Clark Township Planning Board finds zoning overhaul consistent with master plan

At its Dec. 5, 2024 meeting, the Clark Township Planning Board voted to accept a draft resolution finding Ordinance 2024-15 — a comprehensive amendment and restatement of the township land use and development ordinance — consistent with the municipal master plan.

Paul Requio, the township planner, told the board the packet included the full proposed ordinance, a redline showing edits, a new zoning map, a summary of changes and a draft resolution for the board’s consideration. Requio said the update primarily modernizes definitions and administrative procedures, revises parking and sign rules, clarifies residential accessory uses and setbacks, and adds or clarifies a limited set of land uses such as self-storage, car washes and EV charging. He said the zoning map changes consolidate certain districts, identify redevelopment and affordable-housing districts, and otherwise bring the ordinance text into alignment with the town’s 2023 master plan reexamination. "I'm not aware of any inconsistencies because you're effectuating your master plan as part of this process," Requio said.

Board members pressed for clarity on several specific provisions. One question concerned a new subsection creating a formal application procedure for rezoning (§195-10(b)); Requio said the provision creates a formal process for requesting zone changes that the township previously lacked. Members also asked whether a new height-variance trigger (described as "10 feet or 10%") was additive; Requio explained this language clarifies when the municipal land use law treats an increase as a variance and that state law supersedes local rules. Another exchange clarified that references to stricken commercial and industrial sections reflect consolidation and renaming on the updated zoning map rather than the removal of those land-use categories.

The board briefly opened the matter for public comment at the attorney’s recommendation; no member of the public came forward. The chair then moved to accept the draft resolution finding Ordinance 2024-15 consistent with the municipal master plan. The board recorded a roll call vote; named members answered in the affirmative and the chair declared the motion passed.

Mayor Bonacorso thanked the committee and staff who worked on the update, noting the group "literally met for, I think, it was over a year" to complete the overhaul. The board scheduled its next meeting, the reorganization meeting, for Jan. 2, 2025, and adjourned.

What the board reviewed: Ordinance 2024-15 is primarily a modernization of the township land development ordinance — updating definitions, administrative duties, parking standards, signage rules, fees and several use categories — and includes a revised zoning map that consolidates certain districts and identifies affordable housing and redevelopment areas. The board's vote accepted the draft resolution finding the ordinance consistent with Clark Township’s municipal master plan, advancing the ordinance to the township council for further action as provided by local procedure.