal or equitable, therein, including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage or otherwise, and indebtedness secured by such liens. 

     "Redeveloper" means any person, firm, corporation or public body that shall enter into or propose to enter into a contract with a municipality or other redevelopment entity for the redevelopment or rehabilitation of an area in need of redevelopment, or an area in need of rehabilitation, or any part thereof, under the provisions of [this act] P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.), or for any construction or other work forming part of a redevelopment or rehabilitation project. 

     "Redevelopment" means clearance, replanning, development and redevelopment; the conservation and rehabilitation of any structure or improvement, the construction and provision for construction of residential, commercial, industrial, public or other structures and the grant or dedication of spaces as may be appropriate or necessary in the interest of the general welfare for streets, parks, playgrounds, or other public purposes, including recreational and other facilities incidental or appurtenant thereto, in accordance with a redevelopment plan. 

     "Redevelopment agency" means a redevelopment agency created pursuant to subsection a. of section 11 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-11) or established heretofore pursuant to the "Redevelopment Agencies Law," P.L.1949, c.306 (C.40:55C-1 et al.), repealed by this act, which has been permitted in accordance with the provisions of [this act] P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.) to continue to exercise its redevelopment functions and powers. 

     "Redevelopment area" or "area in need of redevelopment" means an area determined to be in need of redevelopment pursuant to sections 5 and 6 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-5 and 40A:12A-6) prior to the effective date of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and also applies to condemnation redevelopment areas and non-condemnation redevelopment areas, as defined in this section, or determined heretofore to be a "blighted area" pursuant to P.L.1949, c.187 (C.40:55-21.1 et seq.) repealed by [this act] section 59 of P.L.1992, c.79, both determinations as made pursuant to the authority of Article VIII, Section III, paragraph 1 of the Constitution.  [A redevelopment area may include lands, buildings, or improvements which of themselves are not detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare, but the inclusion of which is found necessary, with or without change in their condition, for the effective redevelopment of the area of which they are a part.]  Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any reference contained in another law to a "redevelopment area" or an "area in need of redevelopment" as defined in this section or any use of the term "redevelopment area" or "area in need of redevelopment" for the purpose of empowering an entity to exercise the power of eminent domain within an area that has been determined to be in need of redevelopment after the effective date of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the power of eminent domain may only be used in that area if it is a condemnation redevelopment area.

     "Redevelopment entity" means a municipality or an entity authorized by the governing body of a municipality pursuant to subsection c. of section 4 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-4) to implement redevelopment plans and carry out redevelopment projects in an area in need of redevelopment, or in an area in need of rehabilitation, or in both. 

     "Redevelopment plan" means a plan adopted by the governing body of a municipality for the redevelopment or rehabilitation of all or any part of a redevelopment area, or an area in need of rehabilitation, which plan shall be sufficiently complete to indicate its relationship to definite municipal objectives as to appropriate land uses, public transportation and utilities, recreational and municipal facilities, and other public improvements; and to indicate proposed land uses and building requirements in the redevelopment area or area in need of rehabilitation, or both. 

     "Redevelopment project" means any work or undertaking pursuant to a redevelopment plan; such undertaking may include any buildings, land, including demolition, clearance or removal of buildings from land, equipment, facilities, or other real or personal properties which are necessary, convenient, or desirable appurtenances, such as but not limited to streets, sewers, utilities, parks, site preparation, landscaping, and administrative, community, health, recreational, educational, and welfare facilities. 

     "Rehabilitation" means an undertaking, by means of the enlargement, extensive repair, reconstruction or renovation of existing structures, or the demolition of existing structures with [or without] the introduction of new construction [or the enlargement of existing structures,] in any area that has been determined to be in need of rehabilitation or redevelopment, to eliminate substandard structural or housing conditions and arrest the deterioration of that area. 

     "Rehabilitation area" or "area in need of rehabilitation" means any area determined to be in need of rehabilitation pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-14).

(cf:  P.L.2008, c.46, s.1)

 

     12.  Section 4 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-4) is amended to read as follows:

     4.  In exercising the redevelopment and rehabilitation functions provided for in this act: 

     a.  A municipal governing body shall have the power to:

     (1) Cause a preliminary investigation to be made pursuant to subsection a. of section 6 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-6) or subsection a. of section 15 of P.L.    , c.    (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) as to whether an area is in need of redevelopment; 

     (2) Determine pursuant to subsection b. of section 6 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-6) or subsection b. of section 15 of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) that an area is in need of redevelopment; 

     (3) Adopt a redevelopment plan pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-7) and, if applicable, the provisions of section 18 of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill); 

     (4) Determine pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-14) that an area is in need of rehabilitation. 

     b.  A municipal planning board shall have the power to:

     (1) Conduct, when authorized by the municipal governing body, a preliminary investigation and hearing and make a recommendation pursuant to subsection b. of section 6 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-6) or subsection b. of section 15 of P.L.    , c.   (C.     ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) as to whether an area is in need of redevelopment; 

     (2) Make recommendations concerning a redevelopment plan pursuant to subsection e. of section 7 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-7), or prepare a redevelopment plan pursuant to subsection f. of that section[.]; 

     (3) Make recommendations concerning the determination of an area in need of rehabilitation pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-14). 

     c.  The municipality shall be responsible for implementing redevelopment plans and carrying out redevelopment projects pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8).  The municipality may execute these responsibilities directly, or in addition thereto or in lieu thereof, [through] may designate by ordinance either a municipal redevelopment agency, or a municipal housing authority authorized to exercise redevelopment powers pursuant to section 21 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-21), but there shall be only one redevelopment entity responsible for each redevelopment project.  A county improvement authority authorized to undertake redevelopment projects pursuant to the "county improvement authorities law," P.L.1960, c.183 (C.40:37A-44 et seq.) or the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority, established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1996, c.62 (C.55:19-23) may also act as a redevelopment entity for a redevelopment project if designated by ordinance of the municipality pursuant to this act.  Within a municipality that has been designated the capital of the State, the Capital City Redevelopment Corporation, established pursuant to P.L.1987, c.58 (C.52:9Q-9 et seq.) may also act as a redevelopment entity pursuant to P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.).  The redevelopment entity, so authorized, may contract with any other public body, in accordance with the provisions of section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8), for the carrying out of a redevelopment project or any part thereof under its jurisdiction.  Notwithstanding the above, the governing body of the municipality may, by ordinance, change or rescind the designation of the redevelopment entity responsible for implementing a redevelopment plan and carrying out a redevelopment project and may have the municipality assume this responsibility [itself, but]; provided, however, that only the redevelopment entity authorized to undertake a particular redevelopment project shall remain authorized to complete it, unless the redevelopment entity and redeveloper agree otherwise, or unless no obligations have been entered into by the redevelopment entity with parties other than the municipality.  This shall not diminish the power of the municipality to dissolve a redevelopment entity pursuant to section 24 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-24), and section 20 of the "Local Authorities Fiscal Control Law," P.L.1983, c.313 (C.40A:5A-20).

     d.  (1) No municipality shall exercise the power of eminent domain in a condemnation redevelopment area for the acquisition of land subject to the protections provided under section 12 of the "Agriculture Retention and Development Act," P.L.1983, c.32 (C.4:1C-19);

     (2) Acquisition of property for redevelopment purposes shall not impair or supersede protections applicable to that property under any federal or State law, covenant, easement, or conservation restriction for the preservation of any natural resource, water supply, flood plain, or endangered species, and public access to and use thereof, including, without limitation, the "Freshwater Wetlands Protection Act," P.L.1987, c.156 (C.13:9B-1 et seq.), "The Wetlands Act of 1970," P.L.1970, c.272 (C.13:9A-1 et seq.), the "Pinelands Protection Act," P.L.1979, c.111 (C.13:18A-1 et seq.), and the "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act," P.L.2004, 120 (C.13:20-1 et seq.).

     e.  A municipal governing body, a municipal planning board, or a redevelopment entity may exercise any power and carry out any responsibility under P.L.1992, c.79 (40A:12A-1 et al.), notwithstanding that the municipality's master plan does not contain a redevelopment plan element as set forth in paragraph (16) of subsection b. of section 19 of P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-28).

(cf: P.L.2009, c.252, s.14)

 

     13.  Section 5 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-5) is amended to read as follows:

     5.  A delineated area may be determined to be in need of redevelopment if, after investigation, notice and hearing as provided in section 6 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-6) or section 15 of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), the governing body of the municipality [by resolution] concludes that: (1) the deterioration or stagnation of the delineated area negatively affects surrounding properties because of any of the conditions described below, (2) the condition or conditions of blight described below are the prevailing characteristics of the delineated area, and (3) within the delineated area, objective evidence of any of the following conditions is found: 

     a.  The generality of buildings are substandard, unsafe, unsanitary, dilapidated, or obsolescent, or possess any of such characteristics, or are so lacking in light, air, or space, as to be [conducive to unwholesome living or working conditions] detrimental to the safety, health, or welfare of the community. 

     b.  The discontinuance of the use of buildings previously used for commercial, manufacturing, or industrial purposes; the abandonment of such buildings; or the same being allowed to fall into so great a state of disrepair as to be untenantable or detrimental to the safety, health, or welfare of the community. 

     c.  [Land that is owned by the municipality, the county, a local housing authority, redevelopment agency or redevelopment entity, or unimproved] Unimproved vacant land that has remained so for a period of ten years prior to adoption of the resolution or ordinance, as appropriate, and [by reason of its location, remoteness, lack of means of access to developed sections or portions of the municipality, or topography, or nature of the soil, is not likely to be developed through the instrumentality of private capital] causes conditions that are detrimental to the safety, health, or welfare of the community.

     d.  Areas with buildings or improvements which, by reason of dilapidation, obsolescence, overcrowding, [faulty arrangement or design,] lack of ventilation, light and sanitary facilities, excessive land coverage, deleterious land use [or obsolete layout], or any combination of these or other similar factors, are detrimental to the safety, health, [morals,] or welfare of the community. 

     e.  A growing lack or total lack of proper utilization of areas caused by the condition of the title, diverse ownership of the real property therein or other similar conditions, resulting in a stagnant [or] and [not fully productive] unproductive condition of land [potentially useful and valuable for contributing to and serving the public health, safety and welfare]. 

     f.  Areas, in excess of five contiguous acres, whereon buildings or improvements have been destroyed, consumed by fire, demolished or altered by the action of storm, fire, cyclone, tornado, earthquake or other casualty in such a way that the aggregate assessed value of the area has been materially depreciated. 

     g.  In any municipality in which an enterprise zone has been designated pursuant to the "New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zones Act," P.L.1983, c.303 (C.52:27H-60 et seq.) the execution of the actions prescribed in that act for the adoption by the municipality and approval by the New Jersey Urban Enterprise Zone Authority of the zone development plan for the area of the enterprise zone shall be considered sufficient for the determination that the area is in need of redevelopment pursuant to sections 5 and 6 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-5 and 40A:12A-6) for the purpose of granting tax exemptions within the enterprise zone district pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-1 et seq.) or the adoption of a tax abatement and exemption ordinance pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1991, c.441 (C.40A:21-1 et seq.). The municipality shall not utilize any other redevelopment powers within the urban enterprise zone unless the municipal governing body and planning board have also taken the actions and fulfilled the requirements prescribed in P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.) for determining that the area is in need of redevelopment or an area in need of rehabilitation and the municipal governing body has adopted a redevelopment plan ordinance including the area of the enterprise zone. 

     h.  [The designation of the delineated area is consistent with smart growth planning principles adopted pursuant to law or regulation.] (Deleted by amendment, P.L.    , c.    .) (pending before the Legislature as this bill)

     i.  Property, either improved or unimproved, that has known contamination and has remained vacant or substantially underutilized for at least 24 consecutive months.

(cf: P.L.2003, c.125, s.3)

 

     14.  Section 6 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-6) is amended to read as follows:

     6.  a.  (1) No area of a municipality shall be determined a non-condemnation redevelopment area unless the governing body of the municipality shall, by resolution, authorize the planning board to undertake a preliminary investigation to determine whether the proposed area is a non-condemnation redevelopment area according to the criteria set forth in section 5 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-5).  Such determination shall be made after public notice and public hearing as provided in subsection b. of this section. 

     (2) The governing body of a municipality shall assign the conduct of the investigation and hearing to the planning board of the municipality. 

     (3) A redeveloper or prospective redeveloper shall not conduct or fund any part of the preliminary investigation, however, an agreement designating a redeveloper pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8) may require the redeveloper to provide for reimbursement of the costs associated with the preliminary investigation.

     b.  (1) Before proceeding to a public hearing on the matter, the planning board shall prepare a map showing the boundaries of the proposed non-condemnation redevelopment area and the location of the various parcels of property included therein.  There shall be appended to the map a statement setting forth the basis for the investigation. 

