Shabazz Calls for Return of Atlantic City's Planning and Zoning Authority

ATLANTIC CITY — Atlantic City Councilman Kaleem Shabazz is renewing his call for the state to return planning and zoning authority to the city, arguing that the current system creates unnecessary costs, delays and duplicate reviews for developers.

During an appearance Friday on WOND's Off The Press with Scott Cronick, Shabazz criticized the provisions of S-11, the state law enacted during New Jersey's takeover of Atlantic City's finances that transferred many planning and zoning responsibilities to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA).

"I am a warrior for S-11," Shabazz said. "CRDA needs to be out of the business of planning and zoning for the City of Atlantic City."

Shabazz argued the city already has qualified planning and zoning boards made up of local volunteers, along with an experienced planning department capable of reviewing development proposals.

"In Atlantic City, we have a zoning board and a planning board comprised of dedicated local volunteers who have made intelligent, rational decisions," he said.

He also praised the city's Planning and Development Department, noting its long history of overseeing major projects.

"We have a planning and development department that has a history of developing over 13 casinos," Shabazz said. "We're doing major developments now."

According to Shabazz, requiring developers to seek approvals through both Atlantic City and CRDA creates unnecessary duplication.

"For CRDA to be involved in planning and development in the City of Atlantic City is redundant, it's duplicative, and it adds expense to development for private developers and local people."

He said Atlantic City Council has unanimously supported restoring planning authority to the city and noted that Mayor Marty Small has also publicly expressed support for the change.

"The mayor... agreed with me," Shabazz said. "CRDA needs to be out of the business of planning and zoning for the City of Atlantic City."

The issue resurfaced during the interview when a caller argued the current approval process discourages investment by increasing costs and delaying projects.

Shabazz agreed that eliminating the additional layer of review would make Atlantic City more attractive to developers.

He also criticized state Sen. Vince Polistina, saying he believes more attention should have been given to repealing the S-11 provisions affecting planning and zoning.

"Our desire is to make sure that Atlantic City is open for business," Shabazz said. "Removing unnecessary barriers helps us continue the redevelopment momentum we're seeing throughout the city."