In other business during the September 2 meeting, council examined the 13 ordinances drafted and adopted by the Planning Board as part of the Master Plan that would rezone 80 percent of the township’s land.##M:[more]##
The R-20, R-20A, and R-20B districts all create lot sizes of 20,”000 square feet, with different requirements for front and side yard setbacks in each. The R-24 zone creates lots with 24,”000 square feet. The R-30, R-30a, R-30b, R-30c, and R-30d zones carry lot sizes of 30,”000 square feet and each have their own set of front and side yard setback requirements. Two other districts were also created: the R-R/C (rural residential/conservation district), which carries 3 and 1/3 acre lots, and the R-1C (a low-density residential/conservation district) that would have 1 and 2/3 acre lots. A separate R-3.5 zone creates 35,”000 square foot lot sizes specifically for the West Winds development. All the zones carry a 13 floor-area ration, except the R-3.5 zone.
The council contemplated whether to send out notices to all of the 5,”000 residents affected by the new ordinances, or whether to simply put announcements up on the township’s cable channel, since the Planning Board had held four meetings and already taken into account comments from a large number of residents in drafting the ordinances. Because of a township-wide rezoning in 1997, about 80 percent of residential lots in the township are not conforming. The ordinances are intended to correct this, and to create zoning that actually reflects the lotting patterns in the community, as called for in the Master Plan, officials said. Officials also said most of the changes, since they reflect actual lot patterns, are merely changes in the name of the districts, and will actually bring residents’ lots into compliance with township code.
After being passed by the board, the ordinances must be introduced and adopted by council. The council intends to introduce the ordinances on Monday, September 15, with a public hearing on Monday, October 27.
Councilwoman Heidi Kleinman said that even though more than 300 residents had either attended the Planning Board meetings or had called township officials to discuss their concerns, she still felt the affected residents should be notified of the public hearing date. Sam Surtees, the township’s Division of Land Use manager said he could draft up a number of letters explaining to residents who fall within each district describing the standards set forth in each, as well as explaining that the changes were based on public input.
Kleinman then suggested a simple postcard directing residents to the website and informing them of the public hearing date, to save money on costs associated with the mailing.
Some council members, including Charles Morgan, said residents would be more inclined to show up at the meeting or bombard township staff with phone calls simply because they received the letter, not realizing that it is not anything different than has already been discussed at the Planning Board level. Ultimately, the council decided to send the letters.
