Phillipsburg Planning – Land Use Board

Phillipsburg Planning Board

120 Filmore Street
Phillipsburg NJ 08865
Phone: (908) 454-5500, Ext. 341
email : planningboard@phillipsburgnj.org

FOR THE LAND USE BOARD MEETING INFORMATION AND ZOOM LINK PLEASE GO TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS USE THE DROP DOWN FOR LAND USE BOARD TO SEE ALL THE PLANS FOR THE I-78 LOGISTICS PLANS IN DETAIL

Please click here for instructions for ALL Planning Board Applications

*******For the Zoning Page, Please click here (for fences, sheds, change of use, new construction, etc)

Overview

The Planning/Land Use Board has a wide range of responsibilities among which is the responsibility of making many important decisions regarding development and safety within our town. The Planning Board is directly responsible for generating and updating the Town’s Master Plan, and is involved in developing and implementing broad land use policies for guiding the growth of the municipality. An integral part of a municipality’s decision making process is the Master Plan. Without the land use element of the Master Plan, a municipality cannot have a valid Zoning Ordinance.

The Planning/Land Use Board has specific authorities over subdivision control and site plan review, the Official Map, Zoning Ordinances and Capital Improvements Program. Moreover, it has been vested with quasi-judicial power in that when reviewing subdivision and site plan applications, it can decide “Variances” and establish procedures for the review of such applications.

The Planning/Land Use Board may also become involved in the review of other State or Federal programs or plans, assemble data for planning purposes and perform other advisory duties as assigned to it by the Governing Body, to aid them in the planning process.

The Board is responsible to hear appeals for “adjustments” in specific cases, whereby an applicant’s proposal does not and cannot meet the requirements of the zoning ordinance. This Board will also hear and decide appeals, where it is alleged by an applicant that there is an error in any order, requirement, decision or refusal made by the Zoning Officer, based upon or made in the enforcement of the zoning ordinance.

The variances granted by this Board are based upon the review of the application as it relates to a specific property, when the strict application of the regulation will impose difficulties or hardship to the applicant, through no fault of his own. No variance or other relief may be granted unless it can be so done without substantial detriment to the public good and will not substantially impair the intent and purpose of the zone plan and zoning ordinance.

Helpful Links and Information :

Board Formation

On December 28, 1976 the Phillipsburg Town Council adopted Ordinance No. O:76-16 for the establishment of a town Planning Board.

Excerpts of this ordinance detailing the composition and terms of the board can be seen by clicking here: Chapter 360 – Town Code

2020 PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS

Mayor Todd Tersigni Councilman Harry Wyant
(Term Expires 12/31/2023) (Term Expires 12/31/2020)

William Duffy (Chairman) Keith Zwicker (Vice Chairman)
( 1/1/17 – 12/31/20) (1/5/17- 12-31-20)

John Penrose (Secretary) William Spencer
(01/01/2020 – 12/31/2023) (1/1/20 – 12/31/23)

Bernard Rooney Darren Bodogh
(1/5/17 – 12/31/20) (1/5/17 – 12/31/20)

Adam Kita James P Stetner (Alternate #1)
(1/23/19 – 12/31/20) (1/5/17 – 12/31/20)

Saverio Samarelli (Alternate #2)
(1/25/20 – 12/31/21)

Planning Board Professional /support staff

LandUse Technical Assistant               Vacant                                          PlanningBoard@PhillipsburgNJ.org
Planning Board Attorney                       Scott Wilhelm wilhelms@wwgrlaw.com
Planning Board Engineer Stanley Schrek sschrek@vcea.org
911 Coordinator Travis Zechman    Tzechman@pburg.org
Fire Chief                                                        Rich Hay                                      Rhay@PhillipsburgNJ.org