(A) Establishment and composition of the Planning Board. A Planning Board is hereby created for the purposes set forth in this chapter and for such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to it by the Township Committee. The Planning Board shall consist of nine members and two alternates, who shall be designated "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2".
(B) Membership.
(1) Members shall be appointed according to the following classes:
(a) Class I - The Mayor, or in the Mayors absence, the Mayor's designee.
(b) Class II - One of the officials of the township other than a member of the Township Committee, to be appointed by the Mayor. However, if there is an Environmental Commission, the member of the Environmental Commission who is also a member of the Planning Board as required by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 shall be deemed to be the Class II Planning Board member for purposes of this chapter in the event that there be among the Class IV or alternate members of the Planning Board both a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and a member of the Board of Education.
(c) Class III - A member of the Township Committee to be appointed by it.
(d) Class IV - Other citizens of the township, to be appointed by the Mayor. Members of Class IV shall hold no other municipal office, position or employment except that one member may be a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment or Historic Preservation Commission, if established pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1, and one member may be a member of the Board of Education. If there is an Environmental Commission, the member of the Environmental Commission who is also a member of the Planning Board as required by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 shall be a Class IV member unless there be among the Class IV or alternate members of the Planning Board both a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and a member of the Board of Education, in which case the member common to the Planning Board and Environmental Commission shall be deemed a Class II member of the Planning Board. For the purposes of this section, membership on a township board or commission whose function is advisory in nature, and the establishment of which is discretionary and not required by statute, shall not be considered the holding of a township office.
(2) Terms of members. Members and alternates of the Planning Board existent under the prior zoning ordinance shall retain their membership and their terms shall continue until their term would have expired under the prior ordinance. New appointments to the Planning Board shall be for a term as specified by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-23 and 23.1, except in the case of a vacancy created by the resignation or removal of a member or alternate, in which case such vacancy shall be filled by appointment as above provided for the duration of the unexpired term.
(3) Members and alternates shall not participate in any hearing in which they have, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
(4) Any member or alternate other than the Mayor, after a public hearing if he or she requests it, may be removed by the Township Committee for cause.
(5) Alternate members.
(a) Alternate members shall be appointed by the Mayor and shall meet the qualifications of Class IV members.
(b) Alternate members may participate in discussions of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification of a regular member.
(c) A vote shall not be delayed to permit the voting of an absent regular member.
(d) In the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 will vote.
(6) Substitute members. If the Planning Board lacks a quorum because any of its regular or alternate members is prohibited from acting on a matter due to the member's personal or financial interests therein, regular members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall be called upon to serve, for that matter only, as temporary members of the Planning Board. Members of the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall be chosen in order of seniority of continuous service to the Board of Adjustment until there are the minimum number of members necessary to constitute a quorum to act upon the matter. If a choice has to be made between regular members of equal seniority, the Chairperson of the Board of Adjustment shall make the choice.
(Ord. 945-99, passed 9-13-99; Am. Ord. 35-00, passed 12-28-00)