This chapter shall be known as the "Subdivision
and Site Plan Ordinance of the Borough of Glen Rock."
The purpose of this chapter is to provide rules,
regulations and standards to guide land subdivision and the development
of land in the Borough in order to promote its public health, safety,
convenience and general welfare. It shall be administered to ensure
orderly growth and development, conservation, protection and proper
use of land and adequate provision for circulation, utilities and
services.
As authorized by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-37, the provisions
of this chapter shall be administered by the Planning Board, provided
that whenever, pursuant to law or ordinance, the Board of Adjustment
has jurisdiction to grant the plan or subdivision approval, then the
applicable provisions of this chapter shall be administered by the
Board of Adjustment.
This chapter shall not be construed to repeal Chapter
230, Zoning, or any part thereof. All other ordinances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.
Certain words and terms in this chapter shall
be given the following meanings:
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
The person with whom applications for development are filed
pursuant to this chapter. The administrative officer for the Board
of Adjustment shall be the Clerk to the Board of Adjustment. The administrative
officer for the Planning Board shall be the Clerk to the Planning
Board.
APPLICANT
A developer submitting an application for development.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
The application form and all accompanying documents required
by ordinance for approval of a subdivision plat, site plan, conditional
use, zoning variance or direction of the issuance of a permit for
construction within the bed of a mapped street or for construction
of a structure not having access or not related to a street.
BUILDING PERMIT
A certificate issued by the Construction Code Official for
the construction, reconstruction, remodeling, alteration or repair
of a building upon approval of the submitted application and plans.
CERTIFICATE AS TO APPROVAL OF SUBDIVISION OF LAND
A certificate issued by the proper administrative officer
of the Borough certifying:
A.
That there is in the Borough a duly established
Planning Board.
B.
That there is in the Borough an ordinance controlling
the subdivision of land.
C.
Whether a subdivision has been approved by the
Planning Board for the land designated in the application for such
certificate and, if so, the date of such approval and any extensions
and terms thereof.
CERTIFICATE OF USE AND OCCUPANCY
A certificate issued by the Construction Code Official upon
completion of the construction of a new building or addition or upon
a change in the occupancy of a building other than a dwelling unit
as defined in this chapter which certifies that all requirements of
this chapter or such adjustment therefrom which has been granted by
the Board of Adjustment have been met and that the purpose for which
a building or land is to be used is in conformance with the uses permitted
and all other requirements under this chapter for the zone in which
it is located or is to be located.
[Amended 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291]
DEVELOPER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or of any
land proposed to be included in a proposed development, including
the holder of an option or contract to purchase or other person having
an enforceable proprietary interest in such land.
DEVELOPMENT
The division of a parcel of land into two or more parcels;
the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration,
relocation or enlargement of any building or other structure or of
any mining, excavation or landfill and any use or change in the use
of any building or other structure or land or extension of use of
land for which permission may be required pursuant to this chapter.
DRAINAGE
The removal of surface water or groundwater from land by
drains, grading or other means, and includes control of runoff to
minimize erosion and sedimentation during and after construction or
development and the means necessary for water supply preservation
or prevention or alleviation of flooding.
DRAINAGEWAY
The lands required for the installation of stormwaters, sewers
or drainage ditches or required along a natural stream or watercourse
for preserving the channel and providing for the flow of water therein
to safeguard the public against flood damage in accordance with N.J.S.A.
58:1-1 to 58:1-34.
INTERESTED PARTY
In a criminal or quasi-criminal proceeding, any citizen of
the State of New Jersey, and in an administrative proceeding before
a municipal agency, any person, whether residing within or without
the Borough, whose right to use, acquire or enjoy property is or may
be affected by any action taken under this chapter or whose rights
to use, acquire or enjoy property under this chapter or under any
law of this state or of the United States have been denied, violated
or infringed by an action or a failure to act hereunder.
LOADING SPACE
Any off-street space available for the loading or unloading
of goods and having direct usable access to the street or alley.
LOT
A parcel or portion of land separated from other parcels
or portions by description, as on a subdivision or record of survey
map, or by metes and bounds for the purpose of sale, lease or separate
use.
