The approving authority shall have the power to review and approve or deny conditional uses or site plans simultaneously with a review for subdivision approval without the developer being required to make further application or the approving authority being required to hold further hearings. The longest time period for action by the approving authority, whether it be for subdivision, conditional use or site plan approval, shall apply. Whenever approval of a conditional use is requested by the developer in conjunction with a site plan or subdivision, notice of the hearing on the plat shall include reference to the request for such conditional use. See §
188-9, Conditional use, in Article
II.
[Amended 3-25-1980 by Ord. No. 80-2; 7-14-1981 by Ord. No. 81-11]
A. Informal review. At the request of the developer, the Planning Board shall grant an informal review of a concept plan for development for which the developer intends to prepare and submit an application for development. The developer shall not be required to submit any nonrefundable fees for such an informal review as is required in §
188-13A. However, if legal, engineering, traffic, health, environmental, planning and/or other reviews are requested by the developer, the developer shall be requested to submit an escrow deposit to be utilized to pay the cost of any such legal, engineering, planning, traffic, environmental, health or other pertinent and necessary professional services, whether rendered by outside consultants or staff employees as a result of the review of this concept plan for development at this informal stage. The developer shall not be bound by any concept plan for which a review is requested, and the Development Coordinator shall not be bound by any such review.
[Amended 12-19-1989 by Ord. No. 89-13; 12-17-1991 by Ord. No. 91-27]
(1) After legal, engineering, planning, traffic, environmental,
health or other professional reviews are requested by the developer
in connection with his informal review, the Development Coordinator
shall, in conjunction with appropriate representatives of the staff
of the Township of Hillsborough, review said concept plan for development
to determine what the escrow deposit shall be. In conducting such
review, said Coordinator shall consider:
(a)
The presence or absence of public water and/or
sewer servicing the site.
(b)
Environmental considerations, including but
not limited to geological, hydrological and ecological factors.
(c)
The traffic impact of the proposed development.
(d)
The impact of the proposed development on existing
aquifer and/or water quality.
(2) In considering the appropriate amount of any escrow deposit, the Development Coordinator shall be guided by the escrow deposit formulas utilized in connection with formal applications as set forth in §
188-13B. Upon completion of said review, the Development Coordinator shall make formal recommendations to the Board which shall adopt a resolution specifying the amount of escrow deposit, if any, to be posted by the developer seeking informal review.
(3) All such escrow funds shall be utilized by the Planning
Board to cover the cost of professional services rendered by outside
consultants and/or staff employees, including but not limited to engineering,
planning, legal, traffic, environmental, health and other pertinent
and necessary professional services for review in connection with
the particular concept plan for development. All sums not actually
so expended shall be refunded to the applicant within 60 days after
completion of the informal review by the Planning Board.
(4) The escrow moneys shall be deposited pending completion
of the informal review. Said moneys shall be placed in an interest
bearing account. In the event that a refund is to be made to the developer,
the municipality shall refund, with interest, said amount within 30
days from the date of completion of the informal review.
B. Sketch plat and classification.
(1) The purposes of sketch plat submission are:
(a)
To provide for submission and approval of minor
subdivisions and minor site plans in a simplified fashion.
(b)
To provide for additional discussion and review,
at the option of the developer, in cases of major site plans, major
subdivisions and planned developments, prior to submission for preliminary
approvals.
(2) Filing procedure. The developer shall file with the
administrative officer at least two weeks prior to the meeting of
the Planning Board, 10 black-on-white prints of the sketch plat, four
completed copies of the application form, one copy of covenants, deed
restrictions and easements (unexecuted), a sample of the deed for
any land being offered to the Township and the applicable fee.
(3) Sketch plats shall include sufficient data to enable
the Planning Board and the applicant to comment upon design concepts
such as building location, ingress and egress, parking, major natural
features that will have to be recognized or may influence certain
design criteria and the applicant's basic intent for water, sewerage
and storm drainage facilities. As to major site plans, major subdivisions
and planned developments, such submissions are sketches to scale of
possible plans for development of an area and are not binding upon
the municipality or upon the developer and do not necessitate accurate
engineered drawings.
(4) Sketch plat of minor subdivision. An applicant may
elect to have an application for a minor subdivision processed to
approval through the sketch plat process rather than through the procedure
for preliminary and final approval. In such case:
(a)
The application shall meet the definition of "minor subdivision" as set forth in §
188-3B.
