Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee adopts zoning and code changes, approves requirement for non-binding referendum on large shared-service contracts
Summary
The Carneys Point Committee adopted zoning and code amendments including changes related to medical and adult-use cannabis and approved an ordinance requiring non-binding public referendums for shared-service contracts over $500,000; several other ordinances were introduced.
Carneys Point Township Committee on Dec. 3 adopted and introduced multiple ordinances affecting zoning, public safety and local governance.
The Committee adopted Ordinance 2025-1074, which amends township code provisions related to medical cannabis and adult-use cannabis in specified districts; Mayor Brown opened the ordinance for comment and no public speakers objected before the Committee adopted the change. The Committee also adopted Ordinance 2025-1077, which requires any shared-services contract exceeding $500,000 to be submitted to a non-binding public referendum. Resident Greg Martin asked about timing for the referendum; Township Solicitor A. Telsey replied that the likely timeframe is 80 days prior to the election as stated in the minutes.
Other ordinances were introduced (motion to introduce and unanimous votes recorded) including 2025-1079 (amendment to a financial agreement/PILOT), 2025-1080 (fencing regulations for swimming pools and spas), 2025-1081 (financial agreement with Carneys Shell Urban Renewal LLC) and 2025-1082 (regulation of food trucks). The minutes record unanimous Committee votes to introduce or adopt those ordinances where applicable.
Why this matters: The zoning and code amendments could affect future development patterns, cannabis-related land use and public engagement on large shared-service contracts. The referendum ordinance establishes a $500,000 threshold that will trigger non-binding public input on major shared agreements.
Meeting notes and next steps: The minutes show that introduced ordinances will proceed through the normal adoption process and, where adopted, will be enforced according to township code. The timing for any referendum triggered by the new ordinance will depend on contract award dates and the electoral calendar.
Quotes from the meeting: "Any contract for Shared Services over $500,000 will go to the public for a non-binding vote," Mayor Brown said when introducing the ordinance. Solicitor A. Telsey said the timeframe to place such items on an election is likely 80 days prior to the election, as discussed in the meeting minutes.