LOT AREA
The area of a lot expressed in square feet or acres. Any
portion of a lot included within the right-of-way lines of a street
(improved or unimproved), street easement or street dedication shall
not be included in calculating the lot area. Any portion of a lot
included within easement lines, right-of-way lines or dedicated for
utilities, access or public use other than streets, as above, shall
be included in calculating the lot area.
[Amended 3-24-2004 by Ord. No. 1466]
MAINTENANCE GUARANTY
Any security which may be accepted by the Borough for the
maintenance of any improvements required by this chapter, including
but not limited to surety bonds, letters of credit under the circumstances
specified in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-53.5 and cash.
[Amended 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291]
MAJOR SITE PLAN
Any site plan not classified as a minor site plan.
[Added 12-16-2009 by Ord. No. 1614]
MASTER PLAN
A composite of the mapped and written proposals recommending
the physical development of the Borough, which shall have been duly
adopted by the Planning Board.
MINOR SITE PLAN
A development plan of a lot where only changes to the parking
area are proposed including striping, dumpster location, fencing,
location of handicapped parking, curbing, etc. Also changes to use
which intensifies the parking requirement. Classification as a minor
site plan is at the discretion of the Zoning Official.
[Added 12-16-2009 by Ord. No. 1614]
MINOR SUBDIVISION
A.
Any subdivision that does not involve:
(1)
The creation of more than five lots;
(4)
An extension of any off-tract improvement.
B.
In all instances not adversely affecting the development of the remainder of the parcel or adjoining property and not in conflict with any provision or portion of the Master Plan, Official Map, Chapter
230, Zoning, or this chapter.
MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
A building containing three or more dwelling units, occupied
or intended to be occupied by persons living independently of each
other, or a group of such buildings.
[Added 3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1227; amended 11-14-1994 by Ord. No.
1238]
OFF-SITE
Located outside the lot lines of the lot in question but
within the property of which the lot is a part, which is the subject
of a development application or contiguous portion of a street or
right-of-way.
OFF-TRACT
Not located on the property which is the subject of a development
application nor on a contiguous portion of a street or right-of-way.
ON-SITE
Located on the lot in question.
ON-TRACT
Located on the property which is the subject of a development
application or on a contiguous portion of a street or right-of-way.
OWNER
Any individual, firm, association, syndicate, copartnership
or corporation having sufficient proprietary interest in the land
sought to be developed to commence and maintain proceedings to develop
the same under this or any other ordinance.
PARKING SPACE
An off-street space available for the parking of a motor
vehicle, provided that such space shall have a minimum width of 10
feet and a minimum depth of 20 feet, exclusive of maneuvering areas,
passageways, driveways and loading spaces appurtenant thereto.
PARTY IMMEDIATELY CONCERNED
Any applicant for development, the owners of the subject
property and all owners of property and government agencies entitled
to notice under this chapter.
PERFORMANCE GUARANTY
Any security which may be accepted by the Borough, including
but not limited to surety bonds, letters of credit under the circumstances
specified in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-53.5 and cash.
[Amended 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291]
PLAT
The map or maps of a subdivision or site plan.
PRELIMINARY APPROVAL
Rights conferred pursuant to this chapter prior to final
approval after specific elements of a development plan have been agreed
upon by the Planning Board and the applicant.
PRELIMINARY PLAT
The preliminary map indicating the proposed layout of the subdivision, which is submitted to the secretary of the Planning Board for its consideration and tentative approval and meeting the requirements of §
192-10C of this chapter.
RECYCLING AREA
Space allocated for collection and storage of source-separated
recyclable materials.
[Added 3-28-1994 by Ord. No. 1227; amended 11-14-1994 by Ord. No.
1238]
SITE PLAN
A development plan of one or more lots on which is shown:
A.
The existing and proposed conditions of the
lot, including but not necessarily limited to topography, vegetation,
drainage, floodplains, marshes and waterways.
B.
The location of all existing and proposed buildings,
drives, parking spaces, walkways, means of ingress and egress, drainage
facilities, utility services, landscaping, structures and signs, lighting
and screening devices.
