Land Use Board

120 Filmore Street
Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
Phone: (908) 454-5500, Ext. 330
email : klefler@phillipsburgnj.org

Please click here for instructions for ALL Land Use Applications

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

Board Formation:

On December 28, 1976 the Phillipsburg Town Council adopted Ordinance No. O:76-16 for the establishment of a town Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment pursuant to PL 1975, c. 291 in compliance with the State of New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law [MLUL] NJSA 40:55D.

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

Master Plans And Other Redevelopment Plans for Phillipsburg
Land Use Board Minutes
Land Use Legal Forms And Information
2022 Land Use Meeting and Submission Dates
Town Code
Zoning Districts Map

OverviewMembersCurrent Meeting InfoMeeting InfoMeeting MinutesResolutions

The Land Use Board (Often referred to as the ‘Planning Board’) has a wide range of responsibilities among which is the responsibility of making important decisions regarding development and safety within our town. The Land Use 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 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 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.

Name	Term Expires	Name	Term Expires
Randy Piazza, Jr., Mayor	12/31/2023	Meliss Paulus	12/31/2022
Matthew Noel, Class II	12/31/2022	Tim Zagra	12/31/2023
John Penrose	12/31/2023	William Duffy, Chairman	12/31/2024
Keith Zwicker, Vice Chair	12/31/2024	John Turnbull	12/31/2024
Bernard Brotzman	13/31/2024	Dave Bond, Alt. 2	12/31/2022
Reggie Branch, Alt. 1	12/31/2023

Land Use Secretary	Kelly Lefler	klefler@phillipsburgnj.org
Land Use Attorney	Scott Wilhelm	wilhelms@wwgrlaw.com
Land Use Engineer	Tim O’Brien	tobrien@vancleefengineering.com
911 Coordinator	John Franceschino	jfranceschino@pburg.org
Fire Chief	Rich Hay	rhay@phillipsburgNJ.org

Land Use Board

Board Formation:

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