Rockaway, New Jersey

Board of Adjustment

The Rockaway Township Board of Adjustment will consider two resolutions and hold two public hearings. Resolutions involve a D variance for Brookes at 554 Mt. Hope Ave and a C variance (new dwelling, setbacks & impervious coverage) for Seifert at 1 Sunnyside Lane. Public hearings will address a preliminary/final site plan with C & D variances for Amaya at 488 Mt. Hope Road and a C variance (new dwelling, steep slopes) for Takier at 93 W Lake Shore Drive.

• Resolution BOA #25-16: Brookes – D variance at 554 Mt. Hope Ave (Block 11301 Lot 39)
• Resolution BOA #26-06: Seifert – C variance for new dwelling at 1 Sunnyside Lane (Block 40307 Lot 1)
• Public hearing BOA #26-02: Amaya – preliminary/final site plan with C & D variances at 488 Mt. Hope Road (Block 11402 Lot 9)
• Public hearing BOA #26-05: Takier – C variance for new dwelling on steep slopes at 93 W Lake Shore Drive (Block 20702 Lot 15)

Board of Adjustment

The Rockaway Township Board of Adjustment will hold public hearings and consider resolutions for several variance applications, including a new single-family dwelling, a deck rear-yard setback, and a preliminary/final site plan with multiple variances. The board will also approve minutes from May 19 and address public comment.

• BOA #25-16 – Brookes: D Variance at 554 Mt. Hope Ave
• BOA #26-03 – Savino: C Variance for new single-family dwelling (impervious coverage & front yard setback) at 6 Lyonsville Road
• BOA #26-04 – Mesia: C Variance for deck rear-yard setback at 238 Mt. Hope Ave
• BOA #26-06 – Seifert: C Variance for new dwelling (setbacks & impervious coverage) at 1 Sunnyside Lane
• BOA #26-02 – Amaya: Preliminary/Final Site Plan with C & D variances at 488 Mt. Hope Road

Planning Board

The Rockaway Township Planning Board will consider a referral from the Township Clerk regarding Ordinance O-26-23, which would amend the land use code to designate data centers as a prohibited use in all zoning districts. The board must issue a consistency report within 35 days. Also on the agenda is a resolution for a minor site plan with a variance for Cibao Meat Products at 92 Green Pond Road. The meeting includes approval of prior minutes and public comment.

• Referral of Ordinance O-26-23 to prohibit data centers in all zoning districts
• Resolution PB#2563 for Cibao Meat Products – minor site plan with 'C' variance for a generator at 92 Green Pond Road (Block 22103, Lots 16, 29 & 30)
• Approval of minutes from April 20, 2026
• Open to the Public session

Township Council

The council will introduce two ordinances: one to prohibit data centers townwide (O-26-23) and another to amend food and beverage regulations (O-26-24). They will also vote on adopting ordinances for ADA improvements funded by a $73,963 grant, a water filtration easement from Fox Crest HOA, and procedural changes. A consent agenda includes liquor license renewals, a tax refund, a grant application for Circle Drive improvements, a developer's agreement amendment at 1076 Green Pond Road, and sales of surplus property and a liquor license.

• Introduction of O-26-23 to ban data centers as a prohibited use in all zoning districts
• Adoption of O-26-20 appropriating $73,963 for municipal building ADA improvements via a CDBG grant
• Consent agenda: R-26-113 authorizing a NJDOT grant application for Circle Drive roadway improvements
• Consent agenda: R-26-114 amending a developer's agreement for 1076 Green Pond Road with extended completion date
• Consent agenda: R-26-116 authorizing public sale of a plenary retail distribution liquor license

Township Council

The Rockaway Township Council will consider several ordinances, including a $401,812.81 pedestrian safety and connectivity project near Copeland Middle and Stony Brook Elementary schools. It will also adopt ordinances for ADA building improvements, sewer and water code amendments, and licensing standards for body art establishments. Additional items include approval of May 12 meeting minutes and a consent agenda of resolutions on fireworks, tax refunds, and budget revenue items.