(b)
The plat shall include sufficient data and accurate
engineering to enable the Board to act thereon. If land or road dedications
are indicated or required by the Board, same shall be shown on the
plat and supported by accompanying deeds. The submission shall also
show all off-tract improvements to be paid for by the developer as
necessitated by the development.
(c)
The application shall not involve any request for a variance or other ancillary relief necessitating a public hearing. (See §
188-20.)
(5) Sketch plat of minor site plan. An applicant may elect
to have an application for a minor site plan processed to approval
through the sketch plat process rather than through the procedure
for preliminary and final approval. In such case:
(a)
The application shall meet the definition of "minor site plan" as set forth in§
188-3B.
(b)
The Planning Board does not find that the proposed use, proposed intensity of development, location of the tract, traffic conditions or environmental concerns are of sufficient concern that a public hearing should be held. [See §
188-28B(5).]
(c)
The plat shall include sufficient data and accurate
engineering to enable the Board to act thereon. If land or road dedications
are indicated or required by the Board, same shall be shown on the
plat and supported by accompanying deeds. The submission shall also
show all off-tract improvements to be paid for by the developer as
necessitated by the development.
(d)
The application shall not involve any request for a variance or other ancillary relief necessitating a public hearing. (See §
188-20.)
(6) When the Planning Board determines that any proposed
development will create, either directly or indirectly, an adverse
effect on either the remainder of the property being developed or
nearby property, the Planning Board may require the developer to revise
the plat. Where the remaining portion of the original tract is of
sufficient size to be developed or subdivided further, the developer
may be required to submit an informal or sketch plat of the entire
remaining portion of the tract to indicate a feasible plan whereby
the design of the proposed development together with the subsequent
subdivisions or development will not create, impose, aggravate or
lead to any such adverse effect(s).
(7) Action by Planning Board. The Planning Board shall
review the submission for its completeness and, if sufficient data
is presented, shall:
(a)
In the case of a major subdivision or major
site plan, classify the application within 45 days of the date of
the submission of a complete application or within such further time
as maybe consented to by the applicant.
[Amended 4-9-1985 by Ord. No. 85-1]
(b)
In the case of a minor subdivision, meeting the criteria set forth in Subsection
B(4) above, act to approve or deny the same within 45 days of the date of submission of a complete application or within such further time as may be consented to by the applicant.
(c)
In the case of a minor site plan, meeting the criteria set forth in Subsection
B(5) above, act to approve or deny the same within 45 days of the date of submission of a complete application or within such further time as may be consented to by the applicant.
(d)
Approval of a minor subdivision or minor site
plan, as above set forth, may be conditioned on terms ensuring the
provision of improvements pursuant to P.L. 1975, c. 291, Sections
29, 29.1, 29.3 and 41 of the Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-38,
40:55D-39, 40:55D-41 and 40:55D-53).
(e)
Whenever review or approval of the application
by the County Planning Board is required by Section 8 of P.L. 1968,
c. 285 (N.J.S.A. 40:27-6.6), the Planning Board shall condition any
approval that it grants upon timely receipt of a favorable report
on the application by the County Planning Board or approval by the
County Planning Board by its failure to report thereon within the
required time period.
(f)
An application for development shall be complete
for purposes of commencing the applicable time period for action by
the Planning Board when so certified by the Planning Board or its
authorized committee or designee. In the event that the Planning Board,
committee or designee does not certify the application to be complete
within 45 days of the date of its submission, the application shall
be deemed complete upon the expiration of the forty-five-day period
for purposes of commencing the applicable time period unless the application
lacks information indicated on a checklist included in this chapter
and provided to the applicant and the Planning Board or its authorized
committee or designee has notified the applicant, in writing, of the
deficiencies in the application within 45 days of submission of the
application. The applicant may request that one or more of the submission
requirements be waived, in which event the Planning Board or its authorized
committee shall grant or deny the request within 45 days. Nothing
herein shall be construed as diminishing the applicant's obligation
to prove in the application process that he is entitled to approval
of the application. The Planning Board may subsequently require correction
of any information found to be in error and submission of additional
information not specified in this chapter or any revisions in the
accompanying documents as are reasonably necessary to make an informed
decision as to whether the requirements necessary for approval of
the application for development have been met. The application shall
not be deemed incomplete for lack of any such additional information
or any revisions in the accompanying documents so required by the
Planning Board.
