N.J. Admin. Code § 7:7-9.20

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 9, May 6, 2024

Section 7:7-9.20 - Barrier island corridor

(a) Barrier island corridors are the interior portions of oceanfront barrier islands, spits and peninsulas. Along the New Jersey Coast, headlands are located between Monmouth Beach, Monmouth County and Pt. Pleasant Beach, Ocean County.

1. The oceanfront barrier island corridor encompasses that portion of barrier islands, spits and peninsulas (narrow land areas surrounded by both bay and ocean waters and connected to the mainland) that are upland of wetlands, beach and dune systems, filled water's edges, and existing lagoon edges. Barrier island corridor does not include the headlands of northern Ocean County, Monmouth County, and the southern tip of Cape May County, which are part of the mainland.

(b) New or expanded development within the oceanfront barrier island corridor is conditionally acceptable provided that the development complies with the requirements for impervious cover and vegetative cover that apply to the site under N.J.A.C. 7:7-13.

(c) Rationale: All of New Jersey's barrier islands and spits, except for Pullen Island in the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge, are developed to varying degree, largely as a result of incremental decisions made beginning more than 100 years ago. Because the public facilities (roads and utilities) necessary to support urban and resort development already exist, and should be protected on New Jersey's barrier islands, and because development pressure is intense on barrier islands, infill projects are conditionally acceptable. Extensions of development on barrier islands and spits are discouraged.

The rule recognizes the diversity of New Jersey's barrier islands, from Absecon Island with the resort city and urban center of Atlantic City to Long Beach Island with largely single-family seasonal homes. Implementation of the policy is expected to reinforce the existing character of New Jersey's developed barrier islands and not add appreciably to the public service costs and emergency evacuation (in times of hurricanes) problems of these islands.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:7-9.20

Renumbered from 7:7E-3.20 by 47 N.J.R. 1392(a), effective 7/6/2015

Amended by 50 N.J.R. 361(a), effective 1/16/2018