Township Considers Buffer Rules

A new ordinance proposes changes to the township’s buffer regulations, particularly what can be considered a buffer.

The ordinance was introduced during the Township Committee’s June 14 meeting, and stems from concerns from the township’s Planning Board.

“Ordinance 2011-14 was prepared in order to clarify several concerns that had been discussed at various Planning Board meetings regarding buffers,” Mayor Gloria McCauley said when introducing the ordinance. “This includes what may be permitted in a buffer area that is intended to act as a buffer. Since conservation easements have often been used in buffer areas, they’ve been added to buffer regulations.”

The existing buffer regulations allow fences and walls, however, certain other land facets have been used as site buffers in various site plan proposals, Township Planner Bob Ringelheim said.

“Past board policy has been to also allow berms where they provide screening that would in effect make them part of a buffer,” he said. “So we’re clarifying section 38 (of the Township Code) to allow berms and storm water basins with the appropriate landscaping for buffering.”

“As the mayor said we’re also now able to make conservation easements along with the buffers, as another tool in preserving areas that shouldn’t be developed,” he added.

Several discussion on requirements occurred during Planning Board meetings, though the committee did not cite specific cases.

“Typically, we want to make sure that the applicant’s coming in knowing what the buffer requirements are and what can go in and what can’t,” Committeeman Frank DelCore said. “Just to make sure there’s no confusion going forward, I think it’s the right thing to do going forward and to make sure everyone knows the rules going forward.

A public hearing and vote on the ordinance is scheduled for July 26.