• O-26-18: Ordinance providing $401,812.81 for pedestrian safety and connectivity improvements near Copeland Middle and Stony Brook Elementary schools
• O-26-20: Ordinance allocating $73,963 for municipal building ADA improvements funded by a community development block grant
• O-26-17: Ordinance amending Chapter 15 (Sewer and Water) of the Revised General Ordinances
• O-26-19: Ordinance adding Article XVII to Chapter 28 to establish licensing and standards for body art establishments
• R-26-104: Resolution conditionally authorizing a public fireworks display for White Meadow Lake Property Owners Association

The council approved the May 12 meeting minutes (8‑1). It introduced three ordinances (O‑26‑20, O‑26‑21, O‑26‑22) and adopted three ordinances, including a $401,812.81 Safe Routes to School project (O‑26‑18) and a body‑art licensing ordinance (O‑26‑19). A motion removed four resolutions (R‑26‑106 to R‑26‑110) from the consent agenda for separate consideration (7‑2).

• Approved May 12 Council minutes (8‑1)
• Introduced Ordinance O‑26‑20 (ADA building improvements) (9‑0)
• Introduced Ordinance O‑26‑21 (water‑filtration easement) (9‑0)
• Introduced Ordinance O‑26‑22 (administrative code amendment) (8‑1)
• Adopted Ordinance O‑26‑17 (sewer/water fee changes) (8‑1)
• Adopted Ordinance O‑26‑18 (pedestrian safety improvements, $401,812.81) (9‑0)
• Adopted Ordinance O‑26‑19 (body‑art licensing) (9‑0)
• Removed Resolutions R‑26‑106, R‑26‑107, R‑26‑109, R‑26‑110 from consent agenda (7‑2)

Board of Adjustment

The Rockaway Township Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing and vote on several variance applications, including a new single-family dwelling on Lyonsville Road. Decisions will be made on 'C' and 'D' variances for properties on Mt. Hope Avenue, Carrell Street, and Pawnee Avenue.

• Savino application for a new single-family dwelling at 6 Lyonsville Road seeking 'C' variance for impervious coverage and front yard setback
• Amaya preliminary/final site plan at 488 Mt. Hope Road with 'C' and 'D' variances
• Dickerson amended final site plan at Carrell Street with 'C' and 'D' variances
• Mesia public hearing for 'C' variance for a deck rear yard setback at 238 Mt. Hope Avenue
• Brookes resolution for 'D' variance at 554 Mt. Hope Avenue

Township Council

The Rockaway Township Council will consider introducing three ordinances, including one for pedestrian safety and connectivity improvements near Copeland Middle and Stony Brook Elementary schools, appropriating $401,812.81 from a federal-aid grant. Another ordinance would amend sewer and water regulations, and a third would regulate body art establishments. The council will also vote on adopting ordinances on farmers markets and parks, and act on a consent agenda that includes a shared-services agreement for five Class III special law enforcement officers with the school board.

• Appropriation of $401,812.81 from NJDOT grant for pedestrian safety improvements near Copeland Middle and Stony Brook Elementary schools (O-26-18)
• Introduction of ordinance to regulate body art establishments (O-26-19)
• Consent agenda resolution authorizing contract with RealAuction.com for municipal tax lien sale for 2026 (R-26-97)
• Shared-services agreement with school board for five Class III special law enforcement officers (R-26-99)
• Resolution establishing sanitary sewer maintenance fee for single-family dwellings (R-26-91)

The Township Council introduced four ordinances and adopted five ordinances, including pedestrian safety improvements and body art licensing. The council also approved a soil disturbance permit for a farm property.

• Introduced O-26-17 amending sewer and water code (8-0)
• Introduced O-26-18 for pedestrian safety at schools (8-0)
• Introduced O-26-19 for body art establishment licensing (8-0)
• Adopted O-26-14 adding farmers markets to health code (8-0)
• Adopted O-26-15 amending health and environment sections (8-0)
• Adopted O-26-16 amending parks and recreational facilities (8-0)
• Approved soil disturbance permit for Block 60001 Lot 7 (4-3-1)
• Removed two items from consent agenda for separate discussion (8-0)

Board of Adjustment

The Rockaway Township Board of Adjustment will vote on two resolutions for variance applications and hold a public hearing for a new variance request. The resolutions include a minor subdivision with variances for a duplex at 46 Pawnee Ave (BOA #25-01) and a "D" variance at 554 Mt. Hope Ave (BOA #25-16). The public hearing is for a "C" variance for a new single-family dwelling at 6 Lyonsville Road (BOA #26-03). The board will also discuss a letter request to adjourn and reconsider the 46 Pawnee Ave case.

