Purpose and Background

On July 7, 2005 an act providing for the mandatory, one-time training of planning and zoning board (and consolidated land use board) members was signed into law. (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-23.3 and 23.4) The training consists of five contact hours within the same calendar day. Areas of study include: the roles and responsibilities of planning and zoning board members under the MLUL, understanding the master plan and sub-elements and its relationship to other local, regional and state planning documents and the local development application review process. Each participant will complete a simple standardized test at the end of the course. All board members are required to satisfactorily complete this course.

The purpose of the course is to provide a uniform educational experience for all planning and zoning board members throughout the state and to provide the basic practical information they will need to fulfill their responsibilities. The course is offered regionally and frequently. Both the instructors and their course schedules are subject to change. It is best to contact the course providers directly for the most up to date information. Their contact information is listed below. For questions related to certification, course content or administration of the program please contact Maria Connolly at DCA. She can be reached at (609) 292-4317 or Maria.Connolly@dca.nj.gov.

Approved Courses

• Bergen County Bar Association
  c/o Gail L. Price, Esq., Co-Chair
  Price, Meese, Shulman & D'Arminio
  50 Tice Blvd
  Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677
  tel (201) 391-3737
  fax (201) 391-9360
  www.pricemeese.com 

• James L. Lott Jr., Esq/Scott G. Collins, Esq
  Headquarters Plaza
  One Speedwell Avenue
  PO Box 1981
  Morristown, NJ 07962
  tel (973) 538-0800

• New Jersey Planning Officials
  31-1 Mountain Blvd
  Warren, NJ 07059
  tel (908) 412-9592
  fax (908) 753-5123
 www.njpo.org 

• Michael B. Steib, P.A.
  16 Cherry Treee Farm Road
  po Box 893
  Middletown, NJ 07748
  tel (732) 706-7334
 
• David J. Frizell, Esq
  Frizell & Samuels
  po Box 474
  Metuchen, NJ 08840
  tel (732) 494-3500
 
• Benedict Martorana, PE/PP
   NJ GovTech LLC
   9903 Seapointe Blvd.,  #403
   Diamond Beach, NJ 08260
   tel (973) 692-8081
   fax (973) 352-6598
   bmartorana@njgovtech.com
   www.njgovtech.com

• Rutgers Center for Government Services
  303 George St, Suite 604
  New Brunswick, NJ 08901
  tel (732) 932-3640
  fax (732) 932-3586
  cgs.rutgers.edu 

• Roger W. Thomas, Esq
  One Legal Lane
  PO Box D
  Newton, NJ 07860
  tel (973) 383-1600

• James H.Gorman, Esq
  1129 Broad Sreet
  Shrewbury, NJ 07702
  tel (732) 542-4200
  Fax: 732 542 2202

 

Background & Resources

• Frequently Asked Questions [pdf 106k]
• Suggested Reading List [pdf 85k]
• Waiver Request Form [pdf 62k]
• List of Planning/Zoning Officials [doc 31k]

Legislation & Rules

• Adopted Rules [pdf 200k] 05/23/06

• Planning/Zoning Education Legislation