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Jackson council adopts planning-fee and land-acceptance ordinances, advances stormwater mapping and $8.54M capital bond
Summary
At its Oct. 16 meeting the Jackson Township Council adopted ordinances updating planning and zoning fees and accepting a parcel from Westlake Master Association, and introduced first-read ordinances for stormwater mapping ($437,800 special emergency appropriation), master plan funding and an $8.54 million capital bond package. All roll-call votes listed were recorded in the meeting minutes.
Jackson Township’s governing body handled a slate of ordinances Oct. 16, adopting two second-reading ordinances, adopting an ordinance establishing a rental housing bureau, and advancing several first-reading measures that will return for public hearings later in October and November.
The council unanimously adopted ordinance 202536, which amends fees for applications to the Jackson Township Planning and Zoning office. No members of the public spoke during the hearing; the council closed public comment and recorded unanimous 'yes' votes.
The council also unanimously adopted ordinance 202537, authorizing acceptance of a portion of Block 12701 Lot 12.75 from Westlake Master Association, following another public hearing with no speakers.
Earlier in the meeting the council introduced several first-reading ordinances and set public hearings: ordinance 202539 (a special emergency appropriation of $437,800 under NJSA 40A:4-53i to complete township stormwater mapping; public hearing Oct. 28, 2025); ordinance 202540 (amendments to residential density standards in the highway commercial mixed-use zone; hearing Nov. 13, 2025); ordinance 202541 (increase of a special emergency appropriation for master plan preparation from $275,000 to $525,000; hearing Oct. 28, 2025); and ordinance 202542 (a bond ordinance appropriating $8,542,440 for 2025 general capital improvements including road, drainage, police equipment and technology upgrades; hearing Oct. 28, 2025).
Council President Morty Bernstein summarized the capital ordinance’s intended uses — roadway, drainage and sidewalk improvements; police department upgrades including vehicles and radio equipment; DPW equipment and motor pool purchases; facility repairs; and senior center buses — and asked colleagues to coordinate with bond counsel and the CFO before the second reading.
Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 202536 (fees for Planning & Zoning applications): adopted; recorded yes votes from Councilman Blli, Councilman Bresie, Council Vice President Paul Mary and Council President Morty Bernstein.
- Ordinance 202537 (acceptance of Westlake parcel): adopted; recorded unanimous yes votes from council members present.
- Ordinance 202538 (Division of Rental Housing Safety): adopted; see separate coverage for implementation details.
- Ordinance 202539 (special emergency appropriation $437,800 for stormwater mapping): introduced on first reading; public hearing Oct. 28, 2025.
- Ordinance 202540 (land-use residential density changes): introduced on first reading; public hearing Nov. 13, 2025.
- Ordinance 202541 (master plan appropriation increase to $525,000): introduced on first reading; public hearing Oct. 28, 2025.
- Ordinance 202542 (2025 general capital improvements bond: $8,542,440): introduced on first reading; public hearing Oct. 28, 2025.
Other notes from the meeting included a mayoral announcement that Jackson secured an $875,000 federal DOJ grant for the police department and a $70,000 recreation grant for pickleball court supplies; DPW reported on park maintenance and a townwide storm drain mapping project; and the council affirmed submission of the state best-practices inventory to secure full 2025 state aid.
The meeting concluded after public comment on development, municipal payment methods and other local concerns; council authorized settlement discussions for pending litigation (Stoer v. Jackson Township) and adjourned.
