Where is the state going in terms of development? That’s being determined right now, as the latest revision to update the 2001 New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan is now at the public hearing stage – and it couldn’t come at a more critical time for the state.

“New Jersey is at a crossroads,” the report says. “While rich in assets by way of its people, location and natural resources, New Jersey’s process of planning for and regulating physical and economic development hampers its ability to compete for and capitalize on growth opportunities.”

The state’s current framework for land-use decisions, it continues, has not been effective. From 2002 through 2007, in fact, per capital consumption of land in the state was five times 1985 levels. And last summer, Rowan University released a study saying that continuing current development trends could lead to the state literally running out of space in 20 to 30 years.

The report recommends that the state identify what it calls Regional Innovation Clusters to organize companies and their supporting firms geographically, preferably near existing transportation. State dollars will be concentrated toward “Priority Growth Investment Areas” such as major urban centers. Land preservation also is included in the plan.

Read the full plan and report and comment either by email or in person at a public hearing. The next presentations and public hearings on the plan are scheduled, all beginning at 6 p.m., on: February 13 at Richard Stockton College in Galloway, NJ; February 16 at the Offices of Government Service at the Gloucester County Clayton Complex in Clayton, NJ; February 23 at the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority in Newark; February 27 at the Freylinghuysen Arboretum in Morris Township, NJ; February 28 at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, NJ; and March 1 at the Rutgers University EcoComplex in Bordentown. More details on the locations are here.