T.F. introduces revised land-use ordinance

T.F. introduces revised land-use ordinance
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

TINTON FALLS — The Borough Council introduced what is hoped will be the final version of a land-use ordinance at the April 7 meeting.

The previous land-use ordinance was up for final consideration March 17, but after lengthy discussion it was rejected by the council in favor of drafting a new version.

Tinton Falls Borough Attorney James Berube Jr. said last week that changes made to the ordinance after it was first introduced made it difficult for the council to adopt the measure on March 17.

The changes, suggested by borough planner Paul Gleitz, of Heyer, Gruel & Associates, New Brunswick, were added to the revised ordinance, which implements land-use objectives outlined in the borough's master plan.

"We followed almost 20 pages of recommendations by Gleitz that went into making this new ordinance," Berube said.

Berube doesn't see this ordinance as much of a change from the previous version, but more of a clarified one.

"We made some small changes," he said. "The language is more of a clarification than change."

The ordinance establishes zones and permitted uses for each zone. Also included in the ordinance are a traffic impact statement and the procedure for site plan reviews.

"Small changes were made to recognize use relief and will bring the land-use ordinance up to date," Berube said.

"Additional changes were made to provide for affordable housing in Tinton Falls," he added.

The ordinance will have another public hearing on May 19.

If the ordinance is approved, it will become law in late June or early July, according to Berube.

"I feel very good that it will be passed," he said. "This final ordinance is the culmination of two and a half years of work, four public hearings with the Planning Board, and three public hearings with the council."

"I think it will be approved and be an effective plan," Berube said. "The chance it gets passed is very good."

Berube went on to add that Tinton Falls Mayor Peter Maclearie has made the ordinance a goal of his.

"The mayor has been dedicated to reorganizing the town's uses to make a lot of sense," Berube said. "It was something the mayor was committed to when he first ran for office. It was one of his objectives."

Berube also stated that the new ordinance meets the state's requirements for open space laws as well as affordable housing laws.

A copy of the revised land-use ordinance can be found on the Planning Board tab of the Tinton Falls website. A copy of the Tinton Falls Master Plan is also available on the Tinton Falls website.