     (2) The planning board shall specify a date for and give notice of a hearing for the purpose of hearing persons who are interested in or would be affected by a determination that the delineated area is a non-condemnation redevelopment area.

     (3) (a) The hearing notice shall set forth the general boundaries of the area to be investigated and state that a map has been prepared and can be inspected at the office of the municipal clerk.  The notice shall identify the office in which the public may inspect documents relevant to the determination that an area is a non-condemnation redevelopment area.  The notice shall be written in simple, clear, understandable, and easily readable language.  The notice shall include the following statement in bold typeface:

 

THE GOVERNING BODY OF ________________ IS CONSIDERING DESIGNATING PART OF THE MUNICIPALITY AS A "NON-CONDEMNATION REDEVELOPMENT AREA."  THIS DESIGNATION DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE TAKING OF PROPERTY BY CONDEMNATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.  PROPERTY CAN ONLY BE TAKEN BY CONDEMNATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES IF IT IS LOCATED IN AN AREA DESIGNATED AS A "CONDEMNATION REDEVELOPMENT AREA" AND THE MUNICIPALITY PROVIDES PROPER NOTICE OF THAT DESIGNATION.

 

     (b) (i) A copy of the notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality once each week for two consecutive weeks, and the last publication shall be not less than ten days prior to the date set for the hearing. 

     (ii) If the municipality has an Internet web site, the notice shall be posted thereon. 

     (iii) A copy of the notice shall be posted within or proximate to each property within the proposed non-condemnation redevelopment area.

     (iv) A copy of the notice shall be mailed at least ten days prior to the date set for the hearing to the last owner, if any, of each parcel of property within the area according to the assessment records of the municipality.  A notice shall also be sent to all persons at their last known address, if any, whose names are noted on the assessment records as claimants of an interest in any such parcel.  The assessor of the municipality shall make a notation upon the records when requested to do so by any person claiming to have an interest in any parcel of property in the municipality.  The notice shall be published and mailed by the municipal clerk, or by such clerk or official as the planning board shall otherwise designate.  Failure to mail any such notice shall [not invalidate the investigation or determination thereon] be governed by the provisions of section 27 of P.L.    , c.    (C.        ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

     (c) Prior to the hearing, a copy of all documents relevant to the determination that an area is a non-condemnation redevelopment area shall be available for public inspection during regular business hours at a location set forth in the notice, and if the municipality has an Internet web site, they shall be posted thereon.

     (4) At the hearing, which may be adjourned from time to time, the planning board shall hear all persons who are interested in or would be affected by a determination that the delineated area is a non-condemnation redevelopment area.  All objections to such a determination and evidence in support of those objections, given orally or in writing, shall be received and considered and made part of the public record.

     (5) (a)  After completing its hearing on this matter, the planning board shall recommend that the delineated area, or any part thereof, be determined, or not be determined, by the municipal governing body to be a non-condemnation redevelopment area. 

     (b) After receiving the recommendation of the planning board, the municipal governing body may adopt a resolution determining that the delineated area, or any part thereof, is a non-condemnation redevelopment area. 

     (c) Upon the adoption of a resolution, the clerk of the municipality shall, forthwith, transmit a copy of the resolution to the Commissioner of Community Affairs for review.  If the non-condemnation redevelopment area [in need of redevelopment] is not situated in an area in which development or redevelopment is to be encouraged pursuant to any State law or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, the determination shall not take effect without first receiving the review and the approval of the commissioner.  If the commissioner does not issue an approval or disapproval within 30 calendar days of transmittal by the clerk, the determination shall be deemed to be approved.  If the area in need of redevelopment is situated in an area in which development or redevelopment is to be encouraged pursuant to any State law or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, then the determination shall take effect after the clerk has transmitted a copy of the resolution to the commissioner. 

     (d) The determination, if supported by substantial evidence and, if required, approved by the commissioner, shall be binding and conclusive upon all persons affected by the determination. 

     (e) Notice of the determination shall be served, within 10 days after the determination, [upon each person who filed a written objection thereto and stated, in or upon the written submission, an address to which notice of determination may be sent.] upon each person who received notice of the public hearing in accordance with paragraph (3) of this subsection in the same manner as provided therein.  Additionally, notice of the determination shall be published in the official newspaper of the municipality, together with the date of the first publication of such notice and also a statement that any action or proceeding of any kind or nature in any court questioning the validity of the adoption of the ordinance or the determination contained therein, shall be commenced within 60 days after the first publication of the notice.  The notice shall include the following statement in boldface type:

THE GOVERNING BODY OF ________________ HAS DESIGNATED PART OF THE MUNICIPALITY AS A "NON-CONDEMNATION REDEVELOPMENT AREA."  THIS DESIGNATION DOES NOT ALLOW FOR THE TAKING OF PROPERTY BY CONDEMNATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.  PROPERTY CAN ONLY BE TAKEN BY CONDEMNATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES IF IT IS LOCATED IN AN AREA DESIGNATED AS A "CONDEMNATION REDEVELOPMENT AREA" AND THE MUNICIPALITY PROVIDES PROPER NOTICE OF THAT DESIGNATION.  A LAWSUIT TO CHALLENGE THIS DESIGNATION MUST BE FILED BY  (the 60th day after the first publication of the notice), WHICH IS THE 60TH DAY AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE, OR A CHALLENGE TO THE DESIGNATION MAY BE FOREVER BARRED, UNLESS OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY THE COURT.

 

     (6) [If written objections were filed in connection with the hearing, the municipality shall, for 45 days next following its determination to which the objections were filed, take no further action to acquire any property by condemnation within the redevelopment area.]  A municipal governing body shall not adopt a redevelopment plan ordinance in accordance with section 7 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-7) until at least 60 days have transpired after the first date of publication of the notice specified in paragraph (5) of subsection b. of this section.

     (7) If a person [who filed a written objection to a determination by the municipality pursuant to this subsection] shall, within [45] 60 days [after the adoption by the municipality of the determination to which the person objected] following the date of the notice, apply to the Superior Court, the court may grant further review of the determination by procedure in lieu of prerogative writ; and in any such action the court may make any incidental order that it deems proper.

     c.  An area determined to be [in need of] a non-condemnation redevelopment area pursuant to subsections a. and b. of this section shall be deemed to be a "blighted area" for all of the purposes of Article VIII, Section III, paragraph 1 of the Constitution except for the purpose of acquiring property through the exercise of the power of eminent domain.  If an area is determined to be a non-condemnation redevelopment area and a redevelopment plan is adopted for that area in accordance with the provisions of this act, the municipality is authorized to utilize all those powers provided in section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8), except that the power of condemnation shall be exercised only in an area declared to be a condemnation redevelopment area pursuant to section 15 of P.L.    ,

c.    (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

(cf: P.L.2003, c.125, s.4)

 

     15.  (New section)  a.  (1) No area of a municipality shall be determined a condemnation redevelopment area unless the governing body of the municipality shall, by resolution, authorize the planning board to undertake a preliminary investigation to determine whether the proposed area is a condemnation redevelopment area according to the criteria set forth in section 5 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-5).  The determination shall be made after public notice and public hearing as provided in subsection b. of this section.

     (2) (a) The governing body of a municipality shall assign the conduct of the investigation and hearing required by this subsection to the planning board of the municipality.

     (b) In the case of any proposed condemnation redevelopment area that is more than 10 acres in area, or that contains more than 100 occupied dwelling units or more than 50 operating business premises, the governing body shall hold a public informational meeting prior to adoption of the resolution authorizing the planning board to undertake a preliminary investigation as set forth in this subsection.  Notice of the public informational meeting shall be as in subparagraph (b) of paragraph (3) of subsection b. of this section, except that notice to individual property owners and tenants shall not be required.

     (3) A redeveloper or prospective redeveloper shall not conduct or fund any part of the preliminary investigation, however, an agreement designating a redeveloper pursuant to section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8) may require the redeveloper to provide for reimbursement of the costs associated with the preliminary investigation.

     b.  (1) Before proceeding to a public hearing on the matter, the planning board shall prepare a map showing the boundaries of the proposed condemnation redevelopment area and the location, by block, lot, and street address, of the various parcels of property included therein.  There shall be appended to the map a report setting forth the factual and legal basis for the investigation.

     (2) The planning board shall specify a date for, and give notice of, a public hearing for the purpose of hearing persons who are interested in, or would be affected by, a determination that the delineated area is a condemnation redevelopment area.

     (3) (a) The public hearing notice shall be written in simple, clear, understandable, and easily readable language.  The notice shall specifically and fairly alert the property owners, legal tenants and lessees of, as well as claimants of an interest in, all parcels of property located within the boundaries of the proposed condemnation redevelopment area that the parcel of property that they have an interest in is being considered for inclusion in the condemnation redevelopment area.  The notice shall clearly state that the public hearing will begin the process through which it will be decided whether private property located within the proposed area may be taken by condemnation for redevelopment purposes.  The notice shall set forth the general boundaries of the area to be investigated and state that a map and report have been prepared and can be inspected during regular business hours at a location identified in the notice.  The notice shall include the following statement in bold typeface:

THE GOVERNING BODY OF ________________ IS CONSIDERING DESIGNATING PART OF THE MUNICIPALITY AS A "CONDEMNATION REDEVELOPMENT AREA."  THIS DESIGNATION WOULD ALLOW FOR THE TAKING OF PROPERTY BY CONDEMNATION FOR REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES. 

     (b) (i) A copy of the public hearing notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality once each week for two consecutive weeks, and the last publication shall be not less than 10 days prior to the date set for the public hearing.

     (ii) If the municipality has an Internet web site, the notice shall be posted thereon.

     (iii) A copy of the notice also shall be posted within or proximate to each property within the proposed condemnation redevelopment area.

     (iv) A copy of the notice shall be mailed at least 15 days prior to the date set for the public hearing to the last owner, if any, of each parcel of property within the proposed condemnation redevelopment area as shown on the most recent assessment records of the municipality, and to any legal tenant or lessee of any of those properties.  The municipal clerk or other clerk or official designated by the planning board shall contact, by certified mail, the legal owner of each rental property to request the names and addresses of the legal tenants and lessees.  If the legal owner of the rental property refers the clerk or other official to a management company for such information, the clerk or other official shall contact, by certified mail, that management company to request the names and addresses of legal tenants and lessees.  If the municipal clerk or other clerk or official designated by the planning board does not receive the names and addresses of the legal tenants and lessees within 20 days of such request being mailed, then those notices shall be mailed, by regular mail only, to each rental unit in such rental property shown in the records of the municipality, addressed to "occupant."  A copy of the notice shall be posted on each such rental property at least 15 days prior to the date of the public hearing, and a municipal employee shall execute an affidavit that such notice was duly posted and shall attach a true and correct copy of the notice to the affidavit.  A notice also shall be sent to all persons at their last known address, if any, whose names are noted on the assessment records as claimants of an interest in any such parcel.  The assessor of the municipality shall make a notation upon the records when requested to do so by any person claiming to have an interest in any parcel of property in the municipality.  The notice required by this paragraph shall be published, posted, and mailed by the municipal clerk, or by such clerk or official as the planning board shall otherwise designate.  Mailing shall be by regular mail and by certified mail, return receipt requested.  Failure to mail any such notice shall be governed by the provisions of section 27 of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

     (c) Prior to the public hearing, a copy of all documents relevant to the determination that an area is a condemnation redevelopment area shall be available for public inspection during regular business hours at a location identified in the notice, and if the municipality has an Internet web site, they shall be posted thereon.

     (4) At the public hearing, which may be adjourned from time to time, the planning board shall hear all persons who are interested in, or would be affected by, a determination that the delineated area is a condemnation redevelopment area.  All objections to such a determination and evidence in support of those objections, given orally or in writing, shall be received and considered, and made part of the public record.

     (5) (a) After completing its hearing on this matter, the planning board shall recommend that the delineated area, or any part thereof, be determined, or not be determined, by the municipal governing body to be a condemnation redevelopment area.

     (b) After receiving the recommendation of the planning board, the municipal governing body may adopt an ordinance determining that the delineated area, or any part thereof, is a condemnation redevelopment area.  No parcel shall be included in the condemnation redevelopment area that was not recommended for inclusion by the planning board. 

     (c) Forthwith after introduction of the ordinance, the clerk of the municipality shall transmit a copy of the ordinance to the Commissioner of Community Affairs for review.  If the condemnation redevelopment area is not situated in an area in which development or redevelopment is to be encouraged pursuant to any State law or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, the ordinance shall not be finally adopted without first receiving the review and the approval of the commissioner.  If the commissioner does not issue an approval or disapproval within 30 calendar days of transmittal by the clerk, the municipality may proceed to finally adopt the ordinance.  If the area in need of redevelopment is situated in an area in which development or redevelopment is to be encouraged pursuant to any State law or regulation promulgated pursuant thereto, then the municipality may proceed to finally adopt the ordinance without waiting for the commissioner's review. 

