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Mantoloking council advances and adopts broad Chapter 30 land‑use changes; Planning Board to refine details
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 2026-10 amending Chapter 30 (Land Use Regulations) and introduced related sign and sales ordinances. Councilmembers flagged inconsistencies across chapters and directed further review by the Planning Board and subcommittees.
The Mantoloking Borough Council held a public hearing on May 19 and adopted Ordinance 2026-10, which amends Chapter 30 of the borough code governing land use. The ordinance updates definitions (for example, accessory structures, lot coverage, habitable floor), building footprint and wing‑connection standards, and regulates fences, retaining walls, flagpoles, attached garages and native landscaping.
Councilmember Sandy Diehl raised concerns that the Chapter 30 revisions should be read in conjunction with Chapters 16, 18 and 22 because several provisions interact. She flagged inconsistencies, including language affecting Bay Avenue and protections tied to preexisting grade conditions, and asked for assurance that the Planning Board would review and reconcile those matters.
Borough Engineer Larry Plevier told the council that some code provisions reflect state mandates such as stormwater regulations and that the code is a “living document” that can be revised over time. He said staff and the borough’s planner would work with the Planning Board and a subcommittee and would await the outcome of a pending Board of Adjustment appeal regarding preexisting grades before finalizing all changes. Councilwoman Joann Lygas encouraged residents to submit written questions to the Zoning Board secretary so concerns can be addressed in Planning Board review.
The council also introduced Ordinance 2026-11 (sign regulation changes) and Ordinance 2026-12 (creating Chapter 27 to regulate garage, estate and personal property sales). Those ordinances were introduced on first reading and scheduled for further consideration; Ordinance 2026-13 (a $45,000 capital appropriation from reserves) was also introduced.
The ordinance package and the Planning Board review process are intended to reconcile technical definitions and state-driven standards with local practice; the council emphasized further public participation at Planning Board hearings as the recommended next step.
