Planning board hears update on master plan and learns mayor and council did not advance parking ordinance

Planning board members were briefed on progress for the Township of Washington master plan and learned that the mayor and council did not advance proposed changes to parking rules for boats, commercial vehicles and RVs.

A board member reported that Joe Burgess and his team are preparing a draft of the master plan, including the town’s affordable housing plan, and that the committee expects a draft in November. The master plan consultant has been handling many municipalities’ housing plans, the board heard, which has delayed the timetable.

Separately, members were told that the mayor and council did not move forward with an ordinance that would have regulated the parking of boats, RVs and commercial vehicles. The reason given at council was strong public turnout and opposition from residents and from tradespeople who said the proposed limits could harm their ability to park work vehicles at home. The board was told lake association members also opposed restrictions on storing boats on private property.

Board members also discussed whether the planning board should have a formal process to address chronic absences by members. One speaker recalled a recent zoning board matter in which a member’s absences prompted the mayor and planning leadership to discuss the issue and a resignation followed. The board did not adopt a formal removal procedure at the meeting; officials said the mayor and chair address attendance concerns on a case-by-case basis.

There were no public speakers during the meeting’s general public portion.

No formal action on the master plan or on attendance policy was taken; the update was informational and the board will await Joe Burgess’ draft for further review and public meetings once the draft is released.