DEPARTMENTS
Planning & Zoning
Planning Board
The Planning Board consists of nine regular members and two alternate members who are residents of the town and appointed by the Mayor. The Board meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 8:00 p.m. in the court room at Town Hall. A reorganization meeting is held in January to appoint the Board’s own professionals, elect a Chairperson and various other appointments, and establishing meeting dates for the year.
The Planning Board processes applications for “permitted uses” for subdivisions and site plans. Applications are reviewed by the Board professionals and when deemed complete, are scheduled before the Board for a public hearing. Each town has its own ordinances which establishes rules to be met by an applicant.
The Planning Board also prepares the Master Plan. Any amendments have to be submitted to the Planning Board for their review.
Zoning Board of Adjustment
The Zoning Board of Adjustment meets the first and third Thursday of each month at 8:00 p.m. in the court room at Town Hall. It consists of 7 regular members and two alternate members who are residents of the town and are appointed by the Mayor. A reorganization meeting is held in January to appoint the Board’s own professionals, elect a Chairperson and various other appointments and establishing meeting dates for the year.
The Zoning Board hears cases for “non-permitted uses” and variances. They are the only entity that can grant a use variance. The zoning ordinance establishes specific requirements for a zone which regulates uses for that zone, setbacks, and other regulations specific to a zone. The burden of proof lies with the applicant to prove specific criteria in order to obtain a variance.
Eleanor J. Ruggiero, Administrative Officer
Planning & Zoning Department
Phone: (732) 446-8350
Fax:(732) 446-0134