Stockton steep-slope law finalized

The ordinance has been sent to the Borough Council for its approval.

By: Linda Seida
   STOCKTON — The Planning Board has finalized a steep-slope ordinance and forwarded it to the Borough Council for approval, placing it in line to be included in the town’s Master Plan when it is updated over the coming year.
   About 10 people turned out for the board meeting Nov. 15, a number that’s "a lot for Stockton," board Chairman Richard Schuck said.
   He added he was "very surprised" there was not a lot of comment from the public concerning the proposed ordinance, which he said might indicate residents’ satisfaction.
   "It would not affect hardly anyone in town presently," Mr. Schuck said, because "the town is pretty much built up. It would be any future new construction."
   Also affected would be residents who want to modify their properties on a few streets, such as Church and Broad, because those roads sit on slopes, according to Mr. Schuck.
   If the council approves the ordinance, which could happen at the next council meeting Monday, construction will not be permitted on slopes of more than 20 percent without first obtaining a variance. A variance would allow for construction on a slope of up to 25 percent.
   Also during the board meeting last week, the board held a public hearing to discuss the borough’s natural resources inventory. The NRI was compiled by the borough’s Environmental Commission and lists all of Stockton’s environmental, cultural and historic resources. The NRI will be consulted as the town works on a land use element for its Master Plan.
   The Master Plan was last updated in 2001 and must be updated every six years.