C.
Any other information required by this chapter
that may be reasonably required in order to make an informed determination
pursuant to this chapter.
STREET
Any street, avenue, boulevard, road, lane, parkway, viaduct,
alley or other way which is an existing state, county or municipal
roadway; or a street or way shown upon a plat heretofore approved
pursuant to law or approved by official action; or a street or way
on a plat duly filed and recorded in the office of the county recording
officer prior to the appointment of a planning board and the grant
to such board of the power to review plats; and includes the land
between the street lines, whether improved or unimproved, and may
comprise pavement, shoulders, gutters, sidewalks, parking areas and
other areas within the street lines. For the purpose of this chapter,
streets shall be classified as follows:
B.
COLLECTOR STREETSThose which carry traffic from minor streets to the major system of arterial streets, including the principal entrance streets of a residential development and streets for circulation within such a development.
C.
MINOR STREETSThose which are used primarily for access to the abutting properties.
D.
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETSThose which are parallel with and adjacent to arterial streets and highways and which provide access to abutting properties and protection from through traffic.
E.
ALLEYSMinor ways which are used primarily for vehicular service access to the back or the side of properties otherwise abutting on a street.
SUBDIVIDER
Any individual, firm, association, syndicate, copartnership,
corporation, trust or any other legal entity commencing proceedings
under this chapter to effect a subdivision of land hereunder for himself
or herself or for another.
SUBDIVISION
A.
The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land
into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land
for sale or development. The following shall not be considered subdivisions
within the meaning of this chapter if no new streets are created:
(1)
Divisions of land found by the Planning Board
or Subdivision Committee thereof appointed by the Chairperson to be
for agricultural purposes, where all resulting parcels are five acres
or larger in size.
(2)
Divisions of property by testamentary or intestate
provisions.
(3)
Divisions of property upon court order.
(4)
Conveyances so as to combine existing lots by
deeds or other instrument.
B.
The term "subdivision" shall also include the
term "resubdivision."
No person shall sell or agree to sell any land
which forms part of a subdivision as defined in this chapter until
final approval of such subdivision has been obtained pursuant to this
chapter.
[Amended 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291; 5-25-2005 by Ord. No. 1502; 12-16-2009 by Ord. No. 1614]
For a minor subdivision, the procedure shall
be as follows:
A. Application data to identify owners and property.
An application shall be submitted to the proper administrative officer,
in writing, in duplicate, on forms supplied by the Planning Board,
furnishing pertinent data such as names and addresses of the owner,
agent and engineer and identification of the property involved.
B. Specifications. The application shall be accompanied
by 15 copies of a plan of the proposed subdivision accurately drawn
to a scale of not less than one inch equals 100 feet, certified by
a licensed land surveyor. All designs shall be done by a licensed
professional engineer. The plan shall be of a size acceptable to the
County Clerk for filing and shall indicate:
(1) The location of the lots to be created in relation
to the entire tract.
(2) All existing structures and wooded areas within the
subdivision and within 200 feet thereof.
(3) The name of the owner and of all adjoining property
owners as disclosed by the most recent Borough tax records.
(4) The tax map sheet, zone district, block and lot numbers.
(5) All streets and streams within 500 feet of the subdivision.
Both the width of paving and the width of rights-of-way shall be shown
for streets.
(6) The area in square feet of all lots to be created.
(7) A key map showing the entire subdivision and its relation
to surrounding areas.
(8) Easements, covenants, streets, buildings, watercourses,
railroads, bridges, culverts, drainpipes, rights-of-way and drainage
easements.
(9) Any variance or variances required.
(10)
Acreage of the entire parcel to be subdivided.
(11)
The date, north arrow and scale.
(12)
If regrading of the site other than in the foundation
area of any proposed buildings or within 10 feet is to be done, a
map showing existing and proposed contours at contour intervals of
two feet may also be required to be submitted before the plat is classified.
C. Time limit for receipt of application. The Planning
Board shall require receipt of an application 10 days prior to the
meeting at which action is to be taken on such application.
