HOPATCONG
PLANNING BOARD
EUGENIA
(GENIE) WISS PLANNING/ZONING SECRETARY
973-770-1200 EXT 133 FAX 973-770-0301
The
Planning Board meets the first and third Tuesday of every month, with few exceptions.
Meetings start at 7:30 PM. They are held in the Council/Court Room in Borough
Hall, 111 River Styx Road, Hopatcong. Directions to Borough Hall are provided
under DIRECTIONS in the horizontal menu.
The Planning Board administers the provisions of the Borough Land Subdivision
Ordinance (Chapter 209 of the Code of the Borough) and Site Plan Review Ordinance
(Chapter 191). The Board reviews applications for the subdivision of land or for
the development of land (Site Plan Review). These responsibilities are shared with the
Zoning Board of Adjustment, the specifics of an application determining to which
board an application is presented. The Board considers conditional use applications.
State Statute charges the Planning Board with the adoption and updating of the
Borough Master Plan, and recommending Code changes to implement the Master Plan.
This requires an on-going collection of data and reports.
The Planning Board is a seven member board, with two alternates, as provided
in Chapter 28 “Land-Use Procedures” of the Code of the Borough of Hopatcong in
accordance N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.. It is not a law making body, although some
Borough ordinances (laws) must be referred to the Planning Board for comment.
State Law specifies most of its procedures.
HOPATCONG
PLANNING BOARD 2008
| 1. SAM C HOAGLAND - CHAIRMAN |
| 2. ROBERT DADDIS - VICE CHAIRMAN |
| 3. CLIFFORD R. LUNDIN - OPEN SPACE
REPRESENTATIVE |
| 4. MOLLIE COMERFORD |
| 5. MAYOR SYLVIA PETILLO |
| 6. COUNCILMAN MICHAEL FRANCIS |
| 7. RON JOBELESS |
| 8. ALAN GILBERT - ALTERNATE |
| 9. WILLIAM HAGGERTY, ESQ. OF DOLAN & DOLAN,
BOARD ATTORNEY |
| 10. JOHN RUSCHKE OF HATCH MOTT MACDONALD, BOARD
ENGINEER |
| 11. ROBERT L. DUNCAN, ALTERNATE |
| 12. CHARLES T. MCGROARTY OF BANISCH ASSOCIATES, INC., BOARD PLANNER |
For contact information please call or email Planning Board Secretary Eugenia
Wiss
gwiss@hopatcong.org
973 770-1200 Ext. 133
***
VISIT HOPATCONG'S GIS PROJECT **** njgin.sussex.nj.us/hopatcongmain
POWERS
AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The powers of the Planning Board
are specified in section 8 of Chapter 28 “LAND USE PROCEDURES” of the Code of
the Borough in accordance with the NJ Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-25.
Powers of planning board). In
general, the Planning Board is responsible for creating, updating and adopting
the Borough Master Plan and proposing associated zoning ordinances, land subdivision
and site plan review, creating the official map, the zoning ordinance including
conditional uses, review of the capital improvement program, and variances and
certain building permits in conjunction with subdivision, site plan and conditional
use. The Board
is also empowered to review and approve "C" variances (departures from
zoning ordinances) in conjunction with development applications. The Planning Board is not a
law making body, although some Borough ordinances (laws) must be referred to the
Planning Board for comment. Many of its procedures are specified by State Law.
Residents are encouraged to attend to become better informed about land
use and overall development in Hopatcong.
The Borough Master Plan is a comprehensive, long-range plan intended to
guide the growth and development of the Borough. It is mandated and described
in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28, which also provides for periodic reviews. The Master Plan
contains elements that provide for future economic development, housing, recreation,
open space, transportation, community facilities and land use. A primary element
of the Master Plan is the Land Use Plan. This element serves as the basis for
development of the Borough's Zoning Ordinance. The Zoning Ordinance is a set of
local regulations that provide for controls on how the land in Borough is developed
or utilized. The Land Use Plan is also implemented through a zoning map of the
Borough that shows the various zones recommended in the Land Use Plan.
A major activity of the Planning Board at its meetings is the review of
minor and major applications for the subdivision of land and for the development
of land (Site Plan Review). Subdivision review is required whenever any lot, tract
or parcel of land is divided into two or more lots, tracts and parcels or when
lot lines are moved. Site plan reviews are required when someone proposes development
for anything other than an individual lot application for detached one- or two-
dwelling units.. An illustration of a common
Site Plan Review is the review of plans for the construction or change of a store.
These responsibilities are shared with the specifics of an application determining
to which board, Planning or Zoning, an application is presented.
