Long Hill Township has had a Zoning Ordinance since 1937.  Buildings and structures of various types are limited to specific districts and are regulated with respect to type, nature and extent of their use.  These ordinances reflect the goals in the Master Plan for the Township.

The Planning Board was established in 1944.  It is responsible for preparing the Township Master Plan, under standards defined in the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL).  The most current Master Plan was adopted in 1996.  A copy is available for inspection at Town Hall and at the Library (or you may purchase a copy at Town Hall for $35.00).

The Planning Board reviews and acts on applications for

• all Major subdivisions
• Site plans (unless a variance is involved)
• Bulk variances and conditional uses if they are part of one of the above issues.
• Unimproved road variances if they are part of one of the above issues.

Depending on the type of application, a notice may be served on every property owner within 200 feet of the subject property.  This notice advises neighboring property owners of the relief being sought and the right of interested citizens to be heard at the meeting.

Each year, the Planning Board evaluates the variances granted by the Zoning Board of Adjustment to determine if there are emerging patterns of use which might require a change to the Master Plan or the Zoning Ordinances.  When appropriate, the Planning Board makes recommendations to the Township Committee to change the Official Map and the Zoning Ordinances.  It also participates in the preparation and review of programs and plans required by state and federal law.

The Board is assisted by an attorney, a professional Planner, and the Township Engineer.  These professionals always inspect the site of any project to be discussed, and their opinions are considered by the Board in its deliberations.

Some applicants are encouraged to take advantage of the Application Review Committee.  This is a subcommittee consisting of 4 members of the Planning Board, the Engineer and the Planner.  This committee meets once a month for a session which is INFORMAL and NON-BINDING. No records are kept, no formal preparation is required, and no fees are charged. The applicant simply appears before the committee, describes the proposal (perhaps with informal drawings,) and gets the benefit of free advice from the members concerning their view of the acceptability of the proposal.  The members may make suggestions that would make the proposal more acceptable to them when the proposal comes formally before the entire Planning Board.  By custom, the committee allows no more than 15 minutes for each discussion.  These committee meetings are open for the public to hear.

Any person who has (or thinks they might have) matters to bring before the Planning Board should first contact the Planning Board Administrator, Dawn Wolfe at 908-647-8000, ext. 218.  There is no standard set of applications to bring matters before the Planning Board.  The Administrator will suggest an appropriate format, and will place the proposal on the agenda when the time is appropriate.

A condensed  agenda  for the next meeting of the Planning Board is posted two business days before the meeting in the Calendar section of this website.  Go to the Planning Board agenda page to sign up for free email delivery of the agenda.
You may purchase an audio cassette of any meeting of the Planning Board for $10.00 per tape.  (If the meeting was more than 2 hours long, expect to purchase 2 tapes at a cost of $20.00.)  Contact the Planning Administrator.