Real Estate
An extension for projects stalled by economy
Developers pin construction hopes on
bill that would keep valid permits in
place through December 2012
unemployment was roughly 5.5 tempted to take approved projects
percent. Now that it is at 10 percent, the need to other states if the approvals expired.
to promote development is greater, he said. However, environmental groups said they
BY AnDREW KITCHEnMAn The measure, A-4347 and S-3137, is “Projects that already have a lot of invest- would like to see more work on the bill.
DEVELOPERS WILL HAVE an additional 30 opposed by environmental groups, with ment in them will be held harmless,” Touhey New Jersey Environmental Lobby offi-
months to move forward with projects that some saying that the extension violates a said of the new bill. cial Mike Pisauro said
have received government approvals under compromise included in the act, which was Touhey described legislative support for the extension would force
a bill advancing through the Legislature. The passed in 2008. the measure as a sign that lawmakers both towns to move forward
bill would extend the planned expiration of New Jersey Sierra Club director Jeff Tittel understand and are concerned about the condi- with projects that no lon-
the Permit Extension Act from June 30, 2010, said the extension doesn’t take into consider- tions that new developments face, including the ger meet its needs or that
to Dec. 31, 2012. ation the environmental impact and zoning credit market. If the bill doesn’t pass, “it would violate state laws passed
Developer Thomas Critelli said it is criti- changes, such as those included in Newark’s have caused a continued negative impact on since the permits were first
cally important that the bill is passed. master plan. investments that are frozen in time,” he said. approved.
“Our industry is still struggling to get back “My concern is that it will grandfather a Touhey predicted that the credit market The Senate Economic Timothy J. Touhey
on its feet,” said Critelli, president of Paramus- lot of bad projects, as well as some good ones,” and other factors affecting developments will Growth Committee voted 5-0 to release the bill.
based Danitom Development Inc. said Tittel, who described the bill as a “Christ- not lift until 2012. “I think it’s an important “This recovery has been a lot, lot slower
Critelli has two developments in Burling- mas gift” for developers. time frame,” he said. and longer than I think anyone anticipated,”
ton and Ocean counties that have stalled due New Jersey Builders Association Chief Mary Ellen Peppard, New Jersey Cham- said state Sen. Raymond J. Lesniak (D-Union).
to the sluggish real estate market and frozen Executive Officer Timothy J. Touhey said ber of Commerce vice president, said the “I think we need this bill.” u
credit market. the 2008 extension was made at a time when chamber is concerned busi