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Allendale council introduces three ordinances on budget cap and accessory-structure setbacks
Summary
At its March 27 meeting the Allendale Mayor and Council introduced three ordinances: a cap‑bank measure to allow exceeding municipal appropriation limits and two land‑use amendments aimed at limiting tall accessory structures and clarifying rules for nonconforming additions. All were set for further consideration in April.
The Allendale Mayor and Council on March 27 introduced three ordinances on first reading aimed at giving the borough more budget flexibility and tightening rules for accessory structures.
Mayor Lazinski said the first measure, Ordinance 25‑005, would establish a cap bank and permit the borough to exceed the ordinary municipal appropriation limit (the town’s standard cap increase cited in discussion is 2.5%) and—if needed—authorize an additional 1% to reach a 3.5% cap. Allison, the borough finance lead, explained the cap‑bank mechanism allows unused cap to be carried forward to accommodate unexpected appropriations in future years.
The council also introduced two land‑use ordinances. Ordinance 25‑006 would amend code provisions governing additions to nonconforming structures; Ordinance 25‑007 would amend rules for accessory buildings, changing how required setback distances relate to a structure’s height so that very tall accessory buildings can no longer be sited only 6 feet from a property line. A council member noted the changes target accessory structures that are not intended for habitation and emphasized the code already prohibits living in those buildings.
The clerk read each ordinance on first reading and announced publication dates and the scheduled dates for final passage (ordinance 25‑005 set for final passage on April 24, 2025; ordinances 25‑006 and 25‑007 set for April 10, 2025). The introductions passed on voice or roll‑call as the council moved to publish the ordinances for public hearing.
The measures returned to the agenda for formal public hearing and final action in April.
