40:55D-138 Findings, declarations relative to transfer of development rights by municipalities.

2. The Legislature finds and declares that as the most densely populated state in the nation, the State of New Jersey is faced with the challenge of accommodating vital growth while maintaining the environmental integrity, preserving the natural resources, and strengthening the agricultural industry and cultural heritage of the Garden State; that the responsibility for meeting this challenge falls most heavily upon local government to appropriately shape the land use patterns so that growth and preservation become compatible goals; that until now municipalities in most areas of the State have lacked effective and equitable means by which potential development may be transferred from areas where preservation is most appropriate to areas where growth can be better accommodated and maximized; and that the tools necessary to meet the challenge of balanced growth in an equitable manner in New Jersey must be made available to local government as the architects of New Jersey's future.

The Legislature further finds and declares that the "Burlington County Transfer of Development Rights Demonstration Act," P.L.1989, c.86 (C.40:55D-113 et al.), was enacted in 1989 as a pilot transfer of development rights (TDR) program to demonstrate the feasibility of TDR as a land use planning tool; and that the Burlington County pilot program has been a success and should now be expanded to the remainder of the State of New Jersey in a manner that is fair and equitable to all landowners.

The Legislature therefore determines that it is in the public interest to authorize all municipalities in the State to establish and implement TDR programs.

L.2004,c.2,s.2.