• Resolution BOA #25-01 (Gahali): minor subdivision with "C" & "D" variance for a duplex at 46 Pawnee Ave
• Resolution BOA #25-16 (Brookes): "D" variance at 554 Mt. Hope Ave
• Public hearing BOA #26-03 (Savino): "C" variance for new single-family dwelling at 6 Lyonsville Road
• Correspondence: letter request to adjourn and reconsider for 46 Pawnee Ave
• Approval of minutes from April 7 and April 21, 2026

The Board approved a 'C' variance for Joseph Savino to construct a new split-level dwelling, including a pool and patio. Approval is conditional upon the demolition of the existing home and specific stormwater and survey requirements.

• Approved 'C' variance for new dwelling at 6 Lyonsville Road (8-0)
• Approved April 7, 2026 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved escrow payment for professional services including $400 for Burgess Associates (unanimous)
• Scheduled reconsideration hearing for 46 Pawnee Ave for May 19, 2026

Township Council

The Council will meet to adopt the 2026 municipal budget, including an ordinance to establish a cap bank. Additionally, the body will consider various bond ordinances for township improvements, water supply systems, and road repairs.

• Adoption of the 2026 Municipal Budget
• $4,248,890 bond ordinance for various township improvements
• $1,730,000 bond ordinance for water supply and distribution system improvements
• $750,000 ordinance for road improvements
• Contract award to DeMaio Electrical Company, Inc. for Fox Hills well filtration ($1,180,000)

The Rockaway Township Council approved the 2026 municipal budget, authorizing $31,186,027.16 for municipal purposes, $459,685.70 for open space and related trusts, and $2,261,055.00 for the library tax. The council also cancelled a $587,000 reserve balance for unused sick and vacation time, returning it to the general fund. Ordinance O-26-08 to exceed budget appropriation limits and establish a cap bank was adopted, and the farmers‑market fee schedule was reduced through Ordinance O-26-14.

• Approved March 24 minutes (8-1, Kelley No)
• Cancelled $587,000 reserve balance and returned to general fund (9-0)
• Adopted Ordinance O-26-08 to exceed budget limits and create a cap bank (8-1, Kelley No)
• Approved Resolution R-26-86 to read 2026 operating budget by title (8-1, Kelley No)
• Adopted Resolution R-26-87 to adopt the 2026 municipal budget (8-1, Kelley No)
• Adopted Ordinance O-26-14 reducing farmers‑market license fees (9-0)
• Adopted Ordinance O-26-15 amending Health and Environment sections (9-0)
• Adopted Ordinance O-26-16 amending Parks and Recreational Facilities provisions (9-0)

Board of Adjustment

The Rockaway Township Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on BOA #25-01. The agenda item concerns a minor subdivision with a C and D variance for a new duplex at 46 Pawnee Avenue, Block 21501, Lot 18. The board will consider whether to approve the variance request.

• BOA #25-01 – variance request for a new duplex at 46 Pawnee Ave (Block 21501, Lot 18)

The Board of Adjustment approved a minor subdivision and use variances for a duplex at 46 Pawnee Ave, with conditions including outside agency permits, an as-built survey, approval of township professionals, and no unfinished basement living space. The vote was 4 yes, 1 no, 2 abstentions. The applicant's attorney indicated he may request reconsideration before the resolution is adopted.

• Approved escrow payment for professional services (unanimous)
• Deemed application complete (unanimous)
• Approved BOA #25-01: minor subdivision and c/d variances for duplex (4-1-2, 2 abstentions)
• Imposed conditions: all outside permits, as-built survey, professional approval, no basement living space

Planning Board

The Rockaway Township Planning Board will hold public hearings on two minor site plan applications with 'C' variances: PB#2563 for a generator at 92 Green Pond Road, and PB#2559 for R K & Sons, INC at 822 Green Pond Road. The board will also consider approving previous meeting minutes and escrow resolutions.

• Public hearing for PB#2563: 92 Green Pond Road – minor site plan with 'C' variance for a generator
• Public hearing for PB#2559: R K & Sons, INC at 822 Green Pond Road – minor site plan with 'C' variance
• Approval of minutes from February 9 and February 23, 2026 (special meeting)
• Escrow resolutions

The Rockaway Township Planning Board approved a minor site plan and variance for Cibao Meat Products to install a generator, while also approving a site plan and variance for RK & Sons Inc. to build a garage addition.

• Approved Cibao Meat Products generator variance (12-0)
• Approved Cibao Meat Products minor site plan (12-0)
• Approved RK & Sons Inc. garage addition variance (12-0)
• Approved RK & Sons Inc. minor site plan (12-0)
• Approved Resolution for Payment for Professional Services (uncontested)
• Approved February 9, 2026 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Approved March 9, 2026 special meeting minutes (unanimous)