     (d) The determination, if supported by substantial evidence and, if required, approved by the commissioner, shall be binding and conclusive upon all persons affected by the determination. 

     (e) (i) Notice of final adoption of an ordinance making a determination that an area is a condemnation redevelopment area shall be served, within 10 days after the final adoption of the ordinance making the determination, upon each person who received notice of the public hearing in accordance with sub-paragraph (b) of paragraph (3) of this subsection in the same manner as provided therein.  The notice shall specifically and fairly alert the property owners, legal tenants and lessees of, as well as claimants of an interest in, all parcels of property located within the boundaries of the condemnation redevelopment area that the parcel of property that they own, or have an interest in, is included within the condemnation redevelopment area.  The notice shall clearly state that this redevelopment determination operates as a finding of public purpose and authorizes the municipality to acquire the parcel of property that they own, or have an interest in, against their will, by condemnation for redevelopment purposes.  The notice shall clearly inform the owners, legal tenants and lessees of, as well as claimants of an interest in, all parcels of property located within the boundaries of the condemnation redevelopment area that any action or proceeding of any kind or nature in any court questioning the validity of the adoption of the ordinance or the determination contained therein, shall be commenced within 60 days after the date of the first publication of notice under sub-paragraph (iii) of this paragraph.

     The notice shall include the following statement in boldface type:

THE GOVERNING BODY OF ________________ HAS DESIGNATED PART OF THE MUNICIPALITY AS A "CONDEMNATION REDEVELOPMENT AREA."  THIS DESIGNATION OPERATES AS A FINDING OF PUBLIC PURPOSE AND ALLOWS THE MUNICIPALITY TO ACQUIRE PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE AREA BY CONDEMNATION (AGAINST THE OWNER'S WILL) FOR REDEVELOPMENT PURPOSES.  YOU HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A PERSON WHO OWNS OR WHO HAS AN INTEREST IN A PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE DESIGNATED AREA.  IF YOU WANT TO CHALLENGE THIS DESIGNATION, YOU MUST FILE A LAWSUIT BY  (the 60th day after the first publication of the notice), WHICH IS THE 60TH DAY AFTER THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR A CHALLENGE TO THE DESIGNATION MAY BE FOREVER BARRED, UNLESS OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY THE COURT.

     (ii) Forthwith after mailing the notices required to be mailed pursuant to sub-subparagraph (i) of this subparagraph, the clerk of the municipality shall file in the office of the county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages, as the case may be, of the county in which the affected real estate is situate, a copy of each written notice required to be mailed to a property owner pursuant to sub-subparagraph (i) of this subparagraph.  The county clerk or register of deeds and mortgages, with whom a notice is filed, shall forthwith record the same, with the time of the filing thereof, in a proper book provided and kept for the purpose of maintaining a record of properties located within condemnation redevelopment areas designated within the county.  The record book shall be properly indexed, and shall be a public record, to which persons desiring to examine the same shall have access.

     (iii) Notice of final adoption of an ordinance making a determination of a condemnation redevelopment area shall be published in the official newspaper of the municipality.  The notice shall clearly state that this redevelopment determination operates as a finding of public purpose and authorizes the municipality to acquire property located in the area by condemnation (against the owner's will) for redevelopment purposes.  The notice shall clearly state the date of the first publication of the notice and inform the general public that any action or proceeding of any kind or nature in any court questioning the validity of the adoption of the ordinance or the determination contained therein, shall be commenced within 60 days after the first publication of the notice.  If the municipality has an Internet web site, the notice shall be posted thereon.  A copy of the notice also shall be posted within or proximate to each property within the condemnation redevelopment area.

     (6) A municipal governing body shall not adopt a redevelopment plan ordinance in accordance with section 7 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-7) and section 18 of P.L.    , c.   (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) until at least 60 days have transpired after the first date of publication of the notice specified in paragraph (5) of subsection b. of this section.

     (7) If a person shall, within 60 days following the date of the notice, apply to the Superior Court, the court may grant further review of the determination by procedure in lieu of prerogative writ; and in any such action the court may make any incidental order that it deems proper.

     c.  An area determined to be a condemnation redevelopment area pursuant to subsections a. and b. of this section shall be deemed to be a "blighted area" for all of the purposes of Article VIII, Section III, paragraph 1 of the Constitution.  If an area is determined to be a condemnation redevelopment area and a redevelopment plan is adopted for that area in accordance with the provisions of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.), the municipality is authorized to utilize all those powers provided in section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8).

 

     16.  (New section)  a.  Designation of an area as a redevelopment area shall lapse seven years following: (1) the adoption of the resolution or ordinance, as appropriate, making the determination if the municipality has not adopted a redevelopment plan for that redevelopment area and made substantial progress on implementing the plan, or (2) the final adoption of the original redevelopment plan if no projects have been commenced pursuant to the redevelopment plan, or one or more projects have been commenced but cumulative stoppages of construction work that are attributable to the action or inaction of the developer or redeveloper have totaled more than 365 days, however, despite cumulative work stoppages totaling more than 365 days, a redevelopment area designation shall not lapse while work on a project is ongoing.  Work on a project shall be considered to be ongoing despite work stoppages that are not attributable to the action or inaction of the developer or redeveloper.  For the purposes of this subsection, a bona fide agreement for project financing shall constitute commencement of a project or substantial progress on implementing the plan.

     b.  In any action or proceeding before the court questioning the validity of a redevelopment determination, the municipality, redevelopment entity, or redeveloper shall be responsible for producing the exhibits that were relied upon to support the redevelopment area determination.

     c.  A proceeding questioning the validity of a redevelopment area determination shall be heard by the court on a priority basis with the goal of expediting the proceedings to the greatest extent possible.

     d.  Upon finding that any property is not necessary for the completion of a redevelopment project, the municipal governing body shall omit that property from the redevelopment plan.

 

     17.  Section 7 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-7) is amended to read as follows:

     7.  a.  Following the determination of a non-condemnation redevelopment area pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-6), the determination of a condemnation redevelopment area pursuant to section 15 of P.L.    , c.    (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), or the determination of an area in need of rehabilitation pursuant to section 14 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-14), the municipality may undertake the preparation of a redevelopment plan for all or some part of the area determined to be in need of redevelopment or rehabilitation, directly in accordance with subsection e. of this section, or, by resolution, may direct the municipal planning board to develop such plan in accordance with subsection f. of this section.  No redevelopment project shall be undertaken or carried out except in accordance with a redevelopment plan adopted by ordinance of the municipal governing body [, upon its finding that the] relating to a specifically delineated project area that is located in an area in need of redevelopment or in an area in need of rehabilitation, or in both, according to criteria set forth in section 5 or section 14 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-5 or 40A:12A-14), as appropriate.  The ordinance shall be adopted in accordance with the provisions contained in this section.  Additionally, an ordinance adopting a redevelopment plan for an area located in a condemnation redevelopment area shall comply with the provisions contained in section 18 of P.L.    , c.   (C.       ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

     [The] A redevelopment plan shall include an outline for the planning, development, redevelopment, or rehabilitation of the project area sufficient to indicate: 

     (1) [Its] The relationship of the plan to [definite] local objectives as set forth in the municipal master plan or other official documents with respect to [appropriate] land uses, density of population, [and improved] improvements or changes to traffic circulation, pedestrian circulation and public transportation, public utilities, recreational and community facilities and other public improvements. 

     (2) Proposed land uses and building requirements in the project area, including the character, intensity and scale of proposed redevelopment activities, and the design and planning standards and guidelines to govern those activities.

     (3) [Adequate provision for] A relocation study adequate to identify available units suitable to the temporary and permanent relocation, as necessary, of residents and businesses in the project area, as required by the "Relocation Assistance Act," P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-1 et seq.), and any other applicable law, including, for residents, an estimate of the extent to which [decent, safe and sanitary dwelling units affordable to displaced residents] comparable, affordable replacement housing will be available [to them] in the existing local housing market, an assessment of the disparity between the availability of comparable, affordable replacement housing and the needs of the residents in the project area, an estimate of the amount and type of replacement housing that will have to be provided within or without the redevelopment area in order to meet the relocation needs of residents in the project area, and a plan setting forth the manner and timetable in which that housing, if needed, will be provided.

     (4) (a) An identification, by block and lot and street address, if any, of [any] every property within the redevelopment area [which].  The redevelopment plan shall indicate whether each property so identified is proposed to be acquired [in accordance with the redevelopment plan].

     (b) With regard to properties located within a condemnation redevelopment area, the redevelopment plan shall indicate each property's relationship to the objectives of the redevelopment plan that cannot be realistically achieved without the acquisition of that property, any alternatives that were considered to the proposed acquisition, and the reasons that such alternatives would not provide for realistic achievement of the objectives of the redevelopment plan, if adopted.  The allocation of the cost of this assessment shall be negotiated and agreed upon between the municipality and the redevelopment entity.

     (5) Any significant relationship of the redevelopment plan to (a) the master plans of contiguous municipalities, (b) the master plan of the county in which the municipality is located, and (c) the State Development and Redevelopment Plan adopted pursuant to the "State Planning Act," P.L.1985, c.398 (C.52:18A-196 et al.).

     (6) As of the date of the adoption of the resolution finding the area to be in need of redevelopment, an inventory of all housing units affordable to low and moderate income households, as defined pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-304), that are to be removed as a result of implementation of the redevelopment plan, whether as a result of subsidies or market conditions, listed by affordability level, number of bedrooms, and tenure.

     (7) [A plan for the provision, through new construction or substantial rehabilitation of one] Provisions for the replacement of any housing that was constructed for low and moderate income households under the terms of any State or federal housing subsidy program, which housing is to be removed as a result of the redevelopment plan, with comparable, affordable replacement housing [unit for each affordable housing unit that has been occupied at any time within the last 18 months, that is subject to affordability controls and that is identified as to be removed as a result of implementation of the redevelopment plan] units.  Displaced residents of housing units provided under any State or federal housing subsidy program, or pursuant to the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et al.), provided they are deemed to be eligible, shall have first priority for those replacement units provided under the plan [; provided that any such] .  A replacement unit shall not be credited against a prospective municipal obligation under the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et al.), if the housing unit which is removed had previously been credited toward satisfying the municipal fair share obligation.  Rental comparable, affordable replacement housing units shall contain affordability controls restricting occupancy to low and moderate income households for a period of at least 45 years, unless another period is established under an applicable State or federal financing program.  To the extent reasonably feasible, replacement housing shall be provided within or in close proximity to the redevelopment area.  A municipality shall report annually to the Department of Community Affairs on its progress in implementing the [plan for] provision of comparable, affordable replacement housing [required] in accordance with a plan adopted pursuant to this section.

     (8) An estimate of the number of dwelling units for low and moderate income households that may be required as a result of implementing the redevelopment plan, in order to meet the municipality's obligations under the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et al.), and the municipality's plan for meeting those obligations within or outside the redevelopment area.

     (9) The social and economic impact of the redevelopment area, including its effect on those parts of the municipality adjacent to the redevelopment area, and on the low and moderate income residents of the area, further including estimates of the number of temporary and permanent jobs that will be available to the low and moderate income residents of the area.

     (10) Preservation or conservation strategies and goals for the assets contained in the inventory of environmental, historical, and cultural assets in the delineated project area.

     (11) An explanation of how any development controls contained in the redevelopment plan are consistent with smart growth planning principles adopted pursuant to law or regulation.

