SCOTT WALLIS, CHAIRPERSON

PETER ECKLUND, VICE-CHAIRPERSON

ANTHONY LAGOMARSINO

MARTIN JANOWSKI, (ENVIRON. COM. MEMBER)

JOHN ARMENO, COUNCILMEMBER

JOHN SWANSON

RICHARD HODSON, MAYOR

ALTERNATE #1  MOLLY COMERFORD

ALTERNATE #2         

WILLIAM HAGGERTY,  (DOLAN/DOLAN)     BOARD ATTORNEY 

KENNETH NELSON,  PLANNING CONSULTANT

JOHN RUSCHKE, (HATCH MOTT MACDONALD) BOARD ENGINEER

 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.

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.

MEETING SCHEDULE 2004 (The First and Third Tuesday of each month, except for Election Day 2 November, and possibly no meeting 17 August,)

7:30 PM in the Municipal Building, 111 River Styx Road

6 and 20 January           3 and 17 February                 2 and 16 March

6 and 20 April                4 and 18 May                        1 and 15 June

6 and 20 July                  3 and 17 August                   7 and 21 September

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.