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Ocean Township approves inaugural land-use board roster after heated debate over process
Summary
After months of dispute over how the new unified land-use board would be selected, the council voted to approve a slate of inaugural members and alternates following public criticism that the mayor's role and the selection process lacked transparency.
The Ocean Township Council approved a resolution Monday evening appointing a slate of inaugural members and alternates to the new unified land-use board after an extended, sometimes heated discussion about how candidates were selected.
Residents and one council member had urged a transparent process following a November referendum that merged the former planning and zoning boards. Rob, who addressed the council at length during the work-session discussion, criticized what he described as an "appearance problem" if a single official named all appointments and urged use of a documented rubric and interviews. The council had earlier described a rubric that scored candidates on community involvement, planning knowledge, professional experience, decision-making ability, and availability.
Town attorney Kevin Starkey said he drafted an ordinance based on his understanding of past practice and later modified it after being told the council would adopt a different appointment procedure. "I was not directed by the mayor to do it," Starkey said, responding to questions about whether the mayor had asked him to write a version that would centralize appointment authority.
Council members said they interviewed applicants and reviewed resumes and stressed attendance and experience as important criteria. Several members also said they intended to rotate staggered terms to ensure continuity. After debate and public comments that raised concerns about diversity and transparency, the council moved and passed the resolution approving named classed members and four alternates; the clerk read the names into the record and staggered terms were announced.
Public commenters reiterated worries about representation and whether reappointing many existing board members would bring fresh perspectives. Council members who supported the slate urged residents to remain engaged and noted there were many opportunities to serve on other municipal committees. The council scheduled staggered terms so some seats expire in 2026 and others later through 2030.
The council closed the matter with a roll-call approval of the appointments. According to the council record, the resolution was adopted following recorded votes and will allow the new land-use board to begin its work on redevelopment, variances and planning reviews.
