[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Borough of Closter 4-27-2005 by Ord. No. 2005:932.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed
former Ch. 29, Improvement Commission, adopted 12-20-1999 by Ord.
No. 1999:819.
The Closter Improvement Commission is an advisory body to the Mayor and Borough Council and the Planning Board. Its primary mission is to foster a sense of community by supporting and/or introducing Borough-wide improvement initiatives, supporting civic and cultural activities and facilitating aesthetic improvements specifically, but not limited to, the historic Downtown Renaissance Zone (see § 29-11 of this chapter).
A.
Composition of regular members. The Closter Improvement
Commission shall consist of 11 regular members to be appointed by
the Mayor with the advice and consent of the Borough Council. Of these
members, one may be a representative of the Closter Historic Preservation
Commission. At least six of the remaining nine members shall be Closter
residents who are not members of the Borough Council. Each of these
11 shall have voting privileges. All regular members serve without
compensation.
[Amended 4-11-2007 by Ord. No. 2007:983; 6-24-2015 by Ord. No. 2015:1190]
B.
Composition of alternate members. The Mayor, with
the advice and consent of the Borough Council, shall appoint two alternate
members to the Closter Improvement Commission. The two alternate members
shall be designated by the Mayor "Alternate No. 1" and "Alternate
No. 2" at the time of the appointment. They may participate in discussions
of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification
of a regular member. In the event that a choice must be made as to
which alternate member is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote first.
Alternate members shall serve without compensation.
C.
Terms of regular members and alternate members.
(1)
Each regular and alternate member shall be appointed
for a term of two years (except that the term of any member appointed
after the annual reorganization, but during the calendar year, shall
expire on December 31 of the following calendar year; any vacancy
occurring for reasons other than the expiration of term shall be filled
by appointment for the unexpired term only). For the purposes of Commission
continuity, upon adoption of this chapter, the Mayor, with the advice
and consent of the Council, shall appoint for a term of three years
five regular members to the Commission. All appointments thereafter
shall be for a period of two years, except for members appointed after
the annual reorganization, but during the calendar year.
(2)
Any vacancy occurring other than by the expiration
of term shall be filled by appointment by the Mayor, with the advice
and consent of the Council, for the unexpired term only.
(3)
After three unexcused absences from monthly meetings,
any member or alternate member shall be removed from the Commission.
The Mayor, with the advice and consent of the Council, shall appoint
a replacement alternate member to serve the unexpired portion of the
removed member's term.
At the annual reorganization meeting to be held
each January, the Commission members shall elect a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson
and a Secretary, each to serve for a period of one year.
At all meetings of the Commission, a quorum
for conducting business shall consist of six members, including alternate
members. In the event that less than six members attend a meeting,
no official business may be conducted. At all meetings where a quorum
is present, Commission business shall be considered approved upon
the affirmative vote of the majority of members present.
The Closter Improvement Commission shall be
responsible for making recommendations to the Mayor and Borough Council
based on the results of the work carried out by the Commission. These
recommendations shall include, but not be limited to the following:
A.
Help foster the development of a Chamber of Commerce,
facilitating a positive working alliance among business owners, local
government and citizens of the Borough.
B.
Aid in improving the environment of the Borough's
business districts.
C.
Assist in the protection of the historical quality of the Downtown Renaissance Zone, including but not limited to the making of recommendations for approval of permanent signs. The Downtown Renaissance Zone is defined to include all properties listed by block and lot in § 29-11 of this chapter.
D.
Foster a sense of community through public activities
and engagement with other civic groups.
B.
Site plan — Downtown Renaissance Zone. The Commission shall review site plans, as forwarded by the Planning Board, for any permanent changes in the Renaissance Zone and make recommendations according to the criteria set out in Closter Code § 173-50. The Commission shall make written recommendations to the Planning Board within 30 days of receipt of the site plan by the Commission in accordance with Municipal Land Use Law.
C.
Drafting of bylaws. The Commission may draft bylaws
consistent with this chapter.
The Commission shall have the right to employ
professional consultants when necessary, provided the costs are within
their budgetary constraints.
The Commission shall meet monthly, with special
meetings scheduled as needed and with notice provided to the public
as required by the Open Public Meetings Act. All meetings shall be
open to the public unless there is basis for closing the meeting to
the public as authorized by N.J.S.A.A 10:4-12 of the Open Public Meetings
Act. If so closed, the Commission shall adhere to the procedural rules
of the Open Public Meetings Act.
The Commission may form subcommittees representing
the constituencies of its membership. However, all actions shall be
taken by the Commission as a whole, with the advice and consent of
the Mayor and Borough Council when required.
The commission may raise funds to advance and
promote its purposes with the consent of the Mayor and Borough Council
according to state regulation.
The Downtown Renaissance Zone consists of the
following properties as shown on the Tax Map of the Borough of Closter:
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Block 1301
|
Lots 7 through 13 inclusive
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Block 1302
|
Lot 1
|
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Lots 12 through 21 inclusive
| |
|
Lots 23 through 32 inclusive
| |
|
Block 1303
|
Lot 1
|
|
Block 1305
|
Lot 1
|
|
Lots 3, 4.01, 5, 6 and 7.01
| |
|
Block 1309
|
Lot 1
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Lots 3 through 8 inclusive
| |
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Block 1311
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Lot 11
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Block 1312
|
Lots 7 through 21 inclusive
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Block 1313
|
Lots 1 through 5 inclusive
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Block 1314
|
Lots 1 through 4 inclusive
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Block 1315
|
Lots 1, 2, 5 and 6
|
|
Block 1701
|
Lots 1 and 2
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