[Added 4-9-1985 by Ord. No. 85-1]
(8) Effect of minor subdivision approval.
(a)
Approval of a minor subdivision shall expire
190 days from the date of approval unless within such period a plat
in conformity with such approval, including any conditions imposed
by the approving authority and in conformity with the provisions of
the Map Filing Law P.L. 1960, c. 141 (N.J.S.A. 46:23-9.9 et seq.),
as the same may be amended or supplemented, or a deed clearly describing
the approved minor subdivision is filed by the developer with the
county recording officer, the Township Engineer and the Township Tax
Assessor. Any such plat or deed accepted for such filing shall have
been signed by the chairman and secretary of the approving authority
(or the vice chairman or assistant secretary in their absence, respectively).
In reviewing the application for development for a proposed minor
subdivision, the approving authority may accept a plat not in conformity
with the aforesaid Map Filing Law, provided that if the developer
chooses to file the minor subdivision as provided herein by plat rather
than deed, such plat shall conform with the provisions of said act.
(b)
The zoning requirements and general terms and
conditions, whether conditional or otherwise, upon which minor subdivision
approval was granted shall not be changed for a period of two years
after the date of minor subdivision approval, provided that the approved
minor subdivision shall have been duly recorded.
(9) Effect of minor site plan approval. The zoning requirements
and general terms and conditions, whether conditional or otherwise,
upon which minor site plan approval was granted shall not be changed
for a period of two years after the date of minor site plan approval.
[Amended 7-14-1981 by Ord. No. 81-11]
Preliminary plats are required for all major
site plans and major subdivisions.
A. Filing procedure.
(1) Any developer shall submit to the administrative officer, at least two weeks prior to the meeting of the approving authority, 16 black-on-white copies of the preliminary plat; four completed copies of the application form for preliminary approval; two completed copies of the County Planning Board application form; five copies of any protective covenants, deed restrictions and easements applying to the land being developed; four copies of the drainage calculations; an environmental impact report and soil erosion and sediment control data as required in Article
IV of this chapter; and the applicable fee.
(2) A corporation or partnership applying for permission
to subdivide a parcel of land into six or more lots or for a variance
to construct a multiple dwelling of 25 or more family units or for
approval of a site to be used for commercial purposes shall list the
names and addresses of all stockholders or individual partners owning
at least 10% of its stock of any class or at least 10% of the interest
in the partnership, as the case may be. If a corporation or partnership
owns a ten-percent-or-greater interest in a partnership, subject to
the above disclosure, that corporation or partnership shall list the
names and addresses of its stockholders holding 10% or more of its
stock or of a ten-percent-or-greater interest in the partnership,
as the case may be, and this requirement shall be followed by every
corporate stockholder or partner in a partnership until the names
and addresses of the noncorporate stockholders and individual partners
exceeding the ten-percent ownership criterion established in this
section have been listed. No planning board, board of adjustment or
municipal governing body shall approve the application of any corporation
or partnership which does not comply with this requirement of N.J.S.A.
40:55D-48.1. The penalty for concealment by a corporation or partnership
shall be as outlined in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-48.1.
B. Action by the approving authority.
(1) The approving authority shall review the submission
for its completeness and take action on accepting or rejecting the
submission as a complete application. If rejected, the applicant shall
be notified in writing of the deficiencies within 45 days of submission.
(2) If accepted as an application, a public hearing date shall be set and notice given as required by this chapter in Article
II.
(3) Upon submission of a plat, the administrative officer
shall submit one copy of the plat and supporting data to the County
Planning Board, Township Engineer, Environmental Commission and any
other agency or person as directed by the approving authority for
their review and action. Each shall have not more than 30 days from
receipt of the plat to report to the approving authority. In the event
of disapproval, such report shall state the reasons therefor. If any
agency, or person fails to report to the approving authority within
the designated period, said plat shall be deemed to have been approved
by them. Upon mutual agreement between the County Planning Board and
the approving authority, with approval of the applicant, the thirty-day
period for a County Planning Board report may be extended for an additional
30 days and any extension shall so extend the time within which the
approving authority is required to act.
(4) If the submission is accepted as a subdivision, the
approving authority shall grant or deny preliminary approval of a
subdivision of 10 or fewer lots within 45 days of the date of such
submission or within such further time as may be consented to by the
developer. Upon the submission of a complete application for a subdivision
of more than 10 lots, the approving authority shall grant or deny
preliminary approval within 95 days of the date of such submission
or within such further time as may be consented to by the developer.