     (12) A statement setting forth the municipal planning board's ability, if any, to grant relief to applicants from elements of the redevelopment plan when reviewing and approving development applications, including, but not limited to, variances, exceptions, and waivers as defined in the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.).

     b.  [A] In addition to that housing provided pursuant to paragraph (8) of subsection a. of this section, a redevelopment plan may include the provision of affordable housing in accordance with the "Fair Housing Act," P.L.1985, c.222 (C.52:27D-301 et al.) and the housing element of the municipal master plan. 

     c.  The redevelopment plan shall describe its relationship to pertinent municipal development regulations as defined in the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.).  The redevelopment plan shall supersede applicable provisions of the development regulations of the municipality or constitute an overlay zoning district within the redevelopment area.  When the redevelopment plan supersedes any provision of the development regulations, the ordinance adopting the redevelopment plan shall contain an explicit amendment to the zoning district map included in the zoning ordinance.  The zoning district map as amended shall indicate the redevelopment area to which the redevelopment plan applies.  Notwithstanding the provisions of the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.) or of other law, no notice beyond that required for adoption of ordinances by the municipality shall be required for the hearing on or adoption of the redevelopment plan for a non-condemnation redevelopment area or subsequent amendments thereof.

     d.  All provisions of the redevelopment plan shall be either substantially consistent with the municipal master plan or designed to effectuate the master plan; but the municipal governing body may adopt a redevelopment plan which is inconsistent with or not designed to effectuate the master plan by affirmative vote of a majority of its full authorized membership with the reasons for so acting set forth in the redevelopment plan.

     e.  [Prior to the adoption of a redevelopment plan, or revision or amendment thereto, the] If a municipality prepares a redevelopment plan, or revision or amendment thereto directly, the municipal governing body shall refer the proposed redevelopment plan, revision or amendment to the municipal planning board for review.  Such referral may be by resolution.  The municipal planning board shall transmit to the governing body, within 45 days after referral, a report containing its recommendation concerning the redevelopment plan.  This report shall include an identification of any provisions in the proposed redevelopment plan which are inconsistent with the master plan and recommendations concerning these inconsistencies and any other matters as the board deems appropriate.  The governing body, when considering the adoption of a redevelopment plan or revision or amendment thereof, shall review the report of the planning board and may approve or disapprove or change any recommendation by a vote of a majority of its full authorized membership and shall record in its minutes the reasons for not following the recommendations.  Failure of the planning board to transmit its report within the required 45 days shall relieve the governing body from the requirements of this subsection with regard to the pertinent proposed redevelopment plan or revision or amendment thereof.  Nothing in this subsection shall diminish the applicability of the provisions of subsection d. of this section with respect to any redevelopment plan or revision or amendment thereof. 

     f.  The governing body of a municipality may direct the planning board to prepare a redevelopment plan or an amendment or revision to a redevelopment plan for a designated redevelopment area.  After completing the redevelopment plan, the planning board shall transmit the proposed plan to the governing body for its adoption.  The governing body, when considering the proposed plan, may amend or revise any portion of the proposed redevelopment plan by an affirmative vote of the majority of its full authorized membership and shall record in its minutes the reasons for each amendment or revision.  When a redevelopment plan or amendment to a redevelopment plan is referred to the governing body by the planning board under this subsection, the governing body shall be relieved of the referral requirements of subsection e. of this section.

(cf: P.L.2008, c.46, s.2)

 

     18.  (New section)  a.  In addition to the requirements contained in section 7 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-7), an ordinance adopting a redevelopment plan for an area located in a condemnation redevelopment area shall comply with the provisions contained in this section.

     b.  Notice of the public hearing on the ordinance shall state the date, time, and location of the public hearing, shall identify where the proposed redevelopment plan is available for examination and shall identify, by block and lot and street address, if any, the parcels that may be included in a condemnation area and subject to acquisition and the power of eminent domain under the proposed redevelopment plan.

     c.  (1) The full text of the redevelopment plan to be considered by the governing body along with any maps or other exhibits thereto, shall be made available to the public in the municipal building and shall be posted on the municipality's Internet web site, if any, at the time the hearing notice is provided.  Copies of the proposed redevelopment plan shall be available for purchase by any interested party.

     (2) A copy of the notice of the public hearing shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality once each week for two consecutive weeks, and the last publication shall be not less than 10 days prior to the date set for the hearing, and shall be posted on the municipality's Internet web site, if any, and in a reasonable number of public places within or proximate to the proposed condemnation redevelopment area as may be available and appropriate. 

     (3) (a) A copy of the notice, including bolded language specifying that the owner's property is subject to condemnation, shall be mailed by the municipal clerk, by regular mail, at least 10 days prior to the date set for the hearing to the last owner, if any, of each parcel of property within the area according to the assessment records of the municipality and to any legal tenant or lessee. 

     (b) The municipal clerk shall contact, by certified mail, the legal owner of each rental property to request the names and addresses of the legal tenants and lessees.  If the legal owner of the rental property refers the clerk to a management company for such information, the clerk shall contact, by certified mail, that management company to request the names and addresses of legal tenants and lessees.  If the municipal clerk does not receive the names and addresses of the legal tenants and lessees within 20 days of such request being mailed, then those notices shall be mailed, by regular mail only, to each rental unit in such rental property shown in the records of the municipality, addressed to "occupant."  A copy of the notice shall be posted on each such rental property at least 15 days prior to the date of the public hearing, and a municipal employee shall execute an affidavit that such notice was duly posted and shall attach a true and correct copy of the notice to the affidavit.

     (c) For property owners whose properties do not exhibit conditions of blight and are proposed to be acquired under the redevelopment plan, the notice shall specify the reason why acquiring the property is necessary for the redevelopment of the area.

     (d) A notice shall also be sent by the municipal clerk to all persons at their last known address, if any, whose names are noted on the assessment records as claimants of an interest in any such parcel.  The assessor of the municipality shall make a notation upon the records when requested to do so by any person claiming to have an interest in any parcel of property in the municipality.

     (e) Failure to mail any notice required under this paragraph shall be governed by the provisions of section 27 of P.L.    , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

     d.  At the public hearing, the municipal governing body shall hear all persons who are interested in or would be affected by the provisions of the redevelopment plan, and such persons shall be allowed to ask questions concerning the plan, although the governing body may, by vote of its majority, restrict or limit the amount of time afforded for each person to speak and may adopt reasonable procedures for preventing repetitive or dilatory questioning.  A record of the public hearing shall be kept by the municipal clerk.  Upon the close of the public hearing, the municipal governing body may vote to finally adopt the ordinance.

     e.  (1) Notice of final adoption of an ordinance adopting a redevelopment plan for a condemnation redevelopment area shall be mailed, within 10 days after the final adoption of the ordinance making such determination, to each person who received notice of the public hearing in accordance with paragraph (3) of subsection c. of this section, in the same manner as provided therein.

     (2) Additionally, notice of final adoption of an ordinance making a determination shall be published in the official newspaper of the municipality, together with the date of the first publication of such notice and also a statement that any action or proceeding of any kind or nature in any court questioning the validity of the adoption of the ordinance or the determination contained therein, shall be commenced within 60 days after the first publication of such notice.

     (3) The notice that is mailed to owners, legal tenants and lessees of properties proposed to be acquired shall contain the following bolded language:

 

THE GOVERNING BODY OF ________________ HAS IDENTIFIED THE PROPERTY YOU OWN OR RENT FOR POSSIBLE ACQUISITION THROUGH EMINENT DOMAIN.  IF YOU WISH TO CONTEST THE IDENTIFICATION OF YOUR PROPERTY FOR POSSIBLE ACQUISITION OR CHALLENGE ANY PROVISION OF THE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, YOU MUST FILE YOUR LAWSUIT BY (60th day after the date of first publication) WHICH IS THE 60TH DAY AFTER THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE, OR YOUR RIGHT TO CHALLENGE THE PLAN MAY BE BARRED FOREVER, UNLESS OTHERWISE PERMITTED BY THE COURTS.

 

     f.  The municipality may not finally authorize and execute an agreement with a redeveloper until 60 days next following the final adoption of the ordinance adopting a redevelopment plan for a condemnation redevelopment area pursuant to this section, unless the redeveloper is the owner of the property that is the subject of the redevelopment agreement.

     g.  Amendments and revisions to redevelopment plans for condemnation redevelopment areas shall comply with the provisions contained in this section if the proposed changes: (1) add a property or properties to those previously identified for acquisition; (2) increase the residential density by 20 percent or more; (3) increase the non-residential square footage by 20 percent or more; (4) increase the area subject to the redevelopment plan or (5) extend the period of time within which any land or building which is necessary for a redevelopment project may be acquired by condemnation; however, an amendment or revision to a redevelopment plan extending the period of time to acquire property by condemnation need only comply with the requirements contained in paragraph (3) of subsection c. of this section and paragraph (1) of subsection e. of this section with regard to parcels of property subject to the proposed extension of time to condemn.

 

     19.  Section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8) is amended to read as follows:

     8.  Upon the adoption of a redevelopment plan pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-7), the municipality or redevelopment entity designated by the governing body may proceed with the clearance, replanning, development and redevelopment of the area designated in that plan.

     Prior to the exercise of any power granted pursuant to this section that will result in a substantial negative environmental impact on, or safety risk to, other persons or businesses remaining in the redevelopment area, the municipality or redeveloper, or a designee, shall offer those persons and businesses relocation assistance in accordance with the "Relocation Assistance Law of 1967," P.L.1967, c.79 (C.52:31B-1 et seq.) and the "Relocation Assistance Act," P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-1 et seq.).  The Commissioner of Community Affairs, in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, shall promulgate rules and regulations within 180 days of enactment of P.L.    , c.     (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to clarify the circumstances requiring the offer of relocation assistance to persons or businesses under this section.  The requirement to offer relocation assistance under this section shall be applicable to actions taken to implement redevelopment plans that are adopted after the date that the rules and regulations provided herein are promulgated.

     In order to carry out and effectuate the purposes of this act and the terms of the redevelopment plan, the municipality or designated redevelopment entity may: 

     a.  Undertake redevelopment projects, and for this purpose issue bonds in accordance with the provisions of section 29 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-29). 

     b.  Acquire property pursuant to subsection i. of section 22 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-22). 

     c.  Acquire, by condemnation, within five years of the adoption of a redevelopment plan for a condemnation redevelopment area, or within five years of an amendment or revision thereto any land or building which is necessary for the redevelopment project, pursuant to the provisions of the "Eminent Domain Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-1 et seq.) and the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law," P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.).  If the municipality or redevelopment entity acquires by condemnation contaminated property, and the property is undergoing a remediation, the municipality may petition the Department of Environmental Protection, in writing, for authority to perform the remediation of the condemned property in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of P.L.2005, c.355 (C.58:10B-3.1).

     d.  Clear any area owned or acquired and install, construct or reconstruct streets, facilities, utilities, and site improvements essential to the preparation of sites for use in accordance with the redevelopment plan. 

     e.  Prepare or arrange by contract for the provision of professional services and the preparation of plans by registered architects, licensed professional engineers or planners, or other consultants for the carrying out of redevelopment projects. 

     f.  Arrange or contract with public agencies or redevelopers for the planning, replanning, construction, or undertaking of any project or redevelopment work, or any part thereof; negotiate and collect revenue from a redeveloper to defray the costs of the redevelopment entity, including where applicable the costs incurred in conjunction with bonds, notes or other obligations issued by the redevelopment entity, and to secure payment of such revenue; as part of any such arrangement or contract, provide for extension of credit, or making of loans, to redevelopers to finance any project or redevelopment work, or upon a finding that the project or redevelopment work would not be undertaken but for the provision of financial assistance, or would not be undertaken in its intended scope without the provision of financial assistance, provide as part of an arrangement or contract for capital grants to redevelopers; and arrange or contract with public agencies or redevelopers for the opening, grading or closing of streets, roads, roadways, alleys, or other places or for the furnishing of facilities or for the acquisition by such agency of property options or property rights or for the furnishing of property or services in connection with a redevelopment area. 

     g.  Except with regard to property subject to the requirements of P.L.2008, c.65 (C.40A:5-14.2 et al.), lease or convey property or improvements to any other party pursuant to this section, without public bidding and at such prices and upon such terms as it deems reasonable, provided that the lease or conveyance is made in conjunction with a redevelopment plan, notwithstanding the provisions of any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary.

     h.  Enter upon any building or property in any redevelopment area in order to conduct investigations or make surveys, sounding or test borings necessary to carry out the purposes of this act. 

     i.  Arrange or contract with a public agency for the relocation, pursuant to the "Relocation Assistance Law of 1967," P.L.1967, c.79 (C.52:31B-1 et seq.) and the "Relocation Assistance Act," P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-1 et seq.), of residents, industry or commerce displaced from a redevelopment area.

     j.  Make, consistent with the redevelopment plan: (1) plans for carrying out a program of voluntary repair and rehabilitation of buildings and improvements; and (2) plans for the enforcement of laws, codes, and regulations relating to the use and occupancy of buildings and improvements, and to the compulsory repair, rehabilitation, demolition, or removal of buildings and improvements. 

     k.  Request that the planning board recommend and governing body designate particular areas as being in need of redevelopment or rehabilitation in accordance with the provisions of this act and make recommendations for the redevelopment or rehabilitation of such areas. 

     l.  Study the recommendations of the planning board or governing body for redevelopment of the area. 

     m.  Publish and disseminate information concerning any redevelopment area, plan or project. 

     n.  Do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its powers.

     o.  Request expedited permit application reviews and approval, in accordance with P.L.2004, c.89 (C.52:27D-10.2 et al.), for property located in a redevelopment area, and utilize the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority for these purposes.

