The governing body of any municipality may by resolution authorize the commencement of studies and the development of preliminary plans and specifications relating to the creation and maintenance of a pedestrian mall facility or special improvement district, including, whenever possible, estimates of construction and maintenance, and costs and estimates of potential gross benefit assessment.
In the case of a special improvement district, these studies and plans may include criteria to regulate the construction and alteration of facades of buildings and structures in a manner which promotes unified or compatible design.
N.J.S. § 40:56-70