Assemblywoman Murphy Introdues Bill to Safeguard Historic Districts from Warehouse Development

Founded nearly a century before the United States, New Jersey is home to a wealth of historic sites that are integral to our cultural heritage. Preservation of these landmarks is vital to keeping history alive. 

The bill defines historic districts as properties, structures, areas, and objects listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) or on the New Jersey Register of Historic Places or designated as a historic site or historic district by the State Historic Preservation Officer. The Garden State is home to approximately 200 recognized historic sites, according to the NRHP, including locations like the Absecon Lighthouse and Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, Flemington Historic District, Downtown Paterson, and the Naval Air Station Wildwood. 

The legislation would forbid counties and municipalities, as well as other approving authorities, from authorizing site plans for the construction of a large warehouse within 1,000 feet of these historic districts.

In Allentown, the effort to protect their Historic District highlights the very issue Assemblywoman Murphy aims to prevent by keeping warehouses at a distance from historically significant areas.

In February 2024, a proposal for a new warehouse complex in Upper Freehold, which borders Allentown, led to a nearly year-long battle. The debate included the need to protect historic sites, including the British encampment that General George Washington ordered his soldiers to intercept. After multiple planning board meetings, in December 2024, the Upper Freehold planning board voted to approve the warehouse complex, which will be located just 100 feet from Allentown.

“Coming up on our nation’s 250th anniversary, protecting the historic nature of our state from the harms of warehouse sprawl is crucial. That is why I am so thankful to Assemblywoman Carol Murphy for introducing bill A5241, which would prohibit warehouses on lots of land within 1,000 feet of historic districts,” said Tom Fritts, Allentown Mayor. “While this legislation is limited in its scope of applicability, it will go a long way toward protecting historic districts from increased stormwater damage, unsafe truck traffic, environmental harms, and threats to the livelihoods of residents in historic districts across the state. This bill has made great progress in the Senate, and I, along with the residents of Allentown and historic districts statewide, look forward to its swift passage.”