973-635-0674
54 Fairmount Avenue
Chatham, NJ
Who We Are
The membership is made up of the Mayor, one member of the Borough Council, one member of the Environmental Commission, a Municipal Official, and six local residents, plus up to two alternates. Most of the members are Mayor-appointed volunteers approved by the Borough Council, who serve for a three-year renewable term.
The Board meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM in Borough Hall. Meetings are open to the public.
What We Do
The New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL) states that a planning board may “exercise its powers” in regard to:
The MLUL permits boards to adopt and maintain a Master Plan unique to each community. Our Master Plan reflects the town’s physical character in basic stated objectives with respect to its land use, zoning and housing, historic preservation, recreation and conservation. To achieve these broad objectives, the Board writes and updates regulations for the Borough Council to adopt or amend. These regulations make up the town’s Land Development Regulations, also referred to as the Land Development Ordinance (LDO).
Since no regulation can be applicable to all situations, an appeal process is in place wherein the landowner may make their case to the appropriate board for variance relief. The Planning Board stays aware of environmental concerns through its members who serve on the Environmental Commission and the Open Space Advisory Committee.
The overall objective of planning and zoning is to maintain a reasonable balance between the particular needs and intentions of the property owner and the general welfare and character of the community.
The Planning Board is responsible for:
Holding hearings and deciding upon land subdivisions and certain site plan applications.
Reviewing and updating the Land Development Regulations.
Coordinating with the Board of Adjustment, the Construction Department and other Borough agencies.
Maintaining and regularly updating the Master Plan.
The mayor appoints all Members to the Planning Board. Six (6) Class IV Members serve a 4-year term and two (2) Alternate Members serve a 2-year term.
Class | Kendra Lelie, PP, AICP, ASLA | Term |
---|---|---|
Class I - Mayor | Thaddeus J. Kobylarz | 01/01/2020-12/31/2023 |
Class II - Borough Employee | Stephen W. Williams | 01/01/2022-12/31/2022 |
Class III - Council Member | Frank Truilo | 01/01/2022-12/31/2022 |
Class IV - Zoning Board of Adjustment Member | Curt Dawson | 01/01/2022-12/31/2025 |
Class IV - Vice Chair | Matthew Wagner | 01/01/2022-12/31/2025 |
Class IV | Thomas Belding | 01/01/2022-12/31/2025 |
Class IV - Chair | Susan W. Favate | 01/01/2020-12/31/2023 |
Class IV | William Heap | 05/23/2022-12/31/2025 |
Class IV - Environmental Commission Member | Torri Van Wie | 01/01/2020-12/31/2022 |
1st Alternate | Gregory Xikes | 01/01/2022-12/31/2023 |
2nd Alternate | VACANT | 01/01/2020-12/31/2022 |
Planning Board Attorney | Vincent Loughlin | Professional Service Appointment |
Minutes Secretary | Liz Holler | 01/01/2022-12/31/2022 |
Administrative Secretary %MCEPASTEBIN% | Frances Boardman | |
Planning Board Engineer | Robert C. Brightly, PE | |
Planner | Kendra Lelie, PP, AICP, ASLA | Professional Service Appointment |
Frances Boardman is the Borough of Chatham Land Use Administrative Officer. She may be reached at fboardman@chathamborough.org