D. Approval. Upon receipt of a completed application, the Board shall, within the time periods prescribed by this chapter, approve or conditionally approve the subdivision without the necessity of full notice and hearing, classify the subdivision as a major subdivision or disapprove the subdivision. The Board may, in addition to any other conditions which the Board may deem necessary in order to carry out the purposes of this chapter, require as a condition for minor subdivision approval that the applicant shall install such improvements required by §
192-12 of this chapter as the Board, in accordance with the law, shall deem necessary. Such improvements shall be in accordance with the standards set forth in §
192-13, and performance guaranties may be required in accordance with §
192-15.
E. Distribution of copies of minor subdivision plat.
Before the administrative officer returns any approval of the minor
subdivision plat to the subdivider, sufficient copies shall be sent
to:
(3) The Construction Code Official.
(5) The Borough Zoning Officer.
All applications for subdivisions and site plan
review filed prior to the effective date of this chapter may be continued.
Immediately upon adoption of this chapter, the
Borough Clerk shall file a copy of this chapter with the County Planning
Board, as required by law.
[Added 4-14-1980 by Ord. No. 925]
A. Minor subdivision and minor site plan review fees.
[Amended 10-26-1987 by Ord. No. 1105; 7-27-1992 by Ord. No.
1201]
(1) At the time of filing a sketch plat for a minor subdivision, the subdivider shall deposit with the Borough Clerk a filing fee as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, by check made payable to the Borough of Glen Rock, to cover the administrative costs of the Borough. In addition thereto, the subdivider shall deposit an amount, in cash or by certified check, to be held by the Borough in escrow, the sum as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, initially, which may be charged for the actual out-of-pocket expenses of the Borough for services rendered to it, including but not limited to legal and engineering fees. If the subdivision is classified by the Planning Board as a major subdivision or if it is determined by the Planning Board that off-site improvements shall be required in connection with the subdivision, the subdivider, in addition to any fees and deposits hereinbefore required, shall further deposit the amounts under Subsection
B hereof, but he or she shall receive a credit for any amount paid pursuant to this subsection.
[Amended 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291]
(2) Upon the filing of any application for a minor site plan approval, the developer shall deposit with the Borough Clerk a filing fee as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, by check made payable to the Borough of Glen Rock, to cover the administrative costs of the Borough. In addition thereto, the developer shall deposit an amount, in cash or by certified check, to be held by the Borough in escrow, the sum as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, initially, which may be charged for the actual out-of-pocket expenses of the Borough for services rendered to it, including but not limited to legal and engineering fees.
[Amended 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291]
(3) When the amounts deposited in escrow under Subsections
A(1) and
(2) above by the subdivider or developer for the actual out-of-pocket expenses for the Borough has been obligated or exhausted, the subdivider or developer shall, upon request, prior to the time the Borough authorizes further expenditures, deposit additional amounts as to cover further out-of-pocket expenses of the Borough for legal, engineering, publication, filing, recording, transcribing and similar items.
B. Major subdivision review fees.
[Amended 10-26-1987 by Ord. No. 1105; 7-27-1992 by Ord. No.
1201]
(1) At the time of filing of a sketch plat for a major subdivision, the subdivider shall deposit with the Borough Clerk a filing fee as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, by check made payable to the Borough of Glen Rock, to cover the administrative costs of the Borough. In addition thereto, the subdivider shall deposit an amount, in cash or by certified check, to be held by the Borough in escrow, the sum as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, initially, which may be charged for the actual out-of-pocket expenses of the Borough for services rendered to it, including but not limited to legal and engineering fees.
[Amended 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291]
(2) When the amount deposited in escrow under Subsection
B(1) above by the subdivider for the actual out-of-pocket expenses of the Borough has been obligated or exhausted, the subdivider shall, upon request, prior to the time the Borough authorizes further expenditures, deposit additional amounts as required to cover further out-of-pocket expenses of the Borough for legal, engineering, publication, filing, recording, transcribing and similar items.
