Planning board finds Church Street overlay amendment consistent with master plan

The Bernardsville Planning Board voted to adopt a resolution finding that an amended overlay-zone ordinance for Church Street is consistent with the borough master plan. The chair described the change as a clarification of how building height/elevation is measured in the overlay — measured from the lowest point along the front yard/Route 202 — and moved that the board adopt the consistency resolution.

Why it matters: The board’s consistency finding is a procedural step required under state municipal planning rules before ordinances proceed through the governing body; by finding the ordinance consistent with the master plan, the board cleared a step in the local review process for the Church Street overlay amendment.

What happened at the meeting: After the chair presented the clarification on elevation measurement and members discussed the need for explicit language in the ordinance, a motion to adopt the resolution was seconded. The board then conducted a roll-call vote; members answering in sequence recorded affirmative votes. The chair stated the motion carried.

Details and transcript notes: The motion language in the transcript reads, in part, that the board "approve the resolution finding that, amended ordinance 21 6 20 41 is consistent with master plan." The ordinance numbering and some wording in the transcript appear garbled; the board recorded the motion and a second and completed a roll-call vote with all present members voting yes.

Next steps: The board will forward its consistency determination to the governing body as part of the ordinance adoption process.