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4 PROFESSIONAL COMMENTS - Ms. Apte explained under the MLUL, ordinances affecting land use must be reviewed by the Planning Board to determine consistency with the Township Master Plan. - The current ordinance required annual elections and didn’t allow consecutive terms. - The amendment would allow zoning board members themselves to decide whether a chair or vice chair could continue serving consecutively. - Ms. Apte believes the amendment is consistent with the 2019 Master Plan - The Master Plan encourages: ○ Efficient administration ○ Improved procedural regulation ○ Better functioning of boards and commissions - Ms. McGovern explained the ordinance change has only to do with the Zoning board, which has separate powers than the Planning Board - The proposed ordinance would remove the restriction only for the Zoning Board, creating inconsistency between the two boards. BOARD QUESTIONS - Councilperson Scarpa asked how the board had historically operated with the same chairpersons for multiple years if the ordinance prohibited consecutive terms. Chairman Bagoff said they’re out of compliance with the ordinance, but in compliance with the state MLUL. BOARD COMMENTS - Mr. Alper questioned whether the Town Council had authority to impose such restrictions in the first place. Nonetheless, he agreed the ordinance was consistent with the Master Plan. APPLICATIONS ● PB24-01 West Essex Highlands Inc Block: 179 Lot: 32 Zone: IH-1 Warner Road The applicant is proposing to develop a 496-unit inclusionary multifamily residential development on a 120-acre property in the northwest corner of the township. - The application will be carried to the next Planning Board regular meeting on May 6, 2026, without further notice in person, starting at 6:30 pm. ● PB24-05 Yerrr Canna LLC Block: 62 Lots: 22.01, 32, and 34 Zone: I 76–82 Ashland Avenue The application to occupy and develop an existing vacant two-story metal warehouse building space consisting of approximately 9482 square feet into a Class 1 cannabis cultivator use, with 2,500 square feet of cultivation space on the first floor to stripe the parking lot and put up a security fence.