Proposal to merge planning board and board of adjustment advances for study; ordinance possible Oct. 16 introduction

At the Oct. 2 meeting a committee member proposed merging the planning board and the board of adjustment into a joint land use board to reduce duplicate administrative effort and cut costs for secretarial services and meetings.

Proponents said the township has had few planning applications this year and combining boards could reduce idle meetings and make the township’s professional services (planner, board attorney, engineer) more uniform. Committee members discussed statutory constraints under the Municipal Land Use Law, membership differences (planning boards commonly have nine members; zoning/board-of-adjustment bodies typically have seven), and the need to adopt an ordinance and reappoint members to a new body if the change proceeds.

"I think it makes sense to combine the 2 into a land use for it," one committee member said, arguing consolidation would save time and expense. Others cautioned about volunteer availability and noted some residents prefer having two separate hearings for procedural reasons. Mark (committee attorney) outlined the mechanics — an ordinance is required, appointments must be made, and certain parties (for example, the mayor or council members) may need to recuse on use-variance matters.

Committee members agreed to explore templates (examples from other municipalities were suggested) and to notify existing board members about the proposal. The committee discussed aiming to introduce an ordinance on Oct. 16 with an effective date to be determined if the ordinance is adopted and appointments completed.

No ordinance was adopted Oct. 2; committee members directed staff and counsel to prepare draft language and to provide notice to the boards ahead of any formal introduction.