Potential Merger Of Zoning, Planning Boards Discussed In Long Valley

LONG VALLEY, NJ — The Washington Township Committee will once again hold discussions about potentially merging its Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment into one new board.

Mayor Matt Murello first introduced the idea during the Wednesday, April 12 Township Committee work session meeting, according to the agenda. The topic will once again be discussed this week, on Wednesday, May 10.

If the Township Committee agrees with the merger, the two distinct boards would join together and instead form a consolidated Land Use Board. However, members of the Township Committee would not have the final say.

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

The Joint Land Use Board would be in charge of preparing and updating the township's Master Plan as needed, as well as approving conditional use applications and all former Zoning Board of Adjustment powers that would be transferred.

The board would have a total of nine sitting members, with an additional four alternates, according to the proposed ordinance amendment.

This is not the first time the township has expressed interest in combining some of its volunteer committees.

In November 2022, the township considered an ordinance that would have eliminated the current Historic Preservation Committee and transferred all powers to the township Zoning Board of Adjustment.

After several public comments addressed to the board disagreeing with the ordinance, the board ultimately decided to scrap the idea. The Historic Preservation Committee had a dwindling roster at the time of the proposal, falling short of the required seven regular members and two alternates.

In light of this issue, Murello stated that he spoke with DEP representatives, who indicated that the Township could be eligible for funds to hire a professional to assist the commission.

"With this information and listening to the public comments, I ask the Township Committee tonight to not move the ordinance forward. Instead, we will apply for state funding for a professional to assist the Commission and set quantifiable goals for the Commission to meet in 2023," Murello said.

The township will discuss the possibility of a Joint Land Use Board further at a work session meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the municipal building.