Otherwise, the approving authority shall be deemed to have granted
preliminary approval to the subdivision.
(5) If the submission is accepted as a site plan, the
approving authority shall grant or deny preliminary site plan approval
within the following time periods unless some further time has been
consented to by the developer:
(a)
A site plan for 10 acres of land or less and
10 dwelling units or less, within 45 days of the date of submission.
(b)
A site plan of more than 10 acres or more than
10 dwelling units within 95 days of the date of submission. Before
any action is taken on any preliminary site plan containing more than
10 acres or for a site plan containing a flood hazard area, the approving
authority shall conduct a public hearing as established in this chapter.
Action may be taken on a preliminary site plan for 10 acres of land
or less without a public hearing unless, in the opinion of the approving
authority, the proposed use, proposed intensity of development, location
of the tract, traffic conditions or environmental concerns for a property
of 10 acres or less are of sufficient concern that the approving authority
desires to receive the public's comments. Where a public hearing is
scheduled for a site plan, no action shall be taken until completion
of the public hearing, and the scheduling and notifications for the
hearing shall be in accordance with this chapter.
(6) If the approving authority required any substantial
amendment in the layout of improvements in either a site plan or subdivision
as proposed by the developer and that plan had been the subject of
a hearing, an amended application for development shall be submitted
and proceeded upon, as in the case of the original application for
development. The approving authority shall, if the proposed development
complies with this chapter, grant preliminary approval.
(7) The approving authority may approve, disapprove or approve with conditions the application, including action on the environmental impact report in Article
VI. Such action shall not take place until after any required public hearing has been conducted. The decision shall be in writing and shall be sent to the applicant and the newspaper as required by §
188-20, Public hearing and notices, in Article
II. If the approving authority grants preliminary approval, its Chairman and Secretary (or the Vice Chairman or Assistant Secretary in their absence, respectively) and Township Engineer shall sign each page of the plat indicating the approval. If the plat is conditionally approved, it shall not be signed until all conditions are complied with. If all conditions are not complied with within 180 days from the date of the meeting at which a plat was conditionally approved, the conditional approval shall lapse.
(8) After approval of the preliminary plat, the administrative
officer shall retain one copy and forward copies of the signed plat
to each of the following:
(c)
Township Board of Health.
(d)
Municipal Utilities Authority.
(g)
The subdivider, for compliance with final approval
requirements.
(h)
Such other Township, county or state officials
as directed by the approving authority.
(9) Preliminary approval shall, except as provided in Subsection
B(9)(d),
(e) and
(f) below, confer upon the applicant the following rights for a three-year period from the date on which the resolution of preliminary approval is adopted:
[Amended 12-13-1988 by Ord. No. 88-32; 5-11-1993 by Ord. No. 98-11]
(a)
The general terms and conditions on which preliminary
approval was granted shall not be changed, including but not limited
to use requirements; layout and design standards for streets, curbs
and sidewalks; lot size; yard dimensions and off-tract improvements;
and any requirements peculiar to site plan approval, except that nothing
herein shall be construed to prevent the Township from modifying by
ordinance such general terms and conditions of preliminary approval
as relate to public health and safety.
(b)
The applicant may submit for final approval,
on or before the expiration date of preliminary approval, the whole
or a section or sections of the preliminary plat, except that if the
final plat is not submitted within the three-year period or any extended
time, the preliminary approval shall be void.
(c)
The applicant may apply for and the approving
authority may grant extensions on such preliminary approval for additional
periods of at least one year, but not to exceed a total extension
of two years, provided that, if the design standards have been revised
by ordinance, such revised standards may govern.
(d)
In the case of a development for a non-farm area of 50 acres or more, the approving authority may grant the rights referred to in Subsection
B(9)(a),
(b) and
(c) above for such period of time, longer than three years, as shall be determined by the approving authority to be reasonable, taking into consideration the number of dwelling units and nonresidential floor area permissible under preliminary approval; the potential number of dwelling units and nonresidential floor area of the section(s) awaiting final approval; economic conditions; and the comprehensiveness of the development, provided that, if the design standards have been revised, such revised standards may govern.
