Any person who has (or thinks they might have) matters to bring before the Zoning Board of Adjustment should contact the Planning and Zoning Board Administrator, Dawn Wolfe at 908-647-8000, ext. 218.  If she advises that an Application must be made to the Board, she will provide you with a copy of the Board's procedures, and the necessary Application forms.  Experience has shown that most residents are capable of completing the Applications (for their own residences) without professional help.  The Administrator is available to assist, but is NOT PERMITTED to complete those parts of the Applications which must be stated in the applicant's own words. (For example: "Explain why you think this Variance should be granted".)  All applications require photographs of the property showing the area where the variance is proposed.

Zoning variances may infringe on the rights of neighbors (i.e., rights which protect the property values of all the residents of a neighborhood or zone.)  Therefore, the Zoning laws require that a notice be served on every property owner within 200 feet of the property which is requesting a variance.  This notice advises neighboring property owners of the relief being sought and of the fact that all interested citizens will have an opportunity to be heard at the meeting.

All meetings of the Zoning Board of Adjustment are conducted formally.  Applicants and witnesses are sworn, the meeting is recorded, and a court stenographer keeps an official record of testimony.  Applicants must present their case to the Board.  Individuals MAY be represented by an attorney, and corporations MUST be represented by an attorney.  Residents who intend to request a variance are advised to attend a meeting prior to the one where their case is heard, to familiarize themselves with the procedure.

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.

A condensed  agenda  for the next meeting of the Zoning Board of Adjustment is posted on the website at least two business days before the meeting in the Calendar section of this website.  Go to the Zoning Board agenda page to sign up for free email delivery of the agenda.
You may purchase an audio cassette of any meeting of the Board of Adjustment 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 Zoning Administrator.

The Zoning Enforcement Officer enforces the ordinances, acts on complaints, and issues warnings and summonses for violations.  See the next page.