(cf: P.L.2008, c.65, s.8)

 

     20.  (New section)  a.  For all areas determined to be in need of redevelopment, the municipality shall submit to the Department of Community Affairs a map outlining the physical boundaries of the redevelopment area, the preliminary investigation report, and a copy of the ordinance making the determination.  This information shall be transmitted on or before the 60th day following the effective date of P.L.    , c.    (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) for areas that were determined to be in need of redevelopment on or prior to the effective date of P.L.    , c.    (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), or within 10 days after the area is determined to be in need of redevelopment after the effective date of P.L.    , c.    (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).  The municipality also shall disclose to the Department of Community Affairs, with updates as required by the department, an accounting of the cost of all municipal investments made in the redevelopment area subsequent to the final adoption of a resolution or ordinance, as applicable, determining the area as in need of redevelopment, including, but not limited to, the granting of tax exemptions, the issuance of density bonuses, and the value of municipal infrastructure provided in the implementation of the plan.  In addition, the municipality shall disclose any other public infrastructure to be provided in the redevelopment area using public funds.

     b.  For all condemnations of properties that occur in a condemnation redevelopment area pursuant to subsection c. of section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8), the municipality shall submit to the Department of Community Affairs a record of the condemnation and the compensation provided to the property owner on or before the 10th day following the taking.

     c.  Each year the Department of Community Affairs shall issue a report that lists the location of all areas currently determined to be in need of redevelopment in New Jersey; basic data for each area about its size, population, the status of the redevelopment plan implementation, the length of time the area has been designated as an area in need of redevelopment, an accounting of the cost of all municipal investments and an enumeration of other investments made in the area using public funds subsequent to the final adoption of an ordinance determining the area as in need of redevelopment, as set forth in subsection a. of this section, the number of times eminent domain has been used and the number of properties that have been condemned in each condemnation redevelopment area, and data on compensation received by property owners, when available.  This report shall be made available to the general public upon request and on the Department of Community Affairs Internet web site.

 

     21.  (New section)  a.  When a redevelopment entity seeks to acquire property for redevelopment purposes, the written offer of just compensation required under section 6 of P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-6) shall include the amount of the approved appraisal, the amounts required pursuant to section 26 of P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-26), plus:

     (1) reimbursement for reasonable costs to verify the appraisal on residential and small business property;

     (2) reimbursement for reasonable legal costs of the prospective condemnee to review the basis for condemnation on residential and small business property, up to $500;

     (3) lost rents for the period of time between the determination that an area is a condemnation redevelopment area and the date of the offer;

     (4) the amount of relocation assistance to which the prospective condemnee is entitled; and

     (5) with regard to a prospective condemnee who has an approved application for development under the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.), reimbursement of actual reasonable costs expended in securing the approval and in commencing any approved development.

     b.  When a redevelopment entity seeks to acquire property for redevelopment purposes, the amount of the written offer of just compensation required under section 6 of P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-6) shall be no less than the "replacement value" of the property.  For residential properties, "replacement value" means the approximate value of a residential property of similar size and quality under comparable conditions, within the municipality and within a reasonable distance of the property being condemned or otherwise acquired for redevelopment.  For properties other than residential properties, "replacement value" means the approximate value of a property of similar size and quality, able to be utilized for the same business purpose within the municipality or, if no comparable property is located within the municipality, within a reasonable distance of the property being condemned or otherwise acquired for redevelopment.

     c.  Notwithstanding the requirements of section 30 of P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-30) concerning the date for the determination of just compensation to the contrary, with regard to property being acquired for redevelopment purposes, the written offer made by the condemnor pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-6) and the determination of just compensation for the property shall be determined as of the date described in section 30 of P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-30) that results in the highest valuation for the property unless a determination based upon the date on which action is taken by the condemnor which substantially affects the value of the property of the condemnee results in a higher valuation.

     d.  If an offer with regard to property being acquired for redevelopment purposes is not accepted and the award of the condemnation commissioners is increased on appeal pursuant to section 13 of P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-13), then the condemnor also shall pay the condemnee's reasonable legal fees expended by the condemnee to appeal the commissioners' award.

     e.  No property shall be subject to condemnation for redevelopment purposes unless it has been identified for acquisition in the redevelopment plan or any amendment thereto, pursuant to paragraph (4), subsection a. of section 7 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-7).

     f.  When a non-blighted property is included in a condemnation redevelopment area, the property shall not be condemned.

     g.  Every resident and small business operator displaced as a result of a redevelopment project shall have a limited right of first refusal to purchase or lease a dwelling unit or business space subsequently constructed within the redevelopment project as set forth in this section: 

     (1) At such time residents and small business operators are provided notice under a workable relocation assistance program pursuant to law or regulation, they shall be provided with the opportunity to have their names entered into a registry of residents or a registry of small business operators, as the case may be, seeking the opportunity to purchase or lease a dwelling unit or business space, as the case may be, in the redevelopment project.  The registry shall be maintained by the municipal relocation officer designated under the workable relocation assistance program, a copy of which shall be forwarded to, and also maintained by, the Department of Community Affairs.

     (2) At such time that any residential development containing more than 10 dwelling units, or any nonresidential or mixed use development containing more than 18,000 square feet of floor area, shall be constructed in any redevelopment area as a redevelopment project, the developer shall notify each individual on the appropriate registry, by registered mail and by e-mail to their last known mailing or e-mail address, as may be available, of their opportunity to purchase or lease a dwelling unit or business space, as applicable.  It shall be the sole responsibility of the individual to maintain a current mailing address with the registry, and the developer shall be under no obligation to provide notice except as set forth in this subsection.

     (3) From the date of mailing of the notice, the individuals on the registry shall have 20 business days before the units in such development are offered to the general public in order to enter into a contract of purchase or a lease for a unit in the development. Such contract or lease shall be on the same terms and at the same price as those on which the unit is initially offered to the general public.

 

     22.  Section 14 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-14) is amended to read as follows:

     14.  a.  A delineated area may be determined to be in need of rehabilitation if the governing body of the municipality determines by resolution that a program of rehabilitation may be expected to prevent further deterioration and promote the overall development of the community and that there exist in that area conditions such that:

     (1) a significant portion of structures therein are in a deteriorated or substandard condition and there is a continuing pattern of vacancy, abandonment or underutilization of properties in the area, [with] which may be reflected in a persistent arrearage of property tax payments thereon; [or]

     (2) [more than half] a significant amount of the housing stock [in the delineated area is at least 50 years old, or a majority of the water and sewer] or infrastructure in the delineated area, or both, is [at least 50 years old and is] in need of repair or substantial maintenance; [and]

     (3) [a program of rehabilitation, as defined in section 3 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-3), may be expected to prevent further deterioration and promote the overall development of the community] (Deleted by amendment, P.L.    , c.   .) (pending before the Legislature as this bill);

     (4) areas with a significant portion of its buildings or improvements evidencing dilapidation, obsolescence, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light and sanitary facilities, excessive land coverage, deleterious land use or obsolete layout, or any combination of these or other factors; or

     (5) a growing lack or total lack of proper utilization of areas resulting in a stagnant or not fully productive condition of land potentially useful and valuable for contributing to and serving the public health, safety, and welfare.

     The resolution determining that the area is in need of rehabilitation shall be based upon a written report documenting the conditions that provide the basis for the determination that the area is in need of rehabilitation.  Where warranted by consideration of the overall conditions and requirements of the community, a finding of need for rehabilitation may extend to the entire area of a municipality.  Prior to adoption of the resolution, the governing body shall submit [it] the proposed resolution together with the report that provides the basis for the determination to the municipal planning board for its review.  Within 45 days of its receipt of the proposed resolution, the municipal planning board shall submit its recommendations regarding the proposed resolution, including any modifications which it may recommend, to the governing body for its consideration.  Thereafter, or after the expiration of the 45 days if the municipal planning board does not submit recommendations, the governing body may adopt the resolution, with or without modification.  The resolution shall not become effective without the approval of the commissioner pursuant to section 6 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-6), if otherwise required pursuant to that section.

     b.  A delineated area shall be deemed to have been determined to be an area in need of rehabilitation in accordance with the provisions of [this act] P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.) if it has heretofore been determined to be an area in need of rehabilitation pursuant to P.L.1975, c.104 (C.54:4-3.72 et seq.), P.L.1977, c.12 (C.54:4-3.95 et seq.) or P.L.1979, c.233 (C.54:4-3.121 et seq.).

     c.  (1) A municipality may adopt an ordinance declaring a renovation housing project to be an area in need of rehabilitation for the purposes of Article VIII, Section I, paragraph 6 of the New Jersey Constitution if the need for renovation resulted from conflagration.

     (2) For the purposes of this subsection, "renovation housing project" means any work or undertaking to provide a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling, to exclusively benefit a specific household, by the renovation, reconstruction, or replacement of the household's home on the same lot by either a charitable entity organized to perform home renovations or by a for-profit builder using 75% or more volunteer labor-hours to accomplish the construction for the project.  The undertaking may include any buildings; demolition, clearance, or removal of buildings from land; equipment; facilities; or other personal properties or interests therein which are necessary, convenient, or desirable appurtenances of the undertaking.

     d.  (1) A municipality may adopt an ordinance declaring a renovation housing project to be an area in need of rehabilitation for the purposes of Article VIII, Section I, paragraph 6 of the New Jersey Constitution if at least half of the number of people occupying the dwelling as their primary residence qualify for a federal income tax credit  pursuant to 26 U.S.C. s.22 as a result of being permanently and totally disabled and the improvements to be made to the dwelling are made substantially to accommodate those disabilities.

     (2) For the purposes of this subsection, "renovation housing project" means any work or undertaking to provide a decent, safe, and sanitary single-family dwelling, to exclusively benefit at least half of the number of people occupying a dwelling as their primary residence, by the renovation, reconstruction, or replacement of that dwelling on the same lot by either a charitable entity organized to perform home renovations or by a for-profit builder using 75% or more volunteer labor-hours to accomplish the construction for the project.  The undertaking may include any buildings; demolition, clearance, or removal of buildings from land; equipment; facilities; or other personal properties or interests therein which are necessary, convenient, or desirable appurtenances of the undertaking.

(cf: P.L.2007, c.91, s.1)

 

     23.  Section 15 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-15) is amended to read as follows:

     15.  In accordance with the provisions of a redevelopment plan adopted pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-7), a municipality or redevelopment entity may proceed with clearance, replanning, conservation, development, redevelopment and rehabilitation of an area in need of rehabilitation.  [With respect to a redevelopment project in] In an area in need of rehabilitation, the municipality or redevelopment entity, upon the adoption of a redevelopment plan for the area, may perform any of the actions set forth in section 8 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-8), except that [with respect to such a project] the municipality shall not have the power to use eminent domain to take or acquire private property by condemnation in furtherance of a redevelopment plan, unless [:  a. the area is within an area determined to be in need of redevelopment pursuant to this act; or b.] exercise of that power is authorized under any other law of this State. 

(cf: P.L.1992, c.79, s.15)

 

     24.  (New section) a.  Whenever a municipality or redevelopment entity wishes to enter into an agreement with a redeveloper and either (1) 20% or more of the redevelopment project or projects will be constructed on land owned by the municipality which will be conveyed to that redeveloper, or (2) 20% or more of the project or projects will be constructed upon land within an area in need of redevelopment that is subject to acquisition by the municipality or redevelopment entity pursuant to the redevelopment plan, then the municipality shall approve, by ordinance, a written agreement designating a redeveloper selected in accordance with this section. 

     b.  The municipality or redevelopment entity shall prepare or have prepared request for proposal documentation, which shall include: all requirements deemed appropriate and necessary to allow for full and free competition between potential redevelopers; information necessary for potential redevelopers to submit a proposal, including a copy of the redevelopment plan, a general description of the project or projects, and such municipal public records relating to buildings and improvements within the redevelopment area, including, but not limited to, services provided by public utilities, building permit, and assessment records; and a methodology by which the municipality will evaluate and rank proposals received from potential redevelopers.

     c.  The methodology for selecting a redeveloper shall be based on an evaluation and ranking which may include overall design, technical expertise, demonstrated experience on projects similar to the proposed project, the ability to finance the proposed project, and such other stated criteria as the municipality shall deem relevant.  

     d.  (1)  At no time during the proposal solicitation process shall the municipality or redevelopment entity, or any employee or agent thereof, knowingly convey information to the public or any potential redeveloper which could confer an unfair advantage upon that potential redeveloper over any other potential redeveloper.  If the municipality or redevelopment entity desires to change proposal documentation, the municipality or redevelopment entity shall notify only those potential redevelopers who received the proposal documentation of any and all changes in writing, and all existing documentation shall be changed appropriately.