(e)
In the case of farm property containing an area of 50 acres or more where the landowner wishes to continue the use of his land for agricultural purposes but preserve the increasing market value of that land for nonagricultural purposes, the preliminary subdivision approval shall confer upon the applicant all rights referred to in Subsection
B(9)(a) above for a period of 10 years, provided that if the design standards have been revised, such revised standards may govern and subject to the following rights, terms and conditions:
[1]
With respect to plat design standards for the subdivision, the approving authority may waive, until such time an application for preliminary approval with design standards is requested, certain requirements of §
188-30C(3),
(4),
(5),
(6),
(8) and
(10) and all requirements of (13) in connection with the preliminary subdivision application because of their cost-generating factors.
[Amended 4-25-1989 by Ord. No. 89-6]
[2]
During the first six years or the first six years of any renewal period as discussed in Subsection
B(9)(e)[4] below, the applicant shall not be able to process an application for preliminary subdivision approval with the design standards previously waived in Subsection
B(9)(e)[1] above satisfied and/or process an application for final subdivision approval and/or commence construction for any subdivision improvements.
[3]
During the first seven years, the applicant
shall agree to continue to use the land contained within the subdivision
application for agricultural purposes.
[4]
During the seventh year after preliminary subdivision approval without design standards, in accordance with the waiver delineated in Subsection
B(9)(e)[1] above, the applicant shall either submit a request to the Planning Board that the preliminary subdivision approval without design standards be extended for a second period of seven years to allow for the continued use of the land for agricultural purposes or submit the balance of the required details of preliminary subdivision approval temporarily waived at the time of the original subdivision approval. If the latter alternative is chosen and the balance of the required construction details are submitted to the satisfaction of the Planning Board, the preliminary subdivision approval, with all design standards satisfied, shall remain in effect for three more years (making a total of 10 years), at which point final subdivision approval must have been obtained. The former alternative to extend the preliminary subdivision approval without design standards to allow for the continued use of the land for agricultural purposes may be chosen not only in the seventh year of the first seven-year period but in the seventh year of all seventh-year renewal periods as well, so long as the applicant wishes to continue to use his land for agricultural purposes. Failure of the applicant to make the required choice at the proper time, as delineated hereinabove, shall result in the preliminary subdivision approval without design standards being voided at the end of the seven-year period involved.
[5]
The applicant shall be allowed to process one
minor subdivision application per year if said minor subdivision is
in accordance with the approved major preliminary subdivision and
does not involve any new street or the extension of any off-tract
improvement.
[6]
If for any reason the zoning on the property
changes to allow an increased density, the applicant may, during the
initial seven-year period or any renewal period thereafter, pursue
a modified preliminary subdivision approval without design standards
based upon the current zoning requirements.
[7]
The landowner of the farm property of 50 acres or more need not proceed under Subsection
B(9)(e) if he is not motivated to preserve the land for agricultural purposes as discussed hereinabove. However, in that latter situation, there shall be no waiver, and the applicant must comply with §
188-30C(4),
(5),
(6),
(7),
(10) and
(13), as well as all other requirements of plat design standards for preliminary subdivisions.
[8]
The benefits conferred by Subsection
B(9)(e) shall apply to:
[a] One landowner who owns 50 acres
or more;
[b] One landowner who owns more than
one tract, each of which is less than 50 acres but all of which, when
added together, totals 50 acres or more, provided that no tract is
less than 20 acres, all tracts are in reasonable proximity to one
another and the applicant demonstrates that all tracts are or may
be farmed as one overall integrated farm operation; or
[c] Different landowners who own less
than 50 acres but whose land is contiguous and when taken together
comprise 50 acres or more, provided that all such landowners agree
to pursue the development of their land as one overall application
for development.
[9]
Should the applicant choose not to request a
seven-year extension but submit the waiver requirements to the satisfaction
of the approving authority, the preliminary subdivision rights will
continue for the remaining three years, for a total of 10 years, at
which time final subdivision approval will have had to have been obtained.
(f)
In the case of a development of farm property containing an area of less than 50 acres, but 20 acres or more, where the landowner wished to continue the use of his land for agricultural purposes while preserving the increased market value of the land for nonagricultural purposes, the preliminary subdivision approval shall confer upon the applicant all rights referred to in Subsection
B(9)(a) above for a period of five years, provided that, if the design standards have been revised, such revised standards may govern, and also subject to the rights, terms and conditions delineated hereinafter:
[1]
With respect to plat design standards for the subdivision, the approving authority may waive, until such time an application for preliminary subdivision approval with design standards is requested, certain requirements of §
188-30C(3),
(4),
(5),
(6),
(8) and
(10) and all requirements of (13) in connection with the preliminary subdivision application because of their cost generating factors.