C. Major subdivision deposit. In connection with a major subdivision, after preliminary approval by the Planning Board and before any work is undertaken by the subdivider, the subdivider shall enter into a developer's agreement with the Borough and shall deposit with the Borough Clerk of the Borough of Glen Rock an amount as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, to cover the cost of periodic inspection as the improvements are made, including engineering fees and legal fees in connection therewith. If at any time the amount on deposit shall fall below the sum as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, the subdivider shall deposit an additional amount as determined by the Borough Engineer representing 5% of the estimated cost for the completion of said improvements in accordance with the final plat of such major subdivision.
[Amended 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291]
D. Site plan review fees and inspection approval deposit.
[Amended 10-26-1987 by Ord. No. 1105; 7-27-1992 by Ord. No.
1201; 9-28-1997 by Ord. No. 1291]
(1) Upon the filing of any application for preliminary site plan approval, the developer shall deposit with the Borough Clerk a filing fee as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, by check made payable to the Borough of Glen Rock, to cover the administrative costs of the Borough. In addition thereto, the developer shall deposit an amount, in cash or by certified check, to be held by the Borough in escrow, the sum as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, initially, which may be charged for the actual out-of-pocket expenses of the Borough for services rendered to it, including but not limited to legal and engineering fees.
(2) Upon the preliminary approval of all site plan applications and prior to final approval thereof, the developer shall enter into a developer's agreement with the Borough and shall deposit with the Borough Clerk of the Borough of Glen Rock an amount as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, as well as inspection fees in connection with said site plan improvements as determined by the Borough Engineer to cover engineering and legal fees of the Borough. If at any time the amount on deposit shall fall below the sum as provided in Chapter
101, Fees, the applicant shall deposit an additional amount as determined by the Borough Engineer representing 5% of the estimated cost for the completion of said required improvements and inspection fees.
E. Disposition of remaining credit; restrictions on charges
to deposits.
(1) Upon the applicant or developer obtaining final approval
for either a subdivision or site plan, said applicant or developer
shall be entitled to apply any credit remaining in his or her escrow
deposit under any of the foregoing subsections to the developer's
escrow fund required to ensure completion of all improvements. All
balances remaining in any escrow fund required under any subsection
of this section shall be credited to the applicant's or developer's
final escrow fund as required by the developer's agreement, to be
filed with the Borough upon certification by the Engineer that all
engineering services related to the review of the application and
the construction of the improvements have been completed and all engineering
services have been properly billed to the Borough.
(2) No deposit required by this section should be charged
with an amount unless the same shall represent a reimbursement to
the Borough for payments by it for services rendered, upon proper
vouchers, duly sworn to, as provided by law. In every case, any charge
to the deposit provided for herein shall be reviewed and approved
by the Borough as to the necessity for the performance of the service
and the reasonableness of the amount charged therefor to the same
extent as if there were no provisions for reimbursement to the Borough.
F. Miscellaneous.
(1) Nothing herein contained in this section is intended to supersede or repeal the provisions of §
192-16, Off-tract improvements, which section shall remain in full force and effect.
(2) It is expressly intended, however, that the provisions
of the within section shall repeal all of the provisions contained
in Borough Ordinance No. 814 as heretofore enacted.
G. Payments to professionals; deposits and procedures.
[Added 6-28-2000 by Ord. No. 1354]
(1) Escrow deposits. In addition to the initial fees or charges as elsewhere set forth, the municipal agency shall require escrow deposits in accordance with the provision of the fee and deposit schedule set forth in §
101-4. (The amount of the initial deposit shall be calculated in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-53.2b.) Such fees or charges shall be based upon a schedule established by resolution. The Chief Financial Officer of the municipality shall make all of the payments to professionals for services rendered to the municipality or approving authority for review of applications for development, review and preparation of documents, inspection of improvement or other purposes under the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. The application review and inspection charges shall be limited only to professional charges for review of applications, review and preparation of documents and inspections of developments under construction and for review by outside consultants when an application is of a nature beyond the scope of the expertise of the professionals normally utilized by the municipality. The only costs that shall be added to any such charges shall be actual out-of-pocket expenses of such professionals or consultants, including normal and typical expenses incurred in processing applications and inspecting improvements. No applicant shall be charged for any municipal, clerical or administrative functions, overhead expenses, meeting room charges or any of the municipal costs and expenses, except as provided for specifically by statute, nor shall a municipal professional add any such charge to his bill.
