Planning Board
The Chatham Township Planning Board is a nine-member body with two alternates, all appointed by the Chatham Township Committee. One member is the Mayor or the Mayor’s designee (Class 1), one is a member of the Township Committee (Class 3), and one is another Township official other than a member of the Township Committee (Class 2). The other members (Class 4) are Township residents who volunteer their time. Two of the Class 4 members are designated as Chair and Vice-Chair. A professional staff consisting of an attorney, a professional planner, the Township Engineer, an Administrative Officer of the Township, and a Board Secretary assists the Planning Board. A list of current members of the Planning Board appears on this website.
The authority of the Planning Board is delineated in New Jersey’s Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL)and court decisions interpreting it. In addition, development in the Township is governed by its Land Use Ordinance. All decisions by the Board comply with the MLUL, Chatham Township’s Land Use Ordinance, and other applicable laws and regulations.
The Planning Board is broadly responsible for a number of areas vital to the growth and development of the Township. Those areas include adopting and updating its Master Plan, approving development applications for subdivisions and site plans, reviewing other State or Federal programs or plans, assembling data for planning purposes and performing other advisory duties as assigned to it by the Township Committee to aid it in planning process.
MEETING SCHEDULE
The Planning Board usually meets on the first and third Monday of each month. All meetings usually begin at 7:30 PM and are open to the general public in accordance with the requirements of New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act. The Agenda for each meeting is usually posted prior to each particular meeting. Thereafter, the Minutes of each meeting are posted. Site visits are also posted on the website.
* Terms are four years. Alternate terms are two years.
There must be a quorum of five board members for a hearing to be held. Decisions must be reached by at least five members who attended all the relevant hearings or who have read or listened to the transcripts of the hearing. Board members must be fair and impartial in reaching their decisions. Therefore, a board member must recuse him/herself if there is any conflict, e.g. a personal or family interest in the matter or the member lives within 200 feet of the property.
2026 PLANNING BOARD MEMBERS
| Class | Member | Term Ends |
| Class I | Mayor Jen Rowland | 12/31/2026 |
| Class II | Ziad Andrew Shehady | 12/31/2026 |
| Class III | Stacey Ewald | 12/31/2026 |
| Class IV | Phil Ankel (EC Liaison) | 12/31/2028 |
| Class IV | Dot Stillinger | 12/31/2028 |
| Class IV | Matt Kahn | 12/31/2028 |
| Class IV | Emily Chang | 12/31/2029 |
| Class IV | Heather Foran | 12/31/2026 |
| Class IV | Nick Nikolopoulos | 12/31/2026 |
| Alternate 1 | Vacancy | 12/31/2027 |
| Alternate 2 | Dan Miller | 12/31/2026 |
* Class IV Terms are four years. Class I – III Terms are one year. Alternate Terms are two years.
Contact Information
58 Meyersville Road
Chatham, New Jersey 07928