[Amended 4-25-1989 by Ord. No. 89-6]
[2]
During the first two years, the applicant shall not be able to process an application for preliminary subdivision approval with the design standards temporarily waived in Subsection
B(9)(f)[1] above satisfied and/or process an application for final subdivision approval and/or commence construction for any subdivision improvements.
[3]
During the aforementioned three-year period,
the applicant shall agree to continue to use the land contained within
the subdivision application for agricultural purposes.
[4]
During the third year after subdivision approval,
the landowner shall submit the balance of the required details of
the preliminary subdivision approval that were temporarily waived
at the time of the original preliminary subdivision approval, and
if approved by the Planning Board, the preliminary subdivision approval
shall remain in effect for two more years, making a total of five
years, at which point final subdivision approval must have been obtained.
[Amended 4-25-1989 by Ord. No. 89-6]
[5]
The applicant shall be allowed to process one
minor subdivision application per year if said minor subdivision is
in accordance with the approved major preliminary subdivision and
does not involve any new street or the extension of any off-tract
improvement.
[6]
If for any reason the zoning on the subject
property changes to allow increased density, the applicant may, during
the three years of the preliminary subdivision approval without design
standards, make application based upon the current zoning requirements.
[7]
The landowner of farm property of less than 50 acres but at least 20 acres or more need not proceed under this Subsection
B(9)(f) if he is not motivated to preserve the land for agricultural purposes as described hereinabove. However, in that latter situation, there shall be no waiver and the applicant must comply with §
188-30C(4),
(5),
(6),
(7),
(10) and
(13) as well as all other requirements of plat design standards for subdivisions.
(g)
Whenever the Planning Board grants an extension of preliminary approval pursuant to Subsection
B(9)(c) or
(d) of this section and preliminary approval has expired before the date on which the extension is granted, the extension shall begin on what would otherwise be the expiration date. The developer may apply for the extension either before or after what would otherwise be the expiration date.
[Added 5-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-11]
(h)
The Planning Board shall grant an extension of preliminary approval for a period determined by the Board but not exceeding one year from what would otherwise be the expiration date, if the developer proves to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board that the developer was barred or prevented, directly or indirectly, from proceeding with the development because of delays in obtaining legally required approvals from other governmental entities and that the developer applied promptly for and diligently pursued the required approvals. A developer shall apply for the extension before what would otherwise be the expiration date of the preliminary approval or the 91st day after the developer receives the last legally required approvals from other governmental entities, whichever occurs later. An extension granted pursuant to this subsection shall not preclude the Planning Board from granting an extension pursuant to Subsection
B(9)(c) or
(d) of this section.
[Added 5-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-11]
A final plat is required for all development
applications.
A. Filing procedure.
(1) The developer shall file with the administrative officer
at least two weeks prior to the meeting of the approving authority
one Mylar, two cloth and 10 black-on-white paper prints of the plat
and four completed copies of the application form for final approval,
four completed copies of the final plat checklist, two completed copies
of the County Planning Board application form, the performance guaranty,
including off-tract improvements, if any, any maintenance guaranties
and the applicable fee.
(2) Letters directed to the Chairman of the approving
authority and signed by a responsible officer of the water company,
sewer authority and gas, telephone and electric utility that has jurisdiction
in the area approving each proposed utility installation design and
stating who will construct the facility shall be filed.
(3) The applicant shall file proof that all taxes are
paid to date on the property.
(4) The final plat shall be accompanied by a statement
by the Township Engineer that he is in receipt of a map showing all
utilities and other improvements (both in the development and off-tract
improvements) in exact location and elevation, that he has examined
the drainage, erosion, stormwater control and excavation plans and
found that the interests of the Township and of nearby properties
are fully protected, and identifying those portions of any improvements
already installed and that the developer has either:
(a)
Installed all improvements in accordance with
the requirements of this chapter and the preliminary plat approval
with a maintenance guaranty accompanying the final plat; or
(b)
Posted a performance guaranty in accordance
with this chapter and the preliminary plat approval for all partially
completed improvements or improvements not yet initiated.
