Overflow Crowd For Constroversial Ordinances Forces Howell Meeting Postponement

HOWELL, NJ — The Howell Township Council postponed action on much of its agenda Tuesday night due to an overflow crowd of residents who turned out for a set of ordinances that would make changes to some residential zoning rules.

The crowd exceeded the capacity limits for the main meeting room and a secondary overflow room under fire safety codes, township attorney Caitlin Harney said.

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To meet the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act and give every resident who wanted to speak on the ordinances the opportunity to do so, the council adjourned the meeting without taking action on the ordinances.

Harney said the ordinances that were scheduled for final hearings would be rescheduled to another meeting at a date to be determined, along with a larger site.

Four of the ordinances would make changes to township's land use rules, while the fifth that was on the agenda for a final hearing and vote would require every commercial business to get a merchantile license.

The ordinances were as follows. You can read them at the links.

ORDINANCE O-26-10: This ordinance would require merchantile licenses for every commercial business in the township. Rental properties/landlords already are required to obtain them, according to the ordinance.

ORDINANCE O-26-11: This ordinance sets the maximum allowable percentage of impervious coverage — the amount of pavement and buildings — on a piece of property. It sets limits on the types of coverage in the front yard of a home as well.

ORDINANCE O-26-12: This ordinance would standardize regulations governing private garages and residential driveways to "ensure adequate off-street parking, manage impervious surface coverage, and preserve the residential character and quality of life that defines the township’s residential neighborhoods," it says. It sets rules for driveways along with a requirement for a garage based on the size of the home, with existing homes exempted.

ORDINANCE O-26-13: This ordinance sets rules for accessory buildings on residential lots, including sheds, pool cabanas,
storage buildings, and detached garages, and limits the types of accessory buildings that are legally permitted. It also sets rules and restrictions on how the buildings can be used.

ORDINANCE O-26-15: This ordinance requires sewer lines to be placed for future servicing of newly constructed homes, to prepare for extension of sewer service.