Too often do we take for granted the society we are offered to take advantage of, while failing to recognize the systems that bind everything into place. The Zoning Board of Adjustment enforces the Montgomery Township Land Development Ordinance (LDO) and resolutions of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment. It works in cooperation with all other Township Departments to uphold the major principles of the Master Plan that the Planning Board devises and revises every ten years, with subsequent edits occurring frequently in between the years. When someone wishes to construct something in the town, be it a new restaurant or office, they first must go to the Zoning Board to state their case and submit their plans for development in the town. The Zoning Board then reviews those building permits prior to their review by the Construction Department. From there, the committee discusses with the prospective developer of their plans and votes to move forward with such projects. The committee also reviews and issues permits for projects, which do not necessarily require building permits, such as on grade patios, walkways, driveway expansion, temporary signs, sidewalk sales and home occupations. The Zoning Board is also a key source of information for any questions that Montgomery Citizens may have about the Land Development Ordinance or resolutions. The Zoning Officer is authorized to interpret the LDO, although the Zoning Board of Adjustment can overrule the Zoning Officer’s interpretation if an application is made to the Board and a compelling argument is presented.  
     During our one-on-one discussion with Ms. Savron, we gained further insight on the foundations of both the Planning Board and the Zoning Board, and how they serve as the pillars to Montgomery’s urban development. She detailed the history of Montgomery’s zoning board and how it has evolved throughout the years. Many years ago, the township was made up of mostly just farmland and was a rural area, lacking the growing development that we see today. Over time, the interests of the town began to evolve with greater population and recognition that the current state of the town wasn’t sustainable for growth. As more areas were incorporated into Montgomery, the township grew as did its goals. However, the concept of urbanization was never promoted above preserving town values, which we can see today. The vast greenland, natural spaces, parks, and walkways are all due to the Zoning Board standing strong to their beliefs and ensuring that Montgomery would not sell out to corporations, but rather it would seek to adjust appropriately with the times and give citizens what they needed.
     Currently, the committee is reviewing different proposals and plans, and consulting with experts in different fields to see if these projects are what the town needs and are feasible. The board has an important job of weighing differing values with one another to make the best decision for the community. What may be a financially good decision may not necessarily be what the township wants. Such an example was the 1980s proposal of a super highway cutting through a part of Montgomery, which would effectively have reinvented our current vision of Montgomery township. The current issue with the construction of cell towers in Montgomery is also another issue that the board is weighing up. There are many dead-zones in the township where people are unable to receive cell service. The pandemic and the sudden shift to an online work environment has highlighted the severity of this issue, with people needing this, despite the fact that if it were to go through, it would be constructed on historical lands or farmland. The town would most certainly wish to save those spaces of nature, farmlands, and maintain the beauty of historical districts, but the Zoning Board also has a duty to its constituents to make sure its upholding the values of the Master Plan to the right degree.
     For students wishing to get involved with the committee or support any initiatives, they simply just need to tune into these meetings, which are conventialy on zoom due to the current health crisis. These meetings are the perfect place to ask questions and make statements regarding different projects being considered. Voicing one’s perspective in front of the board that approves of the projects that determine the future of the town is a great opportunity to have a say in such a process. I encourage other students to take such an initiative and educate themselves upon the history of this town and what founding principles bind us so that we can move together as a society and see new development, while also understanding the decisions that are taken.