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Washington Township zoning board recommends higher application fees and escrow minimums
Summary
After reviewing neighboring towns and recent project costs, the zoning board voted to recommend the Township Council raise application fees and minimum escrows: $250 per new residential variance, $1,000 for commercial D-variances, residential escrow $3,500 and commercial escrow by estimate with a $7,500 minimum.
The Township of Washington Zoning Board on Dec. 16 recommended that the Township Council raise several user fees and escrow minimums to better cover professional review costs and reduce post-approval billing problems.
Board members said the change responds to higher engineering and legal costs and draws on comparisons with neighboring municipalities. After extended discussion, the board agreed on $250 per new residential variance, $1,000 as a starting application amount for nonresidential/commercial D-variances and a residential escrow deposit of $3,500. For commercial and multifamily applications the board recommended escrow be determined “by estimate” from professionals with a $7,500 minimum posted at application.
The board noted that large commercial projects often require substantially more professional time. One member said the municipal land use law process allows professionals to recommend an initial escrow and that a flat minimum would not always be practical. Another member emphasized the administrative cost of refunding small differences and said, “I would rather have more than less,” urging higher upfront escrows to avoid repeated billing and refunds.
The board also recommended the council consider enforcement mechanisms to address unpaid professional invoices and asked staff to update the board’s applicant checklist so completeness reviews occur before hearings. Staff said the clerk will circulate applications to the planner, engineer and attorney for a rapid estimate so applicants know the escrow requirement before a hearing date is set.
The board voted unanimously to forward the fee and escrow recommendations, with a request that the Township Council review the proposed amounts and consider a six- to 12-month reassessment after implementation.
Next steps: the board will finalize recommended language and send a cover letter to the Council in January. The board asked the engineer and attorney to help draft any ordinance language the Council may require.
