Township of Wayne

The Wayne Township Planning Board reviewed an application to amend a condition of approval for property located at 1361 Alps Road. The applicant, RLS-CAL Wayne Owner, LLC, seeks to eliminate the requirement for unconditional approval from the Passaic County Planning Board before commencing site work. The applicant has met all other conditions of approval and is requesting permission to begin construction and infrastructure work, including grading, site clearing, and tree removal, without waiting for the county's unconditional approval. The board also reviewed resolution PB-2023-022, which detailed preliminary and final site plan approval, major subdivision approval, and other variances and exceptions for the construction of an inclusionary residential community with 449 units.

The Housing Plan for Wayne Township focuses on satisfying the Township's constitutional obligation for the Fourth Round, which begins on July 1, 2025, and ends on June 30, 2035. The plan addresses the rehabilitation obligation, the First and Second Rounds obligation, the Third Round obligation, and the Fourth Round obligation. It includes strategies for affordable housing administration, affirmative marketing, and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. The plan aims to achieve a Compliance Certification and protect the Township from builder's remedy litigation through July 2035.

The Master Plan Re-Exam sets the Township's vision for itself, establishing long term goals and policies to govern the usage and development of land. Key issues addressed include the character of the community, locations of land uses, transportation/circulation strategies, and economic development. The re-exam aims to ensure the master plan and development regulations are sufficient to advance the vision of the Township and adjust to changing circumstances. It involves engagement, policy change, and follow-up master plan amendments based on public input.

The Planning Board reviewed an application for amended site plan approval. The applicant sought approval for minor modifications made to the building and site from that previously approved by the Board. The discussion included requests for waivers related to digital media submission, a Letter of Interpretation from the NJ DEP, and the location of off-tract items. The board also discussed design standard exceptions and environmental protection waivers.

The Township of Wayne's Master Plan Re-examination focuses on promoting growth to stimulate the Township's economy and restore its tax base, while preserving the community's character. Key strategies include redeveloping underutilized properties, enhancing connectivity between areas, promoting mixed-use development, and maximizing mass transit connections. The plan addresses demographic shifts and economic changes, such as aging buildings, vacancies, and the preferences of new generations, to reinvent the Township and prevent disinvestment.