Oradell planning board to review bylaws after debate over whether chair or subcommittees should run hearings

The Oradell Planning Board debated how it should run hearings and manage applications during its Feb. 3 meeting, with board member Mr. Darian presenting research and proposed bylaw language to guide a decision.

Mr. Darian outlined three models: giving the planning-board chair authority to run the entire meeting for consistency and a cleaner procedural record; allowing subcommittee chairs to manage specific applications to reduce chair workload and speed hearings; and a hybrid in which the chair presides but subcommittee chairs take the lead on technical testimony once applicants are sworn in. He said some municipalities his review covered use subcommittees successfully but noted trade-offs in fairness and recordkeeping.

“Having the planning board chairman be the presiding officer … is beneficial because it’s a cleaner record,” Mr. Darian said, while acknowledging that delegating application management to subcommittee chairs can reduce chair burnout and speed hearings.

A second board member thanked Mr. Darian for the research, urged all members to review the bylaws in the coming weeks and asked him to circulate suggested language. The board agreed to place a bylaw-review item on next month’s agenda; any change to the bylaws would require a unanimous vote, a procedural requirement noted during the discussion.

The discussion did not produce a formal motion or vote on bylaw changes. The board’s next step is to review the circulated bylaw proposals and address the matter at its next regular meeting.