Why does this Middlesex County town want to dissolve its zoning board?

SOUTH RIVER – Residents will have a say in November whether the Zoning Board of Adjustment should be dissolved and replaced with a joint land use board.

The Borough Council approved the ordinance on second reading at the Aug. 5 special Borough Council meeting to place a non-binding referendum on the November ballot. Councilmembers Matt DeSantis and James Gurchensky abstained from the vote. A first reading was held at the July 8 meeting.

Residents will be asked whether the borough "should amend the code to dissolve the Zoning Board of Adjustment and permit the Planning Board to exercise all the powers and duties of a zoning board, in addition to the duties of the Planning Board. This creates a joint land use board and provides for a single board, professionals and staff for all planning and zoning applications with the borough," the ordinance says.

At the August meeting, Ed Trygar, who has served on the Zoning Board for eight years, asked if there is a problem having both a zoning and planning board.

Trygar said it is his experience and understanding that staff does a really good job of directing people where to go.

The borough has something that seems to be working so why change it, Trygar said.

The mayor said it's more about consolidating and making it easier.

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"Most of our townships around here under 20,000 people are starting to do this," Mayor Peter Guindi said.

It would provide "a one-stop shop," Guindi said.

"When it comes down to a developer, contractor, a homeowner that wants to do something, instead of them jumping around between different boards, they're right there in front of everybody talking to them," the mayor said.

Not only that, but they would actually save money and the town would save money too, the mayor said.

Trygar said the decision to eliminate the Zoning Board seems "rushed."

He said it could be done next year, allowing for discussions with the zoning and planning boards and the Economic Development Commission , as well as at Council meetings, he said.

"It's not rushed, it's a referendum," Guindi said.

In addition, Trygar said, it would be one board that the mayor would appoint without Council input.

Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com

Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Why does this Middlesex County town want to dissolve its zoning board?