Have you ever wanted to comment on a proposed new development — either pro or con — and discovered that you were too late?
Have you been confused by the process and don’t know where to start?
The Hopewell Valley League of Women Voters will host a public forum to provide a primer for the land-development process and how residents can get involved.
The program will be on Wednesday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. in the Hopewell Township Municipal Building at 201 Washington Crossing–Pennington Road.
“Development 101”will provide an introduction to the planning and zoning process, how it affects decisions in the Hopewell Valley and how to have a voice in the process.
Barry Chalofsky, a professional planner and a resident of Lawrence Township, will present an overview of the planning and zoning process in New Jersey to help residents learn the structure and the rules that govern it.
Theresa Menders, co-chair of the event, said: “We are pleased to have Mr. Chalofsky as the cornerstone of this program. He knows this material well, as he has been teaching a Rutgers course on environmental planning and the development process for many years. As a resident of Lawrence, he knows our area.”
A panel of municipal representatives will present a local perspective, explain which planning/zoning format is used in each town and discuss upcoming comment deadlines on the horizon.
Participants will be Winn Thompson (Pennington Borough Planning and Zoning Board), Peter Macholdt (Hopewell Borough Planning Board) and William Connolly (Hopewell Township Zoning Board of Adjustment).
The panelists won’t be able to answer questions about specific projects that are before their boards because of the rules.
For information, contact Joann Held, president of LWVHV, at 609-737-0867 or email [email protected].
