Master Plan Now Official

With a quick, unanimous vote, the Cranford Planning Board approved a motion on Wednesday to officially put the new Cranford Master Plan in writing. After over two years of work, the board has now completed their work on the project.

“Everyone is a little giddy because we got the Master Plan done,” Mayor Robinson said. The board approved the final version of the Cranford Master Plan with a vote at the September 30 public hearing on the plan, and approved the motion to put it in writing on Wednesday.

Deputy Mayor Mark Smith gave the final remarks on the plan by thanking Planning Board Chair Richard Brightman for his leadership and hard work on the project. Smith said that the board was in close to a chaotic state before Brightman took over and that his leadership was essential in drafting the new plan.

The Planning Board also continued to review and make revisions to new ordinances sent to them by the Township Council.

Among the proposed changes, the Township Council has suggested that the town’s zoning officer also be designated as an enforcement officer to help ensure the zoning laws are being followed in the town.

The town has also proposed a new ordinance for the use of PODS portable storage units. Under the new ordinance, residents would be allowed to put a PODS unit at the furthest point away from the street on their driveway or in their backyard for 30 days. They would also be allowed to apply for an additional 30-day extension before the unit must be moved.

The Planning Board suggested a change in wording of the ordinance to clarify that residents can only apply for one additional 30-day extension.

The suggested revisions will be sent back to the Township Council, and the Planning Board’s next scheduled meeting is for October 21.