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West Amwell Land Use Board elects Sean Pfeiffer chair, hires new attorney and planner as 2026 priorities set
Summary
At its Jan. 20 reorganization meeting, the West Amwell Township Land Use Board elected Sean Pfeiffer as chair, approved Kevin Van Hise as board attorney (with one dissent), appointed Joanna Slagle as planner, set subcommittees and listed priorities including a livestock ordinance and Master Plan review.
The West Amwell Township Land Use Board held its reorganization meeting on Jan. 20, 2026, electing Sean Pfeiffer as chair and outlining a set of priorities for 2026 including by‑laws work, a Master Plan re‑examination and development of a proposed livestock ordinance.
The Board approved several organizational resolutions and appointments. A roll‑call motion to approve Sean Pfeiffer as chair passed with Pfeiffer abstaining on his own election. Members voted unanimously to name John Hoff vice chair and to appoint Maria Andrews as Land Use Board secretary.
Members discussed two proposals for board counsel before adopting Resolution LUB#2026‑04 to appoint Kevin Van Hise of Mason Griffin & Pierson as the Land Use Board attorney. The board recorded a single dissent: Connor Montferrat opposed the appointment. Board members said the township will retain former Land Use Board attorney Tara St. Angelo for ongoing Mt. Laurel/affordable‑housing litigation, while bringing Van Hise on for regular Land Use Board matters. Board member Brian Fitting and others said Van Hise would provide a fresh perspective; Montferrat questioned the change and the hourly cost difference. When asked whether the hourly rate was the same, Ms. Deal noted Van Hise’s rate is about $40 per hour higher than the prior attorney.
The Board also approved Resolution LUB#2026‑05 to appoint Van Cleef Engineering (Tom Decker and Rob O’Brien) as Board engineer and Resolution LUB#2026‑06 to appoint Joanna Slagle of Banisch Associates as Board planner. Members noted a requested proposal from another planner was not submitted for consideration.
On financial matters the board approved payment of agenda vouchers while holding a $164 bill from Banisch Associates for further information. The Board unanimously voted to carry a site‑plan application for 1422 Route 79, LLC (Block 8 Lot 23.02) to the Feb. 17, 2026 meeting with no further public notice required.
Chairman Pfeiffer listed items he wants on the Feb. 17 agenda: the 2026 Land Use Board budget, by‑laws, recording meetings, township e‑mail procedures, asking the Township Committee to add a LUB update to its agenda, a livestock ordinance, review of cannabis and agricultural‑structure standards, a Master Plan re‑examination report and review of the Natural Resource Inventory.
During a roundtable, new and returning members introduced themselves and stated priorities. Connor Montferrat said the current zoning code is “archaic” and urged public visioning workshops; Carrie Sargeant, a professional forester, said she wants to focus on Master Plan work and stewardship; others emphasized preserving West Amwell’s rural character and mitigating litigation exposure.
In public comment, Technology Committee member Dave Beaumont said CivicPlus training is complete and website migration is likely in late February; he also said he will re‑send Master Plan comments that he believes were not incorporated in the July draft. Prospective buyer Bryce Istvan asked about the timeline for placing an application on the Board agenda.
The Board approved the Dec. 16, 2025 minutes (with several abstentions noted) and adjourned at 8:40 PM. The Land Use Board’s next regular meeting was set for Feb. 17, 2026.