(2) Scope of reimbursed services. The municipality shall
be entitled to be reimbursed for the review of applications, both
as to completeness and as to content; for the review and preparation
of documents such as, but not limited to: drafting resolutions, developer's
agreements and necessary correspondence with the applicant or the
applicant's professionals.
(3) Deposit of escrow funds; refunds. Deposits received
from any applicant in excess of $5,000 shall be held by the Chief
Financial Officer in a special interest-bearing deposit account, and,
upon receipt of bills from professionals and approval of said bills
as hereinafter provided for, the Chief Financial Officer may use such
funds to pay the bills submitted by such professionals or experts.
The municipality shall not be required to refund an amount of interest
paid on a deposit which does not exceed $100 for the year. If the
amount of interest exceeds $100, the entire amount shall belong to
the applicant and shall be refunded to him by the municipality annually
or at the time the deposit is repaid or applied for the purposes for
which it has deposited, as the case may be, except that the municipality
will retain for administrative expenses a sum equivalent to no more
than 33 1/3% of that entire amount, which shall be in lieu of
all other administrative and custodial expenses. All sums not actually
so expended shall be refunded to the applicant within 90 days after
the final decision by the appropriate municipal agency with respect
to such application, upon certification by the Board Secretary that
such application has been finally decided.
(4) Payments.
(a)
Each payment charged to the deposit for review
of applications, review and preparation of documents and inspection
of improvements shall be pursuant to a voucher from the professional,
which voucher shall identify the personnel performing the service,
and each date the services were performed, the hours spent to one-quarter-hour
increments, the hourly rate and the expenses incurred. All professionals
shall submit vouchers to the Chief Financial Officer of the municipality
on a monthly basis in accordance with the schedules and procedures
established by the Chief Financial Officer. The professional shall
send an informational copy of all vouchers or statements submitted
to the Chief Financial Officer of the municipality simultaneously
to the applicant and the municipal agency for whom said services were
performed.
(b)
The Chief Financial Officer shall prepare and
send to the applicant a statement which shall include an accounting
of funds listing all deposits, interest earnings, disbursements and
the cumulative balance of the escrow account. This information shall
be provided on a quarterly basis if monthly charges are $1,000 or
less, or on a monthly basis if monthly charges exceed $1,000. If an
escrow account or deposit contains insufficient funds to enable the
municipality or approving authority to perform required application
reviews or improvement inspections, the Chief Financial Officer shall
provide the applicant with a notice of the insufficient escrow or
deposit balance. In order for work to continue on the development
or the application, the applicant shall, within a reasonable time
period, post a deposit to the account in an amount to be agreed upon
by the municipality or approving authority and the applicant. In the
interim, any required health and safety inspections shall be made
and charged back against the replenishment of funds.
(5) Payments required prior to issuance of permits. No
zoning permits, building permits, certificates of occupancy or any
other types of permits may be issued with respect to any approved
application for development until all bills for reimbursable services
have been received by the municipality from professional personnel
rendering services in connection with such application and payment
has been made.
(6) Close out procedures.
(a)
The following close out procedures shall apply
to all deposits and escrow accounts established under the provisions
of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq. and shall commence after the approving
authority has granted final approval and signed the subdivision plat
or site plan, in the case of application review escrows and deposits;
or after the improvements have been approved in accordance with N.J.S.A.
40:55D-53, in the case of improvement inspection escrows and deposits.
(b)
The applicant shall send written notice by certified
mail to the Chief Financial Officer of the municipality and the approving
authority and to the relevant municipal professional, that the application
or the improvements, as the case may be, are completed. After receipt
of such notice, the professional shall render a final bill to the
Chief Financial Officer of the municipality within 30 days and shall
send a copy simultaneously to the applicant. The Chief Financial Officer
of the municipality shall render a written final accounting to the
applicant on the uses to which the deposit was put within 45 days
of receipt of the final bill. Any balances remaining in the deposit
or escrow account, including interest in accordance with N.J.S.A.
