N.J. Admin. Code § 7:7-9.38

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 8, April 15, 2024

Section 7:7-9.38 - Public open space

(a) Public open space constitutes land areas owned or maintained by State, Federal, county and municipal agencies or private groups (such as conservation organizations and homeowner's associations) and used for or dedicated to conservation of natural resources, public recreation, visual or physical public access or, wildlife protection or management. Public open space also includes, but is not limited to, State Forests, State Parks, and State Fish and Wildlife Management Areas, lands held by the New Jersey Natural Lands Trust (13:1B-15.1 19 et seq.), lands held by the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (58:1B-1 et seq.) and designated Natural Areas (13:1B-15.1 2a et seq.) within DEP-owned and managed lands.

(b) New or expanded public or private open space development is encouraged at locations compatible or supportive of adjacent and surrounding land uses.

(c) Development that adversely affects existing public open space is discouraged.

(d) Development within existing public open space is conditionally acceptable, provided that the development is consistent with the character and purpose of public open space, as described by the park master plan when such a plan exists.

(e) Development in Atlantic City is acceptable within existing public open space provided the public open space is a street right-of-way or the Boardwalk and the development meets the standards of 7:7-9.47(e) through (j).

(f) Provision of barrier free access to public open space is encouraged.

(g) All new development adjacent to public open space will be required to provide an adequate buffer area and to comply with the buffers and compatibility of uses rule, 7:7-16.11. The buffer required will be dependent upon adjacent land uses and potential conflicts between users of public open space and the proposed adjacent land use.

(h) Rationale: As the urbanization of New Jersey continues and leisure time increases, open space will play an increasingly important role in maintaining a desirable living environment for the residents of New Jersey. While the supply of open space has decreased under the growing pressure for development, the State's expanding population will require more public open space to satisfy its needs.

Not only is open space the basic resource for recreation facility development, it also performs other worthwhile functions. Open space can create public spaces in densely settled areas, shape urban growth, provide buffers between incompatible uses, retain contiguous farmland, insure the preservation of wildlife corridors, increase the economic value of adjacent land, and preserve distinct architectural, historic, and geologic sites. In addition, undeveloped and minimally developed open space can positively affect water quality by, for example, absorbing stormwater runoff.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:7-9.38

Renumbered from 7:7E-3.40 by 47 N.J.R. 1392(a), effective 7/6/2015

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