     (2) Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be guilty of a crime of the fourth degree.

     e.  All proposals shall be required to contain a statement of corporate ownership in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1977, c.33 (C.52:25-24.2) and specifications concerning equal employment opportunity and affirmative action pursuant to P.L.1975, c.127 (C.10:5-31 et seq.), and the requirement that the work to be performed under the contract shall ensure that employment and other economic opportunities generated by the redevelopment project shall, to the greatest extent feasible, be directed to businesses that are located, and persons who reside, within the area determined to be in need of redevelopment or rehabilitation.

     f.  A notice of the availability of request for proposal documentation shall be published in an official newspaper of the municipality at least 30 days prior to the date established for the submission of proposals.  Such notice shall provide the name, address, and phone number of the person who can provide additional information and a proposal document to an interested party.  The municipality or redevelopment entity shall promptly reply to any request by an interested party by providing a copy of the request for proposals.  The municipality or redevelopment entity may charge a fee for the proposal documentation that shall not exceed $50 or the cost of reproducing the documentation, whichever is greater.

     g.  Each interested potential redeveloper shall submit a proposal which shall include all the information required by the request for proposals.  Failure to meet the requirements of the request for proposals may result in the municipality or redevelopment entity disqualifying the potential redeveloper from further consideration.

     h.  The municipality or redevelopment entity shall review and evaluate all proposals only in accordance with the methodology described in the request for proposals.  The review shall be conducted in a manner that avoids disclosure of the contents of any proposal prior to the selection of a redeveloper.  The municipality or redevelopment entity may conduct discussions with a potential redeveloper submitting a proposal for the purpose of clarifying the information submitted in the proposal.  The municipality or redevelopment entity may at any time revise its proposal document after the review of the submitted proposals if it notifies simultaneously, and in writing, each potential redeveloper that submitted a proposal of the revision and provides a uniform time within which the potential redevelopers may submit a revised proposal for review.

     i.  The municipality or redevelopment entity shall select the proposal that received the highest evaluation and shall negotiate an agreement with the potential redeveloper that submitted the selected proposal.  If the municipality or redevelopment entity is unable to negotiate a satisfactory agreement with the potential redeveloper that submitted the selected proposal, it may select the proposal that received the second highest evaluation from among those submitted and proceed to negotiate a satisfactory contract with the potential redeveloper that submitted that proposal.  The process shall continue until a redeveloper is selected or the process is abandoned by the municipality or redevelopment entity.  The decision to abandon the proposal process shall be by a resolution adopted by the governing body of the municipality or redevelopment entity.

     j.  After a redeveloper has been selected and a satisfactory agreement has been negotiated, but prior to the execution of the agreement by the governing body or redevelopment entity, the municipality or redevelopment entity shall prepare a report concerning the proposal selection process.  The report shall list the names of all potential redevelopers who submitted a proposal and shall summarize the proposals of each potential redeveloper.  The report shall contain objective, material reasons, such as, but not limited to, design, cost of materials, and square footage, as to why each potential redeveloper who was not selected, was rejected.  The report shall (1) rank the potential redevelopers in order of evaluation; (2) summarize, in general terms, any unsuccessful negotiations with potential redevelopers that submitted proposals which were ranked higher than the proposal of the selected redeveloper; (3) recommend the selected redeveloper; and (4) summarize the project to be undertaken and the relevant terms of the proposed agreement.  The municipal clerk shall make the report available to the members of the governing body of the municipality, to the members of the redevelopment entity when it is not the municipality, and to the public at least 48 hours prior to the introduction of an ordinance authorizing an agreement with the redeveloper. 

     k.  The governing body of the municipality or redevelopment entity shall have the right to reject all proposals for any reason, but such reason must be given and the municipality shall not authorize another request for proposals concerning the same project or projects for a period of 30 days after the date of rejection or abandonment by the governing body.

     l.  Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of a municipality to convey property within a redevelopment area for nominal consideration to any of the entities designated in section 21 of the "Local Lands and Buildings Law," P.L.1971, c.199 (C.40A:12-21) for any of the uses set forth therein, and to enter into redevelopment agreements with such entities for such uses without complying with the provisions of this section.

 

     25.  Section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1) is amended to read as follows:

     1.  The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall establish a rental assistance program for low income individuals or households.  This program shall be in addition to and supplement any existing programs established pursuant to the "Prevention of Homelessness Act (1984)," P.L.1984, c.180 (C.52:27D-280 et al.).

     a.  The program shall provide rental assistance grants comparable to the federal section 8 program, but shall be available only to State residents who are not currently holders of federal section 8 vouchers.

     b.  Assistance to an individual or household under the State program shall be terminated upon the award of federal section 8 rental assistance to the same individual or household.

     c.  The program shall reserve a portion of the grants for assistance to senior citizens aged  62 or older who otherwise meet the criteria of subsection a. of this section.

     d.  The program shall reserve a portion of the grants for assistance to veterans who have successfully completed the Veterans Transitional Housing Program, or "Veterans Haven," a vocational and transitional housing program for homeless veterans administered by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs.

     e.  (1) The program shall provide rental assistance, on a priority basis, to an individual or household that is on a fixed income and has been displaced because of a redevelopment project undertaken pursuant to the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law," P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.) for as long as the individual or household remains on fixed income. 

     (2) Notwithstanding maximum expenditure limitations contained in subsection a. of section 6 of P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-6) to the contrary, to the extent rental assistance provided under that subsection is not adequate to allow a displaced individual or household to lease or rent a comparable replacement dwelling, the redeveloper or redevelopment entity of a redevelopment project responsible for displacing an individual or household shall hold the State harmless from incurring the cost of providing rental assistance under this subsection for a period not to exceed five years from the commencement of the occupancy of the new dwelling unit.  The redeveloper or redevelopment entity shall, prior to any displacement, deposit with the Commissioner of Community Affairs the amount estimated by the commissioner to be necessary for this purpose. 

     (3) The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall adopt rules and regulations necessary to administer this program which shall include methodology to determine the amount a redeveloper or redevelopment entity shall deposit pursuant to this subsection and the maintenance of the priority list for individuals and households on fixed incomes displaced because of redevelopment projects. 

     (4) For the purposes of this subsection:

     "Fixed income" means receiving no steady income other than through pension, social security, public assistance, or other government benefits, which income does not exceed the applicable moderate regional income limits established by the Council on Affordable Housing.

(cf: P.L.2007, c.237, s.1)

 

     26.  (New section)  Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary:

     a.  A municipal redevelopment entity shall not: negotiate for, or enter into, a redevelopment agreement, other than an agreement awarded pursuant to a fair and open process, with any redeveloper to perform any work under a redevelopment plan, if, beginning after the adoption of a memorializing resolution directing preliminary investigation to determine if a site is in need of redevelopment, that redeveloper has made a contribution that exceeds $500 to any municipal committee of a political party in that municipality if a member of that political party is serving in an elective public office of that municipality when the contract is awarded or to any candidate committee of any person serving in an elective public office of that municipality when the contract is awarded.

     b.  No redeveloper described above who enters into a municipal redevelopment agreement to perform any work under a redevelopment plan shall make any of the aforesaid contributions during the term of any such redevelopment agreement.

     c.  None of the aforesaid committees shall accept a contribution in excess of the limits set forth above from such a redeveloper during the time periods set forth above.

     d.  Each committee described above shall use reasonable efforts to notify contributors and potential contributors that contributions to it may affect the ability of a redeveloper to enter into a redevelopment agreement.  Reasonable efforts shall include, but not be limited to, written notifications in fundraising solicitations or donor information request forms or other fundraising materials.

     e.  If a redeveloper makes a contribution that would otherwise bar it from negotiating for or entering into a redevelopment agreement or makes a contribution during the term of a redevelopment agreement in violation of this section, the redeveloper may request a full reimbursement from the recipient and, if such reimbursement is received within 60 days thereafter, the redeveloper shall again be eligible to negotiate or enter into a redevelopment agreement or shall no longer be in violation, as appropriate. 

     f.  Prior to entering into such a redevelopment agreement, a redevelopment entity shall require the redeveloper with which the redevelopment agreement is to be entered into to provide a written certification that it has not made a contribution that would bar the execution of a redevelopment agreement pursuant to this section. A redeveloper shall have a continuing duty to report to the Election Law Enforcement Commission any contribution that constitutes a violation of this section that is made during the duration of a redevelopment agreement.

     g.  As used in this section:

     "Fair and open process" means the process described in section 24 of P.L.     , c.   (C.      ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) or, at a minimum, that the redevelopment agreement shall be: publicly advertised in newspapers or on the Internet website maintained by the public entity in sufficient time to give notice in advance of the agreement; entered into under a process that provides for public solicitation of proposals or qualifications and entered into and disclosed under criteria established in writing by the public entity prior to the solicitation of proposals or qualifications; and publicly opened and announced when awarded.  The decision of a public entity as to what constitutes a fair and open process shall be final; and

     "Redeveloper" means any person, firm, corporation, or public body that negotiates for, or enters into, a redevelopment agreement with a municipal redevelopment entity for the redevelopment or rehabilitation of an area in need of redevelopment, or an area in need of rehabilitation, or any part thereof, or for any construction or other work forming a part of a redevelopment or rehabilitation project, and includes any principal who owns or controls more than 10 percent of the profits or assets of a redeveloper or 10 percent of the stock in the case of a redeveloper that is a corporation for profit, as appropriate.

 

     27.  (New section)  If a court finds that any notice required to be sent by mail under the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law," P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.), was defective, the court may order all or certain redevelopment activities to be suspended until the defective notices have been remedied and the interests of the parties accommodated to the court's satisfaction.  An affidavit executed by a municipal employee affirming that notices required to be posted under P.L.    , c.    (C.    ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) were duly posted shall protect a municipality from any challenge to the sufficiency of the posting of notices.

 

     28.  Section 5 of P.L.1996, c.62 (C.55:19-24) is amended to read as follows:

     5.  The authority shall have the following powers:

     a.  to sue and be sued;

     b.  to have a seal and alter the same at the authority's pleasure;

     c.  to enter into contracts upon such terms and conditions as the authority shall determine to be reasonable, including, but not limited to, reimbursement for the planning, designing, financing, construction, reconstruction, improvement, equipping, furnishing, operation and maintenance of the project and to pay or compromise any claims arising therefrom;

     d.  to make and alter bylaws for its organization and internal management and, subject to agreements with noteholders or bondholders, to make rules and regulations with respect to its projects, operations, properties and facilities;

     e.  to invest any funds held in reserve or sinking funds, or any moneys not required for immediate use and disbursement, at the discretion of the authority, in obligations of this State or of the United States, or obligations the principal and interest of which are guaranteed by this State or the United States;

     f.  to sell, lease, assign, transfer, convey, exchange, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any project, and in the case of the sale of any project, to accept a purchase money mortgage in connection therewith; and to lease, repurchase or otherwise acquire and hold any project which the corporation has theretofore sold, leased or otherwise conveyed, transferred or disposed of;

     g.  to acquire or contract to acquire from any individual, partnership, trust, association or corporation, or any public agency, by grant, purchase or otherwise, real or personal property or any interest therein; to own, hold, clear, improve, rehabilitate and develop, and to sell, assign, exchange, transfer, convey, lease, mortgage or otherwise dispose of or encumber the same;

     h.  to acquire in the name of the authority by purchase or otherwise, on such terms and conditions and such manner as it may deem proper any lands or interests therein or other property which it may determine is reasonably necessary for any project;

     i.  to acquire, construct, reconstruct, rehabilitate, improve, alter or repair or provide for construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, alteration or repair of any project;

     j.  to arrange or contract with a municipality for the planning, replanning, opening, grading or closing of streets, roads, roadways, alleys or other places, or for the furnishing of facilities or for the acquisition by a municipality of property or property rights or for the furnishing of property or services, in connection with a project;

     k.  to grant options to purchase any project or to renew any leases entered into by it in connection with any of its projects, on such terms and conditions as it may deem advisable;

     l.  to prepare or cause to be prepared plans, specifications, designs and estimates of costs for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, improvement, alteration or repair of any project, and from time to time to modify such plans, specifications, designs or estimates;

     m.  to manage any project, whether then owned or leased by the authority, and to enter into agreements with any individual, partnership, trust, association or corporation, or with any public agency, for the purpose of causing any project to be managed;

     n.  to hold any property owned or acquired by the authority in the name of the authority;

     o.  to provide advisory, consultative, training and educational services, technical assistance and advice to any individual, partnership, trust, association or corporation, or to any public agency, in order to carry out the purposes of P.L.1996, c.62 (C.55:19-20 et al.);

