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Green Township adopts new R-1.5/0.5 zoning to ease lot-size standards for existing homes
Summary
At its Oct. 20 meeting the Green Township Committee unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-10, creating a new R-1.5/0.5 zone that applies reduced lot-size and bulk standards to existing developed residential properties under certain conditions.
The Green Township Committee on Oct. 20 adopted Ordinance 2025-10 to amend Chapter 30 (Land Use Regulations) and create a new R-1.5/0.5 Residential District that establishes a 0.5-acre minimum lot size and revised bulk standards for existing residences under 1.5 acres.
Mayor Virginia "Ginnie" Raffay opened the public hearing on the ordinance. With no members of the public offering comment, Committee member Margaret "Peg" Phillips moved to close the hearing and adopt the ordinance; Michael Rose seconded. The adoption passed unanimously: DeYoung, Phillips, Qarmout, Rose and Mayor Raffay voted aye.
The ordinance revises definitions and yard requirements, allows certain accessory structures in the R-1.5/0.5 district (with a five-foot minimum setback for most accessory buildings and a ten-foot setback for pools), and clarifies standards for corner and through lots. The ordinance text specifies that the 0.5-acre standards apply only to existing residences with less than 1.5 acres; new residences and new subdivisions must follow 1.5-acre standards.
The Committee called for the required notices to the Sussex County Planning Board and for publication consistent with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-15 and 40:55D-16. The ordinance will take effect upon final passage, approval and publication as required by law.
The Clerk will include the final ordinance in the township code and publish required notices. No amendments were recorded at the meeting; the Committee provided no additional public testimony during the hearing.
Next steps: the ordinance becomes effective following the statutory publication and filing steps; staff will proceed with updating code references and notifying affected departments.
