52:27I-19 Findings, declarations relative to Fort Monmouth economic revitalization.

2. The Legislature finds and declares that:

a. The closure and revitalization of Fort Monmouth is a matter of great concern for the host municipalities of Eatontown, Oceanport, and Tinton Falls; for Monmouth County; and for the State of New Jersey.

b. The economies, environment, and quality of life of the host municipalities, Monmouth County, and the State will benefit from the efficient, coordinated, and comprehensive redevelopment and revitalization of Fort Monmouth. The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority was established pursuant to P.L.2006, c.16 (C.52:27I-1 et seq.) to plan for the comprehensive conversion and revitalization of Fort Monmouth, so as to encourage enlightened land use and to create employment and other business opportunities for the benefit of the host municipalities, of that county and the entire State. On September 4, 2008, the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority submitted a comprehensive conversion and revitalization plan for Fort Monmouth, known as the "Fort Monmouth Reuse and Redevelopment Plan," and a homeless assistance submission to the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, as required under the applicable federal Base Closure and Realignment law and regulations. The Fort Monmouth Reuse and Redevelopment Plan is the result of an extensive, coordinated, and collaborative process conducted by the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Planning Authority, and reflects input from the host municipalities, Monmouth County, State departments and agencies and the general public as to the future of Fort Monmouth.

c. Upon acceptance by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development as required under applicable federal Base Closure and Realignment law and regulations, the Fort Monmouth Reuse and Redevelopment Plan will constitute the plan for the redevelopment and revitalization of Fort Monmouth to be implemented pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of this act.

d. A coordinated and comprehensive redevelopment and revitalization of Fort Monmouth will be facilitated by establishing and empowering a new authority, to be known as the "Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority," to implement the Fort Monmouth Reuse and Redevelopment Plan, including the adoption of any modifications or amendments to the Fort Monmouth Reuse and Redevelopment Plan and the adoption of development and design guidelines and land use regulations in furtherance thereof, as provided in this act.

e. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (EDA) has substantial and significant experience with partnering with local communities and leveraging public-private partnerships. The EDA manages large scale, redevelopment projects, utilizes a system of internal controls and procedures to ensure the integrity of redevelopment activities, and maintains a staff with a wide range of experience in redevelopment projects, real estate, finance, and job creation. To this end, an office is to be created within the EDA staffed by such EDA employees on a part or full time basis as the EDA determines necessary to carry out the functions of the office.

f. Furthermore, because of the experience and expertise of the EDA in redevelopment projects, it is appropriate to authorize the authority established by this act to enter into a designated redevelopment agreement with the EDA for the redevelopment of Fort Monmouth. The activities of the EDA as a designated redeveloper pursuant to the designated redevelopment agreement are to be accounted for, managed and supervised separately and apart from the activities of the office established by this act, notwithstanding the possible sharing of staff between the EDA's activities as a designated redeveloper and EDA's activities in staffing the office.

g. The host municipalities have an ongoing interest in the implementation of the plan, and the planning boards of the host municipalities have knowledge, expertise, and experience as well as procedures in place for reviewing and approving proposed subdivisions and site plans as provided in this act.

L.2010, c.51, s.2.