     p.  to issue, purchase, pledge and sell stock in projects of the authority and to purchase, sell or pledge the shares, or other obligations or securities of any subsidiary corporation, on such terms and conditions as the authority or subsidiary corporation may deem advisable;

     q.  subject to the provisions of any contract with noteholders, to consent to the modification, with respect to rate of interest, time of payment or any installment of principal or interest, security, or any other terms, of any loan, mortgage, commitment, contract or agreement of any kind to which the authority is a party;

     r.  in connection with any property on which it has made a mortgage loan, to foreclose on the property or commence any action to protect or enforce any right conferred upon it by any  law, mortgage, contract or other agreement, and to bid for or purchase the property at any foreclosure or at any other sale, or acquire or take  possession of the property; and in such event the authority may complete, administer, pay the principal of and interest on any obligations incurred in connection with the property, dispose of and otherwise deal with the property, in such manner as may be necessary or desirable to protect the interests of the authority therein;

     s.  to acquire, purchase, manage and operate, hold and dispose of real and personal property or interests therein, take assignments of rentals and leases and make and enter into all contracts, leases, agreements and arrangements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties;

     t.  to purchase, acquire and take assignments of notes, mortgages and other forms of security and evidences of indebtedness;

     u.  to extend credit or make loans to any person for the planning, designing, acquiring, constructing, reconstructing, improving, equipping and furnishing of a project, which credits or loans may be secured by loan and security agreements, mortgages, leases and any other instruments, upon such terms and conditions as the authority shall deem reasonable, including provision for the establishment and maintenance of reserve and insurance funds, and to require the inclusion in any mortgage, lease, contract, loan and security agreement or other instrument, such provisions for the construction, use, operation and maintenance and financing of a project as the authority may deem necessary or desirable;

     v.  to borrow money, secure credit against the assets of the authority on a temporary, short-term, interim or long-term basis and to issue bonds of the authority and to provide for the rights of the holders thereof, as provided in P.L.1996, c.62 (C.55:19-20 et al.);

     w.  to make short-term loans or advances to developers for construction in anticipation of the issuance of permanent loans;

     x.  to exercise sole authority for investment, reinvestment or expenditure of its revenues, fund balances and appropriations consistent with the purposes of P.L.1996, c.62 (C.55:19-20 et al.)  on projects and investments utilizing revenues from the sale of revenue bonds, which projects shall be subject to the approval of the State Treasurer, and the Treasurer's actions shall be based solely on his fiduciary role to ensure that all applicable federal and State tax laws are adhered to regarding the investment of bond funds;

     y.  notwithstanding any law to the contrary, and upon resolution of the municipal governing body, to act as the redevelopment agency of any municipality in which there is not established a redevelopment agency pursuant to subsection a. of section 11 of P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-11) and which is not precluded from establishing such an agency;

     z.  in connection with any application for assistance under P.L.1996, c.62 (C.55:19-20 et al.) or commitments therefor, to require and collect such fees and charges as the authority shall determine to be reasonable;

     aa.  to establish, levy and collect, in connection with any civic project or utilities project managed or operated by the authority, whether then owned or leased by the authority, user fees and facility charges;

     bb.  to procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property and other assets and operations, in such amounts and from such insurers as it deems desirable;

     cc.  to employ consulting engineers, architects, attorneys, real estate counselors, appraisers, and such other consultants and employees as may be required in the judgment of the authority to carry out the purposes of the act, and to fix and pay their compensation from funds available to the authority therefor, all without regard to the provisions of Title 11A, Civil Service, of the New Jersey Statutes;

     dd.  to contract for, and to accept, any gifts or grants or loans of funds or property or financial or other aid in any form from the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or from the State or a municipality or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or from any other source, and, subject to the provisions of P.L.1996, c.62 (C.55:19-20 et al.) and any other applicable law, to comply with the terms and conditions thereof;

     ee.  to create subsidiary corporations as provided in section 8 of P.L.1996, c.62 (C.55:19-27);

     ff.  to assist municipalities, counties, public or private county and municipal development agencies, district management corporations created pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1972, c.134 (C.40:56-68), community action boards established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1991, c.51 (C.52:27D-398), or sponsors of neighborhood empowerment organizations, in formulating and implementing community redevelopment plans, which shall include, but not be limited to, neighborhood restoration, residential development, and industrial and commercial development;

     gg.  to fund, or assist in funding, community redevelopment projects by municipalities, counties, public or private county and municipal development agencies, district management corporations created pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1972, c.134 (C.40:56-68), community action boards established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1991, c.51 (C.52:27D-398), or sponsors of neighborhood empowerment organizations, which shall include, but not be limited to, direct loan assistance, including loan guarantees, procuring capital from private developers and lending institutions, and facilitating access to State, federal, and private sources of loans or grants, including, but not limited to, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the Casino Redevelopment Authority;

     hh.  to assist in providing access to support services, including technical assistance and job training programs, for projects developed in connection with comprehensive community redevelopment plans and neighborhood empowerment programs established pursuant to this act;

     ii.  to provide assistance to urban areas in attracting industrial and commercial projects, in rehabilitating existing industrial and commercial facilities to restore them to productive use through the establishment of marketing programs and incentive programs;

     jj.  to assist in facilitating the work of the Office of Neighborhood Empowerment established pursuant to this act, which assistance shall include, but not be limited to, providing professional or technical expertise and funding for the establishment and implementation of neighborhood empowerment plans developed pursuant to this act;

     kk.  to enter into partnerships with private developers, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority or any other public entity, for the purpose of community redevelopment, and establish fees therefor;

     ll.  to enter into agreements with municipalities or counties regarding projects to be financed through the use of payment in lieu of taxes, as provided for in section 33 of P.L.1996, c.62 (C.55:19-52); [and]

     mm.  to do any and all things necessary or convenient to carry out its purposes and exercise the powers given and granted in P.L.1996, c.62 (C.55:19-20 et al.); and

     nn.  to have all of the powers and authority of the Smart Growth Ombudsman under P.L.2004, c.89 (C.52:27D-10.2 et al.), that are necessary to facilitate and expedite the review and approval of permits in areas determined to be in need of redevelopment pursuant to P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.).

(cf: P.L.1996, c.62, s.5)

 

     29.  R.S.40:8-1 is amended to read as follows:

     40:8-1.  The governing body of any county and the governing body of any municipality, or either of them, may acquire by gift, grant, purchase, condemnation or in any other lawful manner real estate or any right or interest therein for airport purposes and so use lands theretofore acquired for other public purposes and being used for airport purposes and erect thereon and maintain buildings for the airport purposes, except that no county, municipality, school district, or their agencies, shall acquire by condemnation any airport, or property bordering an airport, that has had its development rights purchased under section 11 of P.L.1983, c.264 (C.6:1-95), or any other law, or any property bordering an airport that is within the confines of a New Jersey Department of Transportation approved Master Plan, or an airport safety zone, as defined in section 3 of the "Air Safety and Zoning Act of 1983," P.L.1983, c.260 (C.6:1-82).

     Upon such acquisition or use, the governing body of any county and the governing body of any municipality, or either of them, may lease the real estate, so acquired, with or without consideration to the state of New Jersey, or any agency thereof, or may lease it to any person for such consideration and for such term of years as may be agreed upon.

(cf: R.S.40:8-1)

 

     30.  Section 12 of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-12) is amended to read as follows:

     12.  The rehabilitation or improvements made in the development or redevelopment of a redevelopment area or area appurtenant thereto or for a redevelopment relocation housing project, pursuant to P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-1 et seq.), shall be exempt from taxation for a limited period as hereinafter provided.  When housing is to be constructed, acquired or rehabilitated by an urban renewal entity, the land upon which that housing is situated shall be exempt from taxation for a limited period as hereinafter provided.  The exemption shall be allowed when the clerk of the municipality wherein the property is situated shall certify to the municipal tax assessor that a financial agreement with an urban renewal entity for the development or the redevelopment of the property, or the provision of a redevelopment relocation housing project, or the provision of a low and moderate income housing project has been entered into and is in effect as required by P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-1 et seq.).

     Delivery by the municipal clerk to the municipal tax assessor of a certified copy of the ordinance of the governing body approving the tax exemption and financial agreement with the urban renewal entity shall constitute the required certification.  For each exemption granted pursuant to P.L.2003, c.125 (C.40A:12A-4.1 et al.), upon certification as required hereunder, the tax assessor shall implement the exemption and continue to enforce that exemption without further certification by the clerk until the expiration of the entitlement to exemption by the terms of the financial agreement or until the tax assessor has been duly notified by the clerk that the exemption has been terminated.

     Upon the adoption of a financial agreement pursuant to P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-1 et seq.), a certified copy of the ordinance of the governing body approving the tax exemption and the financial agreement with the urban renewal entity shall forthwith be transmitted to the Director of the Division of Local Government Services.  The governing body also shall post information concerning the financial agreement, and the tax exemption granted thereunder, on its official Internet web site, if any, along with similar information concerning every other financial agreement in effect in the municipality, in a form as determined appropriate through rule and regulation of the director.  A database of financial agreements in effect throughout the State, including details identifying the parties, the effective dates, the amounts of the exemptions granted, and the amount of any service charges also shall be published electronically by the director on the Internet web site of the Department of Community Affairs, to the extent that those data are available.

     Whenever an exemption status changes during a tax year, the procedure for the apportionment of the taxes for the year shall be the same as in the case of other changes in tax exemption status during the tax year.  Tax exemptions granted pursuant to P.L.2003, c.125 (C.40A:12A-4.1 et al.) represent long term financial agreements between the municipality and the urban renewal entity and as such constitute a single continuing exemption from local property taxation for the duration of the financial agreement.  The validity of a financial agreement or any exemption granted pursuant thereto may be challenged only by filing an action in lieu of prerogative writ within 20 days from the publication of a notice of the adoption of an ordinance by the governing body granting the exemption and approving the financial agreement.  Such notice shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality and in a newspaper of general circulation in the county if different from the municipal newspaper.

     a.  The duration of the exemption for urban renewal entities shall be as follows: for all projects, a term of not more than 30 years from the completion of the entire project, or unit of the project if the project is undertaken in units, or not more than 35 years from the execution of the financial agreement between the municipality and the urban renewal entity. 

     b.  During the term of any exemption, in lieu of any taxes to be paid on the buildings and improvements of the project and, to the extent authorized pursuant to this section, on the land, the urban renewal entity shall make payment to the municipality of an annual service charge, which shall remit a portion of that revenue to the county as provided hereinafter. In addition, the municipality may assess an administrative fee, not to exceed two percent of the annual service charge, for the processing of the application.  The annual service charge for municipal services supplied to the project to be paid by the urban renewal entity for any period of exemption, shall be determined as follows:

     (1) An annual amount equal to a percentage determined pursuant to this subsection and section 11 of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-11), of the annual gross revenue from each unit of the project, if the project is undertaken in units, or from the total project, if the project is not undertaken in units.  The percentage of the annual gross revenue shall not be more than 15% in the case of a low and moderate income housing project, nor less than 10% in the case of all other projects.

     At the option of the municipality, or where because of the nature of the development, ownership, use or occupancy of the project or any unit thereof, if the project is to be undertaken in units, the total annual gross rental or gross shelter rent or annual gross revenue cannot be reasonably ascertained, the governing body shall provide in the financial agreement that the annual service charge shall be a sum equal to a percentage determined pursuant to this subsection and section 11 of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-11), of the total project cost or total project unit cost determined pursuant to P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-1 et seq.) calculated from the first day of the month following the substantial completion of the project or any unit thereof, if the project is undertaken in units.  The percentage of the total project cost or total project unit cost shall not be more than 2% in the case of a low and moderate income housing project, and shall not be less than 2% in the case of all other projects. 

     (2) In either case, the financial agreement shall establish a schedule of annual service charges to be paid over the term of the exemption period, which shall be in stages as follows: 

     (a) For the first stage of the exemption period, which shall commence with the date of completion of the unit or of the project, as the case may be, and continue for a time of not less than six years nor more than 15 years, as specified in the financial agreement, the urban renewal entity shall pay the municipality an annual service charge for municipal services supplied to the project in an annual amount equal to the amount determined pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and section 11 of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-11).  For the remainder of the period of the exemption, if any, the annual service charge shall be determined as follows: 

     (b) For the second stage of the exemption period, which shall not be less than one year nor more than six years, as specified in the financial agreement, an amount equal to either the amount determined pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and section 11 of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-11), or 20% of the amount of taxes otherwise due on the value of the land and improvements, whichever shall be greater; 

     (c) For the third stage of the exemption period, which shall not be less than one year nor more than six years, as specified in the financial agreement, an amount equal to either the amount determined pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and section 11 of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-11), or 40% of the amount of taxes otherwise due on the value of the land and improvements, whichever shall be greater;

     (d) For the fourth stage of the exemption period, which shall not be less than one year nor more than six years, as specified in the financial agreement, an amount equal to either the amount determined pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and section 11 of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-11), or 60% of the amount of taxes otherwise due on the value of the land and improvements, whichever shall be greater; and

     (e) For the final stage of the exemption period, the duration of which shall not be less than one year and shall be specified in the financial agreement, an amount equal to either the amount determined pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and section 11 of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-11), or 80% of the amount of taxes otherwise due on the value of the land and improvements, whichever shall be greater. 