B. Action by the approving authority.
(1) The approving authority shall grant final approval
if the detailed drawings, specifications and estimates of the application
for final approval conform to the standards established by ordinance
for final approval, the conditions of preliminary approval and, in
the case of a major subdivision, the standards prescribed by the Map
Filing Law, N.J.S.A. 46:23-9.9 et seq., provided that, in the case
of a planning development, the approving authority may permit minimal
deviations from the conditions of preliminary approval necessitated
by change of conditions beyond the control of the developer since
the date of preliminary approval without the developer being required
to submit another application for development for preliminary approval.
(2) Final approval shall be granted or denied within 45
days after submission of a complete application to the administrative
officer or within such further time as may be consented to by the
applicant. An approved final plat shall be signed by the Chairman
and Secretary of the approving authority (or the Vice Chairman or
Assistant Secretary in their absence, respectively). Failure of the
approving authority to act within the period prescribed shall constitute
final approval, and a certificate of the administrative officer as
to the failure of the approving authority to act shall be issued on
request of the applicant, and it shall be sufficient in lieu of the
written endorsement or other evidence of approval herein required
and shall be so accepted by the county recording officer for purposes
of filing subdivision plats.
(3) Whenever review or approval of the application by
the County Planning Board is required by N.J.S.A. 40:27-6.3 or 40:27-6.6,
the Township approving authority shall condition any approval that
it grants upon timely receipt of a favorable report on the application
by the County Planning Board or approval by the County Planning Board
by its failure to report thereon within the required time period.
(4) Expiration of minor subdivision approval.
[Amended 5-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-11]
(a)
Except as provided hereinafter, approval of
a minor subdivision shall expire 190 days from the date on which the
resolution of municipal approval is adopted unless within such period
a plat in conformity with such approval, including any conditions
imposed by the approving authority and in conformity with the provisions
of the Map Filing Law (N.J.S.A. 46:23-9.9 et seq.), or a deed clearly
describing the approval of the minor subdivision is filed by the developer
with the county recording officer, the Municipal Engineer and the
Township Tax Assessor. Any such plat or deed accepted for such filing
shall have been signed by the Chairman and the Secretary of the approving
authority (or the Vice Chairman or the Assistant Secretary in their
absence, respectively). In reviewing the application for development
for a proposed minor subdivision, the approving authority may accept
a plat not in conformity with the Map Filing Law, provided that if
the developer chooses to file the minor subdivision as provided herein
by plat rather than deed, such plat shall conform to the provisions
of said law.
(b)
The Board may extend the one-hundred-ninety-day
period for filing a minor subdivision plat or deed if the developer
proves to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Board that the
developer was barred or prevented, directly or indirectly, from filing
because of delays in obtaining legally required approvals from other
governmental or quasi-governmental entities and that the developer
applied promptly for and diligently pursued the required approvals.
The length of the extension shall be equal to the period of delay
caused by the wait for the required approvals as determined by the
Planning Board. The developer may apply for the extension either before
or after what would otherwise be the expiration date.
(5) Expiration of major subdivision approval.
[Amended 5-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-11]
(a)
Final approval of a major subdivision shall
expire 95 days from the date of signing of the plat unless within
such period that plat shall have been duly filed by the developer
with the county recording officer. The approving authority may for
good cause shown extend the period for recording for an additional
period not to exceed 190 days from the date of signing of the plat.
Also, the Board may extend the ninety-five-day or one-hundred-ninety-day
period if the developer proves to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Board that the developer was barred or prevented, directly or indirectly,
from filing because of delays in obtaining legally required approvals
from other governmental entities and that the developer applied promptly
for and diligently pursued the required approvals. The length of the
extension shall be equal to the period of delay caused by the wait
for the required approvals, as determined by the Board. The developer
may apply for an extension before or after the original expiration
date. No subdivision plat shall be accepted for filing by the county
recording officer until it has been approved by the approving authority
as indicated on the instrument by the signatures of the Chairman and
the Secretary of the approving authority or a certificate has been
issued as to the failure of the approving authority to act within
the required time. The signatures of the Chairman and Secretary shall
not be affixed until the developer has posted the required guaranties.
If the county recording officer records any plat without such approval,
such recording shall be deemed null and void, and, upon request of
the Township, the plat shall be expunged from the official records.
It shall be the duty of the county recording officer to notify the
approving authority in writing within seven days of the filing of
any plat, identifying such instrument by its title, date of filing
and official number.
(b)
The Board may extend the one-hundred-ninety-day
period