Hardwick Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE XIII
Zoning Officer
§ 13-109.1 Zoning Officer.
[Ord. No. 2002-02 § 2; amended 6-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a.
Appointment. The Zoning Officer shall be appointed annually by the Township Committee.
b.
Description of Work. Under the direction of the Township Committee, functioning as a committee and not individually, the Zoning Officer shall be free from any and all political interference(s) related to his/her Zoning Officer duties. The Zoning Officer shall have access to the Township Attorney and Land Use Attorney for legal advice and interpretations of the law. The Zoning Officer shall examine the working plans of proposed buildings and other structures for compliance with local zoning laws, rules, and regulations of the state and municipality, as well as conduct field work to ensure compliance with zoning regulations and other related land-use regulations as needed.
c.
Duties. It shall be the duty of the Zoning Officer to:
1.
Provide a written report to the Township Clerk at the end of each month detailing applications received for review and the status of same;
2.
Examine work plans for compliance with local zoning laws, ordinances and regulations;
3.
Review final plans;
4.
Issue permits as required by provisions of the Land Development Ordinance and in accordance with regulations regarding zoning permits;
5.
Attend training as necessary to stay current with job duties and regulations;
6.
Assist in researching, drafting, and rewriting municipal codes;
7.
Participate in the development of forms and processes utilized to address various issues;
8.
Maintain and file records in accordance with New Jersey and Township records retention policies;
9.
Maintain accurate documentation of all registered properties, as required under the Residential Maintenance Code, Chapter 15;
10.
Prepare information in response to right-to-know requests;
11.
Perform administrative duties, including, but not limited to, the review, approval, and certification of all vacant and abandon property registration submittals; and
12.
Perform other duties as assigned.
§ 13-109.2 Code Enforcement.
[Ord. No. 2005-04 § 3; amended 6-1-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-04]
a.
Responsibilities. Under the direction of the Township Committee, functioning as a committee and not individually, the Code Enforcement shall be free from any and all political interference related to his/her code enforcement duties. Code Enforcement shall have access to the Township Attorney and the Municipal Prosecutor for legal advice on code enforcement matters. Code Enforcement shall enforce all property use and maintenance codes. Code Enforcement shall be responsible for conducting Township-wide inspections for possible zoning and maintenance code violations. Code Enforcement shall have the authority to issue notices of violations and court summonses to abate violations. Code Enforcement shall appear in Municipal Court as needed on behalf of Hardwick Township.
b.
Duties. It shall be the duty of the Code Enforcement to:
1.
Provide a written report to the Township Clerk at the end of each month detailing inspection and enforcement activities and the status of same;
2.
Receive requests, complaints, and information from the public, Hardwick Township staff and elected officials and conduct investigations for potential code violations;
3.
Conduct field investigations; inspect properties for violations, issue warning notices, notices of violation, corrective notices, orders to comply and related documentation for code violations. Schedule and perform all follow-up functions to gain compliance, including letters, inspections, calls, meetings, discussions, and negotiations to ensure compliance with appropriate codes and ordinances;
4.
Perform a variety of field and office work in support of the Township's local code enforcement program; enforce compliance with Township regulations and ordinances, including those pertaining to zoning, land use, health and safety, and other matters of public concern.
5.
Prepare evidence in support of legal actions taken by the Township; appear in court as necessary and testify in court hearings and proceedings as required;
6.
Maintain accurate documentation and case files on all investigations, inspections, enforcement actions and other job-related activities, including accurate and detailed information regarding code enforcement activity to substantive violations; draw diagrams and take pictures;
7.
Prepare a variety of written reports, memos and correspondence related to enforcement activities;
8.
Document violations of potential violations of Township ordinances with photos, written notes and reports;
9.
Attend training as necessary to stay current with regulations and job duties;
10.
Prepare information in response to right-to-know requests; and
11.
Perform other duties as assigned.
c.
Code Enforcement and Zoning Joint Responsibilities.
1.
Attend meetings and serve as a resource to other Township departments, the general public and outside agencies in the enforcement of zoning regulations; provide research and documentation for meetings; interpret and explain municipal codes and ordinances to members of the public, contractors, business owners and other groups in person, over the counter and on the telephone;
2.
Maintain satisfactory relations with the public, presenting a professional appearance when interacting with others; and
3.
Conduct on-site visits to resident applicants.
d.
Experience. Minimum one year experience related to the job duties as described for Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer.
e.
Driver's License. Must possess a valid driver's license to perform the essential duties of the position.
§ 13-109.3 Notice of Violations.
[Ord. No. 2005-04 § 4]
Should any use, land or structure be found by the Zoning Officer to exist in violation of any provision of this chapter and/or any approved variance, subdivision and/or site plan, such fact shall immediately be communicated to the landowner or his appropriate representative on-site and, thereafter, shall be communicated by the Zoning Officer in writing, by certified or registered mail, to the landowner or his attorney.
A copy of the written communication shall be immediately filed in the office of the Township Clerk, and additional copies shall be immediately forwarded to the Township Attorney and to the Chairman of the Planning Board or to the Chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, and to the Board Attorney.
§ 13-109.4 Abatement of Violation.
[Ord. No. 2005-04; § 5]
On the day following the oral communication to the landowner or his representative, the use, land or structure found by the Zoning Officer to exist in violation of any provision of this chapter and/or any approved variance, subdivision and/or site plan shall be corrected so as to conform to this chapter and any variance, subdivision and/or site plan approval, or the Construction Official, at the Zoning Officer's request, may revoke the Certificate of Occupancy and, in any case, shall notify the Township Attorney and the Township Engineer of the violation via a written communication.