     If the financial agreement provides for an exemption period of less than 30 years from the completion of the entire project, or less than 35 years from the execution of the financial agreement, the financial agreement shall set forth a schedule of annual service charges for the exemption period which shall be based upon the minimum service charges and staged adjustments set forth in this section.

     The annual service charge shall be paid to the municipality on a quarterly basis in a manner consistent with the municipality's tax collection schedule.

     Each municipality which enters into a financial agreement on or after the effective date of P.L.2003, c.125 (C.40A:12A-4.1 et al.) shall remit 5 percent of the annual service charge to the county upon receipt of that charge in accordance with the provisions of this section.

     Against the annual service charge the urban renewal entity shall be entitled to credit for the amount, without interest, of the real estate taxes on land paid by it in the last four preceding quarterly installments.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or of the financial agreement, the minimum annual service charge shall be the amount of the total taxes levied against all real property in the area covered by the project in the last full tax year in which the area was subject to taxation, and the minimum annual service charge shall be paid in each year in which the annual service charge calculated pursuant to this section or the financial agreement would be less than the minimum annual service charge.

     c.  All exemptions granted pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-1 et seq.) shall terminate at the time prescribed in the financial agreement.

     Upon the termination of the exemption granted pursuant to the provisions of P.L.1991, c.431 (C.40A:20-1 et seq.), the project, all affected parcels, land and all improvements made thereto shall be assessed and subject to taxation as are other taxable properties in the municipality.  After the date of termination, all restrictions and limitations upon the urban renewal entity shall terminate and be at an end upon the entity's rendering its final accounting to and with the municipality.

(cf: P.L.2003, c.125, s.11)

 

     31.  Section 3 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.3) is amended to read as follows:

     3.  The commissioner shall annually allocate from the receipts of the portion of the realty transfer fee directed to be credited to the Neighborhood Preservation Nonlapsing Revolving Fund pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1968, c.49 (C.46:15-8) and pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1975, c.176 (C.46:15-10.1) such amounts as may be necessary to fund rental assistance grants authorized by P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1 et al.), provided that not less than $3 million be annually allocated for the purposes of subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1) and not less than $7 million be annually allocated for the purposes of subsection a. and subsection d. of section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1) after subsection e. of section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1) has been fully funded.

(cf: P.L.2007, c.208, s.2)

 

     32.  This act shall take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following enactment.  Any final action taken by a municipality or redevelopment entity with respect to: a determination that an area is in need of redevelopment or in need of rehabilitation; enactment of a redevelopment plan; or designation of a redeveloper, or approval of a redevelopment agreement, prior to the effective date of this act shall have full force and effect, but any subsequent official action by the municipality or redevelopment entity after the effective date of this act shall be subject to its provisions.

STATEMENT

 

     This bill would amend the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law," P.L.1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-1 et al.), the "Eminent Domain Act of 1971," P.L.1971, c.361 (C.20:3-1 et seq.), and the "Relocation Assistance Act," P.L.1971, c. 362 (C.20:4-1 et seq.).  The bill seeks to balance concerns articulated by competing interest groups in order to:

·      preserve the ability of municipalities to redevelop blighted areas;

·      enhance the notice and hearing requirements afforded property owners and tenants under current law; and

·      ensure just compensation and appropriate relocation benefits for property owners and tenants impacted by eminent domain and redevelopment projects.

     Sections 1 and 2 of the bill would amend the "Eminent Domain Act of 1971" (EDA) to enhance the exchange of information between prospective condemnors and condemnees during the negotiations that must take place before a condemnor may take private property for a public purpose.  Changes to these sections will apply to all condemnation proceedings under State law, not just those for redevelopment purposes.  As amended, the bill would:

·    require a condemnor to provide a prospective condemnee with a copy of the appraisal being used to determine the amount that the condemnor is offering to purchase the property;

·    allow a condemnee to provide information to and raise issues with the condemnor's appraiser;

·    require the appraiser to consider the condemnee's information and issues when estimating the fair market value of the property;

·    require the appraiser to transmit the condemnee's information and issues, in writing, to the condemnor;

·    require the appraisal to reflect value attributable to the location of the property;

·    provide condemnees a 45-day period to review the offer (extendable up to 70 days total) with rights to:

o            request more information from the condemnor,

o            meet with a representative of the condemnor, and

o            obtain their own appraisals. 

     Sections 3 through 9 of the bill would increase benefits under the "Relocation Assistance Act" (RAA) by:

·      clarifying that property owners whose properties are acquired (not just condemned) by public entities are entitled to relocation assistance;

·      increasing relocation assistance (for the first time since 1971);

·      enhancing rental assistance; and

·      introducing automatic annual increases to statutory relocation assistance payment amounts to reflect inflation.

     Section 10 amends the "Municipal Land Use Law," P.L.1975, c.291 (C.40:55D-1 et seq.), to authorize, but not require, municipal master plans to contain a redevelopment plan element to identify redevelopment areas, rehabilitation areas and areas that may be designated for redevelopment or rehabilitation in the future in order to help link redevelopment planning with other municipal activities.

     Sections 11 through 27 of the bill reform the "Local Redevelopment and Housing Law" (LRHL), allowing municipalities to continue to use eminent domain in order to redevelop blighted areas while establishing greater protections for property owners and others impacted by condemnations for redevelopment purposes.  Under the bill a municipality willing to redevelop a blighted area without using eminent domain would follow procedures similar to those under current law.  A municipality intending to use eminent domain in order to redevelop a blighted area would follow a procedure providing those who would be affected by a redevelopment project with enhanced notice and greater opportunity to express their concerns.

     Section 11 amends N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-3, the definitional section of the LRHL.  In addition to some technical changes, this section would prohibit a taking agency from utilizing eminent domain to take lands and buildings as part of a redevelopment area if the land or building is not detrimental to the public health, safety, or welfare.  All property condemned by a taking agency must be blighted.  Current law does not cap the amount of non-blighted property a municipality may include in a redevelopment area. Section 11 also modifies the definition of "rehabilitation" to provide that the term includes the demolition of existing structures.

     Section 12 (amending N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-4) contains a provision protecting certain farm land from condemnation for redevelopment purposes.  This section also clarifies that property acquired for redevelopment purposes must be consistent with environmental restrictions set forth in other laws and property covenants.

     Section 13 (amending N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-5) revises the criteria used to determine if an area is blighted.  It adopts criteria that are consistent with the meaning of the term "blight" under the State Constitution, according to the New Jersey Supreme Court decision in Gallenthin Realty Development, Inc. v. Borough of Paulsboro, 191 N.J. 344 (2007).  The bill provides that a municipal governing body determination that an area is in need of redevelopment must conclude that:

·        the deterioration or stagnation of the delineated area negatively affects surrounding properties because of a statutory blight criterion;

·        the condition or conditions of blight are the prevailing characteristics of the delineated area;

·        each non-blighted parcel included within the delineated area is necessary for the effective redevelopment of the area and is an integral part of that area; and

·        there is objective evidence of a statutory blight criterion within the delineated area.

     Several of the blight criteria contained in this section are changed.  The bill deletes subsection h., the smart growth basis for blight, from the section.  The bill adds a new basis for a blight determination, being contaminated property that has remained vacant or substantially underutilized for at least two years.

     Sections 14 and 15 of the bill will allow a municipality two alternate ways to designate redevelopment areas depending upon whether the municipality wants to have the power to utilize eminent domain for redevelopment purposes in the area.  Under section 14 (amending N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-6), a non-condemnation redevelopment area (in which eminent domain could not be used) could be designated under procedures similar to those contained in current law.  Under section 15, a municipality could designate a condemnation redevelopment area by following new procedures that provide greater notice and other transparency requirements than those contained under current law in order to ensure that property owners who could end up losing their property are afforded adequate notice of that possibility.

     Section 15 codifies the Appellate Division decision in Harrison Redev. Agency v. DeRose, 398 N.J. Super. 361 (App. Div. 2008) which specified the "constitutionally-essential components" for notice under the LRHL.  This section will clearly inform property owners that a condemnation area designation will place their property at risk of being taken for redevelopment purposes and will inform them of the time frame within which they can contest the designation.  Additionally, this section affords greater protections than those required under DeRose.  By requiring municipalities to file notices of blight determinations at county recording offices, potential purchasers of properties located in a condemnation redevelopment area will be made aware that the property is subject to being taken.

     Section 16 provides that redevelopment area designations will lapse after a set period of time, dependent upon whether progress is being made toward redeveloping the area.  Under this section, redevelopment area designations will not lapse as long as work is ongoing.

     Section 17 amends N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-7 to expand the scope of redevelopment plans to identify the benefits and costs that can be envisioned through the redevelopment of the area.  In addition to an analysis of the land use controls, a redevelopment plan would be required to contain an inventory of environmental, historical and cultural assets within the redevelopment area, together with preservation and conservation strategies for such assets.  Additionally, the redevelopment plan would need to quantify the impact of the plan on surrounding areas and the legal obligations applicable to low and moderate income persons within the municipality and the relocation needs arising from any displacement of residents or businesses as a result of the plan.  A redevelopment plan would estimate the number of jobs, temporary and permanent, that will be available to low and moderate income residents of the redevelopment area.  A redevelopment plan would also need to document consistency with smart growth planning principles.

     Section 18 details numerous steps to enhance the transparency of the adoption of redevelopment plans in condemnation redevelopment areas, addressing issues such as notice and hearings and affording both affected residents and the general public the opportunity to inspect proposed redevelopment plans.

     Section 19 amends N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-8 to require redevelopment entities to offer relocation assistance to people and businesses in a redevelopment area prior to subjecting them to safety risks.  This section would also limit the period of time within which property may be acquired by condemnation under the LRHL to five years from the adoption of the redevelopment plan for a condemnation redevelopment area or five years of an amendment or revision thereto; and

     Section 20 provides that the Department of Community Affairs must annually issue a report on the use of redevelopment in New Jersey.

     Section 21 ensures that owners whose properties are taken for redevelopment projects are fairly compensated and limits the use of eminent domain for redevelopment purposes.  This section:

·        specifies that properties acquired for redevelopment must be valued at no less than the replacement value of the property;

·        provides that "non-blighted" property included in a condemnation redevelopment area could only be condemned if the condemnor certifies that it has exhausted all avenues to acquire the property, that acquisition of the property cannot be negotiated despite its best efforts, and that the property is necessary to the viability of the redevelopment project; and

·        bestows upon every resident and small business operator displaced because of redevelopment, a right of first refusal to purchase or lease property in the redevelopment area post-development.

     Sections 22 and 23 amend N.J.S.A 40A:12A-14 and N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-15 by expanding the criteria for areas in need of rehabilitation.  These changes will permit certain property to be designated an area in need of rehabilitation if it would be qualified for designation as an area in need of redevelopment under current law, but will no longer qualify for redevelopment area designation under the terms of the bill, as amended.

     Section 24 sets forth a process for selecting redevelopers for large redevelopment projects.

     Sections 25 and 31 of the bill provide that persons living on fixed incomes who are displaced because of a redevelopment project would be entitled to receive State rental assistance on a priority basis.

     Section 26 bans certain contributions by redevelopers from the onset of the redevelopment process to the completion of the redevelopment agreement.

     Section 27 provides that if a court finds any mailed notice required under the LRHL to be defective, the court may order all or certain redevelopment activities suspended until the defect is remedied.  This section also protects municipalities from challenges based on a failure to properly post notices so long as a municipal employee affirms that notices were duly posted

     Section 28 provides the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority with all the powers and authority of the smart growth ombudsman necessary to facilitate and expedite permits in redevelopment areas.

     Section 29 protects certain airports from eminent domain.

     Section 30 amends N.J.S.A. 40A:20-12 to establish a reporting requirement for financial agreements and tax exemptions granted under the "Long Term Tax Exemption Law."

     Section 32, the bill's effective date, "grandfathers in" existing redevelopment activities to the extent they have matured.  Final actions taken under current law before the 1st day of the 4th month after the bill is signed, such as designation of a redevelopment area, adoption of a redevelopment plan or execution of a redevelopment agreement, would remain valid and be given full force and effect.  Future actions would be subject to the provisions of the bill, as amended by the committee.