Merger Of Long Valley Zoning, Planning Boards Could Come To Referendum

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The Washington Township Committee will meet again to discuss the possibility of combining its Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment into a single entity.

The township will hold a work session meeting tonight, Wednesday, June 14, at 7 p.m. in the municipal building.

According to the agenda, one of the main topics of discussion centers around the creation of a Joint Land Use Board, which would act as a combination of the current Zoning and Planning Boards.

The idea was first raised at the Township Committee work session meeting on April 12 and has since been discussed at subsequent meetings.

If the Township Committee approves the merger, the two separate boards will merge to form a consolidated Land Use Board. Members of the Township Committee, however, would not have the final say.

Because the township has a population of more than 15,000 people, its fate must be decided by voters in a referendum, which could take place this year.

The potential referendum will be the subject of discussion tonight, according to the agenda.

The referendum question would ask voters whether the Township of Washington should amend the code to allow the planning board to exercise all of the powers and duties of a board of adjustment, in addition to the planning board's duties.

The Joint Land Use Board would be responsible for preparing and updating the township's master plan as needed, as well as approving conditional use applications. According to the proposed ordinance amendment, the board would have nine sitting members and four alternates.

According to the agenda, the Township Committee has considered and investigated the feasibility of establishing a joint land use board for Long Valley and believes that such a board is in the best interests of the township.

If the proposed resolution is passed, voters will have the final say and will vote on the issue during the Nov. 7 general election.