Any interested person, or their qualified representative, may appear at a public meeting of the Teaneck Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment and provide testimony or comments on an application that requires a public hearing. To ensure fairness to all parties, each hearing follows an orderly process for the presentation of evidence and public comment.
A printed agenda is available before each meeting from the Secretary to the Board and is also posted on the Municipal Building Bulletin Board. Please note that some applications listed on an agenda may not be heard or completed that evening and may be carried to a future meeting date. To confirm whether a specific application will be heard, please contact the Secretary to the Board during regular business hours at 201-837-1600, ext. 1110.
Board hearings are conducted by the Chairperson and function in a manner similar to a court proceeding. The Chairperson and Board serve as impartial fact-finders. The applicant presents testimony and supporting evidence, often through fact witnesses and professional experts. Board members, Board professionals, and members of the public may ask questions of witnesses. The applicant may also question individuals who testify.
At the start of each matter, the Chairperson introduces the application and confirms that all required legal notice and jurisdictional requirements have been satisfied. The applicant then presents the case, after which Board members and the Board Attorney may ask questions.
The Board may consider only legally admissible evidence. Testimony must be given under oath or affirmation, and all testimony and proceedings are recorded stenographically and/or electronically as part of the official record. Signed petitions and letters are generally not accepted unless the individuals who signed them are present to testify.
After the Board has completed its questioning, members of the public may ask questions of the witness regarding the application. Individuals represented by an attorney must direct all questions or statements through their attorney. Once a witness has completed testimony and questioning, that witness is excused and the next witness is called. Public comments or speeches are not permitted during this portion of the hearing.
After all testimony has been completed, members of the public who are not represented by an attorney and who wish to support or oppose the application will have an opportunity to state their position. They may then be questioned by the Board, the applicant or applicant’s representatives, and the public, subject to the same procedures described above.
Once the hearing is closed, no additional evidence or public comment may be presented. The matter is then discussed by the Board in public executive session and decided by formal action. The Board’s determination is memorialized in a written Resolution adopted at a subsequent meeting. Decisions of the Board may be appealed through the court system.
To help maintain an orderly meeting, please limit cell phone use and private conversations during the proceedings.
Thank you for participating in this important public process. All members of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment serve as volunteers and receive no compensation.
