Consultant presents amended Allendale land use plan draft; board to schedule work session

A consultant introduced a draft amended Allendale land use plan (dated Jan. 14) at the Jan. 15 Land Use Board meeting and asked members to review the document before a work session or public hearing.

The consultant summarized the plan—s table of contents and flagged several elements: an "emerging issues" section that captures regional and local land-use concerns, a proposed new goal addressing warehouse-related development, and a mandatory section on public electric vehicle infrastructure that maps likely commuter parking and charging locations. He also said the borough—s draft would reference the pending New Jersey State Plan and noted the county master plan when relevant.

As a companion, the consultant said a hazard vulnerability assessment will be available within one to two weeks and recommended the board consider that document alongside the master plan text. He suggested the board could adopt the draft now and amend it later if the state plan finalizes language that materially affects borough classifications; several board members recommended reading the full draft and submitting comments to the clerk for consolidation.

Board members asked the consultant to capture more detail about the planned public EV charging locations and to consider regional smoke impacts and other hazard vulnerabilities that have become more prominent in recent years. The consultant said the plan can be amended and that members— comments will be folded into a revised draft for a February meeting or a separate work session if needed.

The board did not take a formal vote on the plan at the Jan. 15 meeting; members were urged to send consolidated comments through the clerk so staff can prepare the next draft for committee review.