The Division of Land Use & Planning is responsible for guiding development in the Township of Brick to be consistent with the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law, Master Plan, Zoning Map and Section 245 Land Use Code of the Municipal Code. The Division has a staff of six full-time employees and three part-time employees. It is organizationally located within the Department of Administration. The Zoning Office, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment are under the Division purview.

The Division staff is charged with periodic reviews of the Master Plan, planning studies and reports, review of subdivisions and site plans, drafting and review of ordinances, affordable housing compliance, geographical information (GIS)mapping, tax map maintenance, grant writing and management and works closely with other departments regarding development in the community. The division also manages Affordable Housing, Community Development Block Grant Program and the FEMA National Flood Insurance Community Rating System Program (CRS).

The Division is staffed with three part-time clerks, one Board Secretary, the Township Zoning Officer, three full-time clerks, one certified Geographical Information System Technician, and one NJ licensed Professional Planner. The Municipal Planner is tasked as the Land Use Administrator for the Township and the Division Head for the Division of Land Use & Planning. The Municipal Planner also serves as the Board Planner for the Planning Board and Board of Adjustment, Affordable Housing Administrator and Director of the Community Development Block Grant Program.

Tara B. Paxton, MPA, PP, AICP is the Municipal Planner for the Division.  Mrs. Paxton has been an employee of the Township of Brick since 2000 and previously held the position of Assistant Municipal Planner. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Science, Coastal Development & Processes and a second Bachelor of Science in Environmental Planning from Stockton University and her Master of Public Administration from Kean University, is a New Jersey Licensed Professional Planner and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Mrs. Paxton serves as an Adjunct Professor at Kean University at the Ocean County College Campus in the Public Administration Program.

Tara B. Paxton, MPA, PP, AICP

Tara B. Paxton, MPA, PP, AICP

Municipal Planner

Christopher Romano

Christopher Romano

Zoning Officer

The Township of Brick Plan endorsement is a the voluntary review process designed to ensure the coordination and consistency between state ,county and municipal planning efforts to achieve the goals and policies of the State Planning Act.  This plan includes a list of goals, benefits , an inventory of regional/ local characteristics and much more. Posted below is the link to the Township of Brick’s 2021 Plan Endorsement Municipal Self Assessment Report .

Township of Brick Municipal Self-Assessment Plan Endorsement