Township of Franklin, NJ Article XIV Kingston Village Advisory Committee.

[Adopted 2-12-2002 by Ord. No. 3270 (Ch. 29 of the 1990 Code); amended in its entirety 11-23-2021 by Ord. No. 4353-21]

§ 13-56 Establishment.

A. In association with the state's center-designation program, a Joint Township Advisory Committee for the Designated Village Center of Kingston (Village Center) and its Designated Environs (Environs) was established by ordinance by the Council of the Township of Franklin and the Council of the Township of South Brunswick. In Franklin Township this was accomplished by Ordinance No. 3270A adopted on February 2, 2002. In the Township of South Brunswick this was accomplished by Ordinance N091-01 adopted on December 11, 2001. The Joint Township Advisory Committee for the Designated Village Center of Kingston and its Environs has been commonly referred to as the "Kingston Village Advisory Committee" or "KVAC." For all intents and purposes, the state has now eliminated the center-designation program and has mandated that the only means of maintaining state-designation of a center is via the state's plan endorsement process. The state's plan endorsement process is very complicated, time consuming and expensive with little to no benefit to either Township. However, both Franklin Township and the Township of South Brunswick continue to recognize the benefit of having a joint-Township advisory committee regarding the planning of the Village Center and its Environs. Therefore, the Advisory Committee is hereby reestablished and officially renamed the "Kingston Village Advisory Committee (KVAC)."

B. As part of the center designation process a planning and implementation agenda (PIA) was established which addresses specific items under the general headings of land use, economic development, transportation, natural resource conservation, recreation, historic preservation and intergovernmental coordination, all of which affect the quality of life of the residents of Kingston. Moving forward, the PIA shall be a document of the Kingston Village Advisory Committee. As such, KVAC may maintain, update and/or amend the PIA as it deems appropriate.

C. The boundaries of the Village Center and Environs within Franklin Township are outlined in the map below.

§ 13-57 Purpose.

The purpose of the Kingston Village Advisory Committee (KVAC) is to:

A. Make recommendations to the respective Township Councils to ensure that the PIA for the Village Center and its Environs is actively pursued by all relevant parties.

B. Act as a conduit for communications between the Townships and the residents of the Village Center and Environs.

C. Advise and assist the Councils, Planning Boards, other committees, boards, commissions, and task forces, and the administrations of both the Township of Franklin and the Township of South Brunswick on matters related to the Village Center of Kingston and its Environs. This may include, but may not necessarily be limited to, recommending incorporation of PIA items into Township ordinances and Master Plans.

§ 13-58 Composition and appointment; officers; terms.

A. Composition and appointment. The Kingston Village Advisory Committee shall consist of:

(1) Six of the members must reside or work within the Designated Village Center or its Environs. Three such members shall be appointed by the Franklin Township Council, and three such members shall be appointed by the South Brunswick Township Council. The seventh member shall be appointed by KVAC.

(2) There shall be two Township liaisons, one from each Township Council. Liaisons are nonvoting members of the Committee.

(3) The Planning Directors, or their designees, from each Township shall be ex-officio technical staff.

B. Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be elected annually by the Kingston Village Advisory Committee from among the seven voting members at the first meeting of each calendar year.

C. Terms.

(1) Voting members shall serve on the Kingston Village Advisory Committee for terms of three years. Liaisons serve terms of one year. Planning Directors shall serve for the period of time they hold such positions in their respective Townships.

(2) The terms of the first members of the Committee shall be as follows:

(a) Three members for a term of office to expire on December 31, 2002;

(b) One member from the Township of Franklin and one member from the Township of South Brunswick for a term of office to expire on December 31, 2003;

(c) One member from the Township of Franklin and one member from the Township of South Brunswick for a term of office to expire on December 31, 2004.

(3) The successors of the first members of the Committee shall be appointed by both Township Councils for terms of three years.

(4) The terms of the Township liaisons to the Committee will expire on December 31 of each year.

(5) Members shall serve for their respective terms and until their successors thereafter have been appointed and qualified.

§ 13-59 Vacancies.

A. (Reserved)

B. (Reserved)

C. In the event of vacancy occurring on the Committee, other than by the expiration of a term, such vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as an original appointment.

§ 13-60 Meetings; rules; quorum.

A. The Kingston Village Advisory Committee shall meet quarterly, but more frequent meetings may be arranged, if necessary. All meetings will be publicly noticed at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

B. The meeting place shall be at either of the two Township's Municipal Buildings or at a suitable site within the Kingston Designated Village Center or its Environs.

C. The Committee shall have the power to establish bylaws and rules for the conduct of its meetings.

D. A simple majority of the voting members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. Passage of any motion requires an affirmative vote by a majority of the voting members present.

§ 13-61 Powers and duties.

A. Powers. The Kingston Village Advisory Committee shall serve as part of the governments of the Township of Franklin and Township of South Brunswick in support of and consistent with the purposes contained in § 13-57.

B. Duties. The specific duties of the Kingston Village Advisory Committee include, but are not limited to, the following areas:

(1) To monitor and encourage progress on the PIA.

(2) To assist the Townships, the counties, the state, and the federal government in their efforts to achieve the stated objectives of the PIA.

(3) To serve as a communication link between residents and businesses located within the boundaries of the Kingston Village Center and its Environs and municipal, county, and state governments and independent agencies.

(4) To assist in the application for grants and other fund-raising activities to achieve the objectives outlined in the PIA.

(5) To maintain, update and/or amend the PIA.

(6) To keep records of its meetings and activities and issue an annual progress report to the two Township Councils.

(7) To submit to the Planning Departments of the Townships no later than the month of October an estimate of its financial needs for the coming year.

§ 13-62 Staffing and funding.

A. The Kingston Village Advisory Committee may make a recommendation to both Township Managers for the appointment of a recording secretary, the appointment to be made and compensation set by the Township Managers.

B. Other staffing needs approved by the Township Councils shall be met by the Township Planning Departments.

C. Any such staffing expenses shall be within the limits of the funds appropriated by the Township Councils to their respective Planning Departments for purposes of funding the Committee.

§ 13-63 (Reserved)