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Upper Township votes to pursue ordinance to combine planning and zoning boards into a joint land-use board
Summary
Citing lower workload and possible cost savings, the committee voted to pursue drafting an ordinance to dissolve the zoning board and expand the planning board to assume zoning functions under the Municipal Land Use Law; public hearings will follow any proposed ordinance.
The Upper Township Committee on Aug. 22 voted to pursue an ordinance to merge the borough’s planning board and zoning board of adjustment into a single joint land-use board.
Township solicitor John Amnhouser explained the legal mechanism under the Municipal Land Use Law: the governing body may dissolve the zoning board and expand the planning board so it assumes both planning and zoning functions by ordinance. He cautioned that reversing the action later would require a public referendum.
Committee members said the current workload does not justify separate boards in the long term and discussed practical steps including adding alternates, adjusting escrow fees to cover professional services, and providing training for planning-board members who would need to hear variance requests.
"We could have special meetings if needed," one member said, noting past experiences with multiple special sessions for large projects. The committee voted by roll call to pursue drafting the ordinance and begin the public process.
Next steps: staff will prepare ordinance language for introduction, identify adjustments to escrow and professional-service budgets if needed, and schedule public hearings before any adoption. The committee emphasized opportunities for public input throughout the process.