40:55D-53.1, shall be refunded to the developer along with the final
accounting.
(7) Scope of charges. All professional charges for review
of an application for development, review and preparation of documents
or inspection of improvements shall be reasonable and necessary, given
the status and progress of the application or construction. Review
fees shall be charged only in connection with an application for development
presently pending before the approving authority or upon review of
compliance with the conditions of approval or review of requests for
modification or amendment made by the applicant. A professional shall
not review items which are subject to approval by any state governmental
agency and not under municipal jurisdiction except to the extent consultation
with a state agency is necessary due to the effect of state approvals
on the subdivision or site plan.
(8) Limitation of inspection fees. Inspection fees shall
be charged only for actual work shown on a subdivision or site plan
or required by an approving resolution. Professionals inspecting improvement
under construction shall charge only for inspections that are reasonably
necessary to check the progress and quality of the work, and such
inspections shall be reasonably based on the approved development
plans and documents.
(9) Substitution of professionals. If the municipality
retains a different professional or consultant in place of a professional
originally responsible for development application review, or inspection
of improvements, the municipality or approving authority shall be
responsible for all time and expenses of the new professional to become
familiar with the application or the project, and the municipality
or approving authority shall not bill the applicant or charge to the
deposit or the escrow account for any such services.
(10)
Estimate of cost of improvements. The cost of
the installation of improvements for the purposes of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-53
shall be estimated by the Municipal Engineer based on documented construction
costs for the public improvements prevailing in the general area of
the municipality. The developer may appeal the Municipal Engineer's
estimate to the County Construction Board of Appeals, established
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-127.
(11)
Appeals.
(a)
An applicant shall notify, in writing, the governing
body, with copies to the Chief Financial Officer, the approving authority
and the professional whenever the applicant disputes the charges made
by a professional for a service rendered to the municipality in reviewing
applications for development, review and preparation of documents,
inspection of improvements or other charges made pursuant to N.J.S.A.
40:55D-53.2. The governing body or its designee shall, within a reasonable
time, attempt to remediate any disputed charges. If the matter is
not resolved to the satisfaction of the applicant, the applicant may
appeal to the County Construction Board of Appeals, established pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-127 any charge to an escrow account or deposit
by any municipal professional or consultant, or the cost of the installation
of improvements estimated by the Municipal Engineer pursuant to N.J.S.A.
40:55D-53.4. An applicant or his authorized agent shall submit the
appeal in writing to the County Construction Board of Appeals. The
applicant or his authorized agent shall simultaneously send a copy
of the appeal to the municipality, approving authority and any professional
whose charges are the subject of the appeal. An applicant shall file
an appeal within 45 days from receipt of the informational copy of
the professional's voucher required by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-53.2c, except
that if the professional has not supplied the applicant with an informational
copy of the voucher, then the applicant shall file his appeal within
60 days from receipt of the municipal statement of activity against
the deposit or escrow account required by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-53.2c. An
applicant may file an appeal for an ongoing series of charges by a
professional during a period not exceeding six months to demonstrate
that they represent a pattern of excessive or inaccurate charges.
An applicant making use of this provision need not appeal each charge
individually.
(b)
Appeals shall be taken in accordance with the
Rules and Procedures established by the County Construction Board
of Appeals.
(c)
During the pendency of any appeal, the municipality
or approving authority shall continue to process, hear and decide
the application for development and to inspect the development in
the normal course and shall not withhold, delay or deny reviews, inspections,
signing of subdivision plats or site plans, the reduction or the release
of performance or maintenance guaranties, the issuance of construction
permits or certificates of occupancy, or any other approval or permit
because an appeal has been filed or is pending under this subsection.
The Chief Financial Officer of the municipality may pay charges out
of the appropriate escrow account or deposit for which an appeal has
been filed. If a charge is disallowed after payment, the Chief Financial
Officer of the municipality shall reimburse the deposit or escrow
account in the amount of any such disallowed charge or refund the
amount to the applicant. If a charge is disallowed after payment to
a professional or consultant who is not an employee of a municipality,
the professional or consultant shall reimburse the municipality in
the amount of any such disallowed charge.