“New Jersey is the densest state in the country so making decisions about how and where to develop is increasingly important. The State Planning Commission plays a critical role in guiding development and land preservation, and, after years of inactivity, was reconstituted last year, albeit with the minimum number of members for a quorum. We are excited to see 2020 kick off with four new members: Bruce Harris, mayor of Chatham; Shanel Robinson, Somerset County Freeholder; Tom Wright, president and CEO of the Regional Plan Association; and Elizabeth Terenik, senior project manager at the Atlantic City Development Corporation.

These new members bring a wealth of planning experience and will be a tremendous asset to the Commission. We are hopeful that the three remaining vacancies will be filled this year and that the Commission will be set to address climate change and emerging land use trends in the state.”