The Planning Director shall be appointed by the Mayor and Council. The
Planning Director may be removed from office for cause, cause being defined
as the failure to perform the duties of Planning Director, as defined in this
chapter, or mental and/or physical incompetence to perform the duties of the
position of Planning Director. If the Planning Director is to be removed for
cause, he may request a public hearing, which shall be held not earlier than
15 days nor later than 30 days after his submission of his request to the
Mayor and Council. Within five days after the submission of a request for
public hearing to the Mayor and Council, it shall supply the Planning Director
with a specification of charges.
In order to qualify for the position of Planning Director, a person
shall hold a bachelor's degree in planning and urban studies and shall,
in addition, have at least five years' experience in state, regional
and municipal planning with three years in an administrative or supervisory
position. Furthermore, the individual must possess a valid professional planner's
license issued by the State of New Jersey.
The Planning Director shall receive such compensation as prescribed
by ordinance.
The duties of the Planning Director shall include the following:
A. Serve as technical planning advisor to the Mayor and
Council, Planning Board, Industrial Committee, Environmental Committee, Recreation Committee and Zoning Board;
and conduct such studies as shall be requested and approved by the Mayor and
Council.
B. Receive plans of proposed subdivisions of land within
the township; review such plans for conformity to sound planning and design
principles; recommend redesign of subdivisions; and make studies of land subdivision
in an attempt to integrate subdivisions with overall plans of the township.
C. Receive plans of proposed developments within the township;
review the design of site plans in coordination with surrounding properties;
and recommend the design of site plans.
D. Study and analyze matters, such as but not limited to
transportation, land use, natural and human resources, housing and capital
improvements; and prepare and submit findings and recommendations to the Planning
Board, Mayor and Council, Industrial Committee, Environmental Committee and Zoning Board.
E. Secure data and analyze zoning problems for the purpose
of making reports to the Zoning Board.
F. Recommend and assist in the preparation of amendments
to the Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Master Plan and other development, conservation and planning regulations
and ordinances.
G. Review and analyze the ordinances and plans of surrounding
municipalities, counties and states; analyze and report on proposed development
in adjacent municipalities as it may affect the township; and coordinate planning,
development and conservation programs with the adjoining municipalities, counties
and state.
The Planning Director shall be the chief administrative and executive
officer in the Department of Planning and Development. He shall be responsible
for the activities and work assignments of the Department of Planning and
Development and, furthermore, have complete control over the internal policies,
procedures, rules, regulations and organization of the Department of Planning
and Development, subject to all applicable ordinances and statutes. He shall
be responsible for recruiting and hiring personnel for positions in the Department
of Planning and Development and make decisions in reference to suspensions
and other disciplinary actions, including the termination or dismissal of
employees.
The staff of the Department of Planning and Development, including supervisors,
inspectors and clerical staff, shall be responsible to the Director, as established
in an ordinance creating the Department of Planning and Development.