Despite the substantial impediments to development in the Highlands imposed upon over half of the acreage in the region as a result of the Highlands Act, environmentalists are not satisfied. Several last minute amendments to the plan proposed by the environmental lobby on the eve of the Highland Council’s public hearing to vote on the Highlands master plan were rejected. As a result, environmental groups have been lobbying Governor Corzine to veto the Highlands master plan.

The latest argument being presented to defeat the current master plan is that the master plan adopted by the Highlands Council does not take into account the new affordable housing rules and legislation (A-500/S-1783), which was signed into law by the Governor on July 17 – the same date the Highlands master plan was voted on by the Council. As a result, environmentalists argue, the Governor must veto the plan so the Council will incorporate the changes to the Fair Housing Act into the plan.

The Star Ledger reports on the perceived incongruities between the plan and A-500 here.