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Lebanon committee tables ordinance to move zoning board powers to Planning Board
Summary
The Lebanon Township Committee tabled Ordinance No. 17-2024, which would consolidate the Zoning Board of Adjustment’s powers into the nine-member Planning Board and amend related municipal code sections; the committee requested further review before introduction. (Tabled)
Mayor Beverly Koehler said the Township Committee delayed action on a proposed code change that would transfer the powers of the Zoning Board of Adjustment to the municipal Planning Board.
The committee discussed Ordinance No. 17-2024, which cites N.J.S.A. 40:55D-25(c)(1) and would abolish the Zoning Board of Adjustment as of Jan. 1, 2025, grant its powers to the Planning Board, and amend Chapter 45 (Land Use Procedures) to update membership and alternate-member language. Township Attorney Mark Roselli explained statutory limits on Class I and Class III participation for certain relief applications and described required code substitutions and membership changes in §45-24 (membership and alternates).
Committee members raised procedural and substantive concerns, including the timing of pending Zoning Board applications (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-72.1), the need to ensure Class I/III members do not participate in certain matters, and the municipal code edits required to effect the change. After discussion, the committee voted to table the ordinance for additional work and review; the motion to table was made by Committeeman Jay Wojcik and seconded by Committeeman Tom McKee and carried unanimously.
The tabling leaves any pending Zoning Board applications to be heard under existing procedures until the committee returns with a revised draft. The committee did not set a new hearing date and indicated staff and the township attorney would prepare additional revisions for future consideration.
