What is the maximum population size for a municipality seeking to form a 9-member planning board by ordinance that exercises zoning powers?

For municipalities looking to establish a 9-member planning board with the authority to exercise zoning powers, the maximum population size delineated by New Jersey law is 15,000. This provision allows municipalities of this size to have an adequately structured planning board that can effectively manage zoning and land use decisions, ensuring that development aligns with community needs and objectives.

A municipality with a population exceeding 15,000 has additional planning board options that allow for larger boards or different configurations based on the complexity and scale of planning issues facing the community. This framework is essential to ensure good governance and expert planning oversight in urban development, land conservation, and other pertinent issues that come with population growth and urbanization.

The other population figures provided do not meet the appropriate threshold established in New Jersey's statutes for the configuration that includes a 9-member board with zoning powers. As such, they fall outside the legal limits set for the formation of planning boards in smaller municipalities.