2955-26 PB - Response - Amendment to Zoning Board Ordinance Section 25-47.5 (2955-26) 4.21.2026.pdf

2955-26 TOWNSHIP OF WEST ORANGE 66 MAIN STREET, WEST ORANGE, N.J. 07052 Department of Planning and Development SUSAN McCARTNEY Tel: (973) 325-4111 Mayor Email: planningboard@westorange.org, JAMILET BAQUERIZO VITE Planning Board Secretary Dr. Robert Bagoff, Chairman Jerry Guarino, Vice-Chairman Mayor Susan McCartney Council President Susan Scarpa Ken Alper William B. Wilkes II Diana P. McGovern, Esq., Board Attorney Lee D. Klein, PE PTOE John J. Hess, PE, PP, Consulting Engineer Christopher Morgan, Sr Zayibeth Carballo, PE, Township Engineer Frank Noborine. Heyer, Gruel & Associates, Consulting Planners John Cardoza (Alternate #1) Matrix New World Engineering, Consulting Engineer Lori Kapferer (Alternate #2) Geniece Gary-Adams, Director of Planning and Development/Zoning Official Mayor and Township Council (SMccartney @westorange.org; Council@westorange.org) Municipal Building 66 Main Street West Orange, New Jersey 07052 RE: Proposed Amendment to Land Use Regulations, Section 25-47.5 (2955-26) Permitting Successive Terms and Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of Zoning Board Dear Mayor McCartney, Council President Scarpa, and Council Members: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-64 and 40:55D-26, the Township of West Orange Planning Board (the “Board”) has evaluated the Proposed Ordinance Amending and Supplementing Chapter 25, Land Use Regulations, Section 25-47.5, permitting successive terms as chairperson and vice chairperson for the Zoning Board. (A copy is enclosed hereto.) After reviewing the proposed Ordinance and conferring with the Township’s Planner at the Board’s April 15, 2026, Regular Meeting, provides the following comments and conclusions. The Board notes that the Municipal Land Use Law at N.J.S.A. 40:55D-26a states: Prior to the adoption of a development regulation, revision, or amendment thereto, the planning board shall make and transmit to the governing body, within 35 days after referral, a report including identification of any provisions in the proposed development regulation, revision or amendment which are inconsistent with the master plan and recommendations concerning these inconsistencies and any other matters as the board deems appropriate. The governing body, when considering the adoption of a development regulation, revision or amendment thereto, shall review the report of the planning board and may disapprove or change any