What is Land Use as it relates to Planning and Zoning?
Introduction -Vernon Township adheres to the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Laws NJSA40:55d (MLUL) which dictates the public hearing process for the Land Use Board. If you find yourself required to present your plans before the board, throughout this website you will find a basic understanding of the necessary requirements to help your application to achieve a successful outcome. Additionally, you will find a public hearing process to assist with your understanding of each step required to take throughout the process.
Planning involves many tools, including economic and demographic analysis, natural and cultural resource evaluation, goal-setting, and strategic planning of the municipalities current and future ecomonic development and growth. The Land Use Development Ordinance and Zoning Ordinances are used as the tools for implementation of this vision set forth in the Master Plan. Planning responsibilities within a municipality offers communities and their citizen's opportunity to achieve the vision of the future through the Master Plan.
Zoning is the legal mechanism that reserves the integrity of neighborhoods by providing for orderly growth and compatible uses of land and buildings in the area. This function is performed through enforcement of regulations called the Zoning Ordinance which determines how properties can be used, what types of buildings can be constructed, how much parking must be provided, where buildings can be constructed on the property, etc. Setback requirements have been established within each zone throughout the municipality.
Zoning Variance - occasionally, zoning requirements are altered for a specific piece of property due to special circumstances related to its location or proposed use. A variance is the procedure by which the regulations are modified for these properties. There are two basic types of variances: Use variances and Area variances. A use variance relates to the uses of land or structures. An area variance relates to yard, bulk and space requirements.
Procedural - Should you find yourself preparing an application before the Land Use Board there are a few things you could do to expedite this process. First, understanding how the Land Use Board operates. It is a quasi-judicial body of members, meaning it operates similar to, but not as strictly as a court of law. Thus, a hearing is similar to a court proceeding and follows the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law 40-55: (NJ MLUL), the Vernon Township Master Plan and Land Use Development Ordinances. For specific and additional information or detailed guidance, the applicant will find additional documents located throughout this website.
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