Council to revise demolition oversight and consider higher planning/zoning fees after repeated over-the-limit work

Following several cases this year in which demolition work exceeded 50% of a structure without being brought to the planning board, Washington Township Council asked staff to tighten oversight and consider higher planning and zoning fees.

Administration described new internal procedures: consolidation of building, planning and zoning staff in a common office to improve real-time review, explicit notation of permitted demolition percentages on permits, and stronger coordination among the UCC official, the township engineer and zoning staff. "We made sure there's communication between the township engineer, the UCC, and the zoning and planning office with specific notes being put in the file folder," Administration said.

Council also raised a separate but related concern: low application fees and recurring problems with escrow account replenishment for planning and zoning professional invoices. Staff said Grace (planning assistant) had surveyed neighboring towns and that Paramus and others will be used as comparators; council instructed staff to propose fee levels and enforcement measures (liens or improved checklist requirements) so professional firms are paid and projects do not stall.

Members emphasized balancing fee increases against making the process prohibitive for homeowners, but several council members said current fees are low compared with surrounding towns and recommended raising fees to better self-fund inspections and engineering reviews. Administration will prepare a proposed fee schedule and enforcement options for council review.