What is the purpose of the residential density criteria?
A. Moderate to high densities result in more efficient land use and can support transit service successfully. At higher residential densities, homes share infrastructure and resources more effectively. Such compact neighborhoods are more walkable and accessible by transit and, thus, decrease dependence on automobiles. Because of these factors, the Smart Growth Tax Credit requires a minimum level of residential density but, since it applies to the overall average residential density of a development, a wide variety of lot sizes and housing types can qualify for the tax credit. The particular threshold included in the legislation’s required residential density criteria is based on the minimum average density that can be expected to realistically support adequate transit service and create walkable neighborhoods. Reducing the minimum density specified in the New Jersey legislation may compromise the legislation’s ability to achieve those fundamental goals, but some adjustments to the dens
