Stormwater Ordinance Amendment 2918 25 Master Plan Consistency Review

May 7, 2025 Page 2 of 2 Master Plan Consistency Review – Ordinance 2918-25 105 Grove Street, Suite 3, Montclair, NJ 07042 • Phone: (973) 954-2677 • www.NishuaneGroup.com Management Rules in N.J.A.C. 7:8, which was last amended by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protraction (NJDEP) on July 17, 2023. The purpose of the proposed amendment, as stated in Ordinance 2870-24, is to “…establish minimum stormwater management requirements and controls for “major development,” and “minor development” as defined below in § 25-29.2” As explained by the Township Engineer, Zayibeth Carballo, in her Memorandum to this Board, dated April 28, 2025, the amendment provided by Ordinance 2918-25 “…introduces additional definitions in Section 29.2, updates the definition of a Major Development and establishes a definition for Minor Development that consist of design standards for projects that qualify as a Minor Development.” Ms. Carballo further opines that, “… the changes that have been made to this ordinance are more stringent for Major and Minor Developments than the NJDEP model ordinance.” As I indicated in my previous “Master Plan Consistency Review for Ordinance 2870-24,” dated November 5, 2024, the updating of the Township’s Stormwater Management regulations is contemplated in the Township’s 2019 Master Plan Update. This is substantiated in the Plan Element Amendments section of the 2019 Master Plan Update, in Section V. Circulation, B-Existing Conditions, Issues and Recommendations for Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety, where it recommends, “incorporation of green streets and infrastructure, in furtherance of New Jersey’s updated stormwater management rules.” The review of the Ordinance by the West Orange Municipal Engineer, further supports the consistency of the proposed amendment. In her Memorandum she states, “… it is my professional opinion that Stormwater Control Ordinance (SCO) 2918-25 which is more stringent than the NJDEP model ordinance, complies with the requirements set forth in N.J.A.C., 7:8 which was last amended and adopted by Council on November 25, 2024.” Based on the above, in my opinion, the proposed amendment to Chapter 25, Section 29 embodied in Ordinance 2918-25 is consistent with the Township’s Master Plan and furthers the goals and objectives of the same.