The Planning Board may: (a) Participate in the preparation and review
of programs or plans required by State or federal law or regulation; (b) Assemble
data on a continuing basis as part of a continuous planning process; and (c) Perform
such other advisory duties as are assigned to it by ordinance or resolution of
the governing body for the aid and assistance of the governing body or other agencies
or officers.
In accordance with 40:55D-27. “Environmental Commission” of the MLUL “Whenever
the environmental commission has prepared and submitted to the planning board
and the board of adjustment an index of the natural resources of the municipality,
the planning board or the board of adjustment shall make available to the environmental
commission an informational copy of every application for development submitted
to either board. Failure of the planning board or board of adjustment to make
such informational copy available to the environmental commission shall not invalidate
any hearing or proceeding.” Such an index was provided by the Environmental Commission
and copies are made available.
Membership: term of office: OFFICERS
The
Planning Board of the Borough of Hopatcong consists of seven members and two alternates,
pursuant to the NJ Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL). (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-23. planning board membership).
Class I: The Mayor of the Borough or the mayor's designee in the absence
of the mayor. The term of the member composing Class I shall correspond to the
mayor's, or, if the member is the mayor's designee in the absence of the mayor,
the designee shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor during the mayor's official
tenure.
Class II: One of the officials of the Borough other than a member of the
Borough Council, appointed by the Mayor; provided that the member of the Environmental
Commission who is also a member of the Planning Board as required by P.L. 1968,
c. 245 shall be deemed to be the Class II Planning Board Member in the event that
there be among the Class IV or alternate members of the Board both a member of
the Zoning Board of Adjustment (or Historic Preservation Commission, if one exists),
and a member of the Board of Education. . The terms of the member composing Class
II shall be for one year or terminate at the completion of the member’s respective
term of office, whichever occurs first, except for a Class II member who is also
a member of the environmental commission. The term of a Class II member who is
also a member of the environmental commission shall be for three years or terminate
at the completion of his term of office as a member of the environmental commission,
whichever occurs first.
Class III: Member of the Borough Council to be appointed by it. . The
term of the member composing Class III shall be for one year or terminate at the
completion of the member’s term of office, whichever occurs first,
Class IV: Four citizens of the Borough of Hopatcong appointed by the Mayor.
The members of Class IV shall hold no other municipal office, position or employment,
except that one such member may be a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment
(or Historic Preservation Commission, if one exists), and one such member may
be a member of the Board of Education. The member of the Environmental Commission
who is also a member of the Planning Board as required by P.L. 1968, c. 245 shall
be a Class IV Planning Board member, unless there be among the Class IV or alternate
members of the Board both a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment or Historic
Preservation Commission, if one exists, and a member of the Board of Education,
in which case the member common to the Planning Board and Environmental Commission
shall be deemed a Class II member of the Board. For the purpose of this qualification,
membership on a municipal board or commission whose function is advisory in nature,
and the establishment of which is discretionary and not required by statute, shall
not be considered the holding of municipal office. The member of the Environmental
Commission acts as a liaison between the two, communicating concerns between the
Planning Board and the Environmental Commission. The Class IV term of office is
four years.
Alternate Members: There may be not more than two alternate members, appointed
to the Planning Board, in the same manner as Class IV members. Alternate members shall be designated at the
time of appointment by the Mayor as "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate
No. 2”. The terms of the alternate members shall be for 2 years, except that the
terms of the alternate members shall be such that the term of not more than one
alternate member shall expire in any 1 year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than
by expiration of term shall be filled by the Mayor for the unexpired term only.
Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not
vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member of any class.
A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular member may vote instead of
an alternate member. In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate
member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote.
If a vacancy in any class shall occur otherwise than by expiration of
the Planning Board term, it shall be filled by appointment, as above provided,
for the unexpired term.
No member, or alternate member, of the Planning Board shall be permitted
to act on any matter in which he has, either directly or indirectly, any personal
or financial interest. Any member other than a Class I member, after a public
hearing if the member requests one, may be removed by the governing body for cause.
As provided in 40:55D-27. “Citizens advisory committee” of the MLUL, the
mayor may appoint one or more persons as a citizens' advisory committee to assist
or collaborate with the Planning Board in its duties, but such person or persons
shall have no power to vote or take other action required of the board. Such person
or persons shall serve at the pleasure of the mayor.
The Planning Board elects a chairman and vice chairman from the members
of Class IV, selects a secretary who may or may not be a member of the Board or
a municipal employee, and creates and fills such other offices as established
by Borough ordinance. The Planning Board may employ, or contract for, and fix
the compensation of legal counsel, other than the Borough attorney, and experts,
and other staff and services as the Board deems necessary, not exceeding, exclusive
of gifts or grants, the amount appropriated by the governing body for its use.
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