Raritan Zoning Board Eliminates Term Limits for Chairperson, Approves Key Resolutions

At the Raritan Zoning Board meeting held on January 15, 2026, members approved changes to their bylaws, notably removing the chairperson term limit, and addressed various resolutions, including extending deadlines for developers and discussing ongoing litigation.

The most notable development was the removal of a sentence from the bylaws that limited the chairperson to two consecutive terms. This change allows Cynthia Schaefer to continue her leadership of the board without the previously mandated gap year. This decision was made after board member Donna Drewes proposed the amendment, leading to a unanimous vote to strike the restriction from the bylaws. The board swiftly moved to nominate and approve Schaefer as chairperson for another term, highlighting the confidence in her leadership. Alongside her appointment, Russell Adami was nominated and approved as vice-chair without opposition.

Following the reorganization, the board tackled various resolutions crucial for the township’s operational and regulatory framework. Of particular note was Resolution 2026-05, which updated policies for adequate notice in compliance with new New Jersey laws. This resolution necessitated detailed reading and discussion to ensure all board members understood the updated requirements for public notifications. The township is in the process of establishing a dedicated web page for public notices, with expectations to complete the project before March 1, 2026. This timeline was emphasized to avoid any disruptions in meeting schedules.

In the realm of real estate and development, the board addressed several applications requiring extensions or modifications to previously set conditions. A notable case involved Pioneer Developers, Inc., where the board approved changes to extend the timeline for obtaining a permanent certificate of occupancy and revising the amended site plan. This decision allows the developer until August 4, 2026, to secure the necessary occupancy certification, with additional time granted for site plan modifications. The board confirmed that initial reforestation efforts, part of the development conditions, were underway with over 700 trees planted.

The meeting also covered an application from Hire and Storage, Inc., which sought approval to construct two additional self-storage buildings. The board granted the necessary variances and site plan approval unanimously, paving the way for the expansion of storage facilities on existing concrete pads. Similarly, the board approved modifications for 68 Route 31 Flemington LLC, extending the deadlines for revising site and subdivision plans.

In addition to these resolutions, the board postponed a public hearing concerning a C variance application for an inground pool construction, allowing more time to address stormwater management and potential wetlands issues. The hearing was rescheduled for April 2, 2026.

The meeting concluded with discussions on ongoing litigation involving Flemington 202 and the Raritan Township Municipal Utilities Authority. The mediation had concluded without resolution, leading to an expedited discovery schedule set by the court.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Bob King
Zoning Board Officials:
Cynthia Schaefer, Rasul Damji, Randy Block, Steve Farsiou, Lindsey Kuhl-Brengel, James Ferraro, Laurette Kratina, Donna Drewes, James Miller, Jonathan Drill, Esq. (Board Attorney), Jeffrey Vaccarella, Aicp, PP (Township Planner), Rakesh Darji, PE (Township & Temporary Engineer), Mark Kataryniak, PE (Temporary Board Engineer), John Morgan Thomas, ASLA (Township & Board Landscape Architect), Jessica Caldwell, Aicp, PP (Board Planner), Jay Troutman, PE (Board Traffic Consultant), Jackie Klapp, CCR (Board Stenographer)

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