[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Franklin 1-25-2022 by Ord. No. O-2-22. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
There shall be a Department of Code Enforcement and Land Use, the
head of which shall be the Director of Code Enforcement and Land Use.
The Department of Code Enforcement and Land Use shall consist of the
following divisions:
B.
Director of Code Enforcement and Land Use.
(1)
The Director shall be appointed by the Township Committee by resolution
and shall supervise the work of the Department and its Divisions.
The Director shall be a Township Department Head.
(2)
Duties of the Director of Code Enforcement and Land Use:
(a)
Assume full management responsibility for all Code Enforcement
and Land Use Department services and activities, including comprehensive
review of the zoning code, processing of land use applications, and
coordinating code compliance; recommend and administer policies and
procedures.
(b)
Manage the development and implementation of the Code Enforcement
and Land Use Department goals, objectives, policies, and priorities
for each division.
(c)
Recommend, with Township policy, appropriate service and staffing
level; monitor and evaluate work methods and procedures; allocate
resources accordingly.
(d)
Plan, direct and coordinate the Code Enforcement and Land Use
Department's work plan; assign projects and programmatic areas
of responsibility; review and evaluate work methods and procedures
meet with management staff to identify and resolve problems.
(e)
Assess and monitor workload, administrative, and support systems
and internal reporting relationships; identify opportunities for improvement;
direct and implement changes.
(f)
Select, train, motivate and evaluate Code Enforcement and Land
Use Department personnel; provide or coordinate staff training.
(g)
Oversee and participate in the development and administration
of the Code Enforcement and Land Use Department budget; review funding
needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
(h)
Review, prepare and propose revisions to zoning ordinances for
review by Township Committee; interact with community groups, citizens
and businesses involved with zoning-related issues and community development.
(i)
Assist, in concert with other departments, in the management
of economic development activities; develop strategies to assist in
business growth.
(j)
Review and process planning applications; ensure compliance
with appropriate laws, codes, regulations and ordinances.
(k)
Develop, justify and forecast Code Enforcement and Land Use
Department programs, policies and activities, negotiate and resolve
sensitive and controversial issues in area of Land Use.
(l)
Represent the Code Enforcement and Land Use Department to other
Township departments, elected officials, and outside activities, coordinate
Code Enforcement and Land Use Department activities with those of
other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
(m)
Interact with developers, contractors, and the public on construction
and land use issues; provide information on planning and zoning requirements.
(n)
Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries
and complaints.
(o)
Develop long and short term planning goals.
(p)
Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.
C.
Divisions within Department of Code Enforcement and Land Use. The
role of the five divisions of the Department of Code Enforcement and
Land Use shall be:
(1)
Division of Zoning and Planning. There shall be, within the Department
of Code Enforcement and Land Use, a Division of Zoning and Planning
Boards, the head of which shall be the Land Use Administrator of the
Township of Franklin, who shall also be the Director of Code Enforcement
and Land Use.
(a)
The Division shall be responsible for the coordination of applications
between the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment. The Division
shall maintain materials for all those persons within the Township
who seek Board review of subdivisions, site plans or any other reviews
as are entrusted to the Planning Board by law.
(b)
The Land Use Administrator will coordinate and supervise the
employees of the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment and will
determine which Board has jurisdiction to hear the application.
(c)
The Land Use Administrator is responsible for reviewing applications
for zoning permits and the granting or denying of such permits in
accordance with the zoning ordinances of the Township of Franklin.
(2)
Zoning. There is hereby created within the Department of Code Enforcement
and Land Use the Division of Zoning. The Division of Zoning Department
shall be supervised by the Zoning Officer.
(a)
General job description.
[1]
Examine working plans of proposed structures for compliance
with state, county and local land use ordinances.
[2]
Consult with architects, engineers, attorneys, prospective developers
and residents on compliance with zoning regulations.
[3]
Investigate all violations or alleged violations, land management,
and direct the establishment and maintenance of records and files
of the same.
[4]
Initiate legal action against violations, land management, and
make court appearances as required.
[5]
Make necessary inspections to determine building locations or
uses are as shown on approved plans and are being constructed in compliance
with the Zoning Ordinance; assist in promulgation of zoning regulations.
[6]
Prepare reports as needed and as required by department head
and Township Mayor.
[7]
Perform other related work as required and assigned by department
head and Township Mayor.
(b)
Qualifications for Zoning Officer. Persons with mental or physical
disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the functions
of the job after reasonable accommodations are made for their known
limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would
cause the Township undue hardship, such person may not be eligible.
The Zoning Officer shall have the following qualifications for the
position:
[1]
Three years of experience in the preparation and revision of
building construction plans and specifications or in the full-time
inspection and enforcement of zoning and/or building construction
laws and regulations.
[2]
A thorough knowledge of the principles and municipal codes governing
zoning standards.
[3]
The ability to read, write, speak ad communicate in English
sufficiently to perform the duties of the position.
[4]
Ability to analyze and interpret the local Zoning Ordinance
and other local ordinances that apply to buildings and State and County
laws, rules, regulations and policies applicable to zoning.
[5]
Ability to read building plans, plot plans and specifications.
[6]
Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports
containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
[7]
Ability to recognize conditions that do not meet established
standards and enforce proper practices with firmness and tact.
[8]
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
with associates and the general public.
[9]
A valid driver's license of the State of New Jersey.
(c)
Salary. Salary for the position of Zoning Officer shall be set
forth in the Township's Salary Ordinance.
(4)
Division of Construction. The Construction Code Official shall be
the Division Head of the Division of Construction. The Construction
Code Official shall supervise the entire Division of Construction
in accordance with State statutes. The Construction Division shall
perform all the statutory duties required of the Construction Code
Official. In the absence of the Construction Code Official, the Land
Use Administrator shall provide assistance to applicants and the public,
as well as supervise employees of the Division of Construction. The
Land Use Administrator shall attend Court to testify on any violations
issued by anyone in the Division of Construction.
(5)
Division of Code Enforcement. There is hereby created the Division
of Code Enforcement, who shall be under the direction and supervision
of the Land Use Administrator. The Division shall be staffed by the
Code Enforcement Officer.
(a)
Powers and duties of Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement
Officer shall, under the supervision and direction of the Land Use
Administrator, perform the following duties and responsibilities:
[1]
Develop, coordinate and implement the various code enforcement
activities and operations.
[2]
Conduct overall administrative activities related to the performance
of said activities.
[3]
Enforce the Township ordinance and codes, including, but not
limited to, land use, trailer park/mobile home park, signs, swimming
pools, junkyard, commercial and industrial maintenance, litter and
such other codes and ordinances of the Township as to presently exist
or which may be enacted in the future, unless the duty to enforce
such codes or ordinances is specifically assigned to another office
of the Township or licensure or special qualifications are required
pursuant to any state statute.
[4]
Make investigations in furtherance of said activities and serve
violation notices, make and process complaints for code violations
and make appearances before boards and commissions of the Township,
make court appearances and render testimony in the prosecution of
any such summons and complaints.
[5]
Where required, the enforcement official shall coordinate the
investigation and prosecution of any violation with the Gloucester
County Board of Health, Franklin Township Police, Gloucester County
Prosecutor, State Attorney General and New Jersey Department of Environmental
Protection.
[6]
All related activities that may be required for the full implementation
of the basic duties.
(b)
Qualifications of Code Enforcement Officer. The Code Enforcement
Officer shall be an employee of the Township.
