To cut down on the complexity of the municipal permitting process, I intend to introduce legislation to help expand the use of “specific plans.” Currently, planners use specific plans to provide a more detailed plan for development within a certain area. When a developer proposes to develop the land consistently with the specific plan, the developer can take advantage of a streamlined approval process and proceed directly to final subdivision and land development approval.
 
Specific plan authorization was originally added to the Municipalities Planning Code nearly 25 years ago as part of a larger effort to encourage planning through multi-municipal comprehensive plans. However, the MPC only allows them to be implemented through these plans and limits them to non-residential development.
 
My legislation would authorize individual municipalities to adopt specific plans and allow both residential and non-residential development to be covered under them. Expanding specific plans was part of the State Planning Board’s 2023 recommendations for streamlining local permitting and development.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation that will give municipalities another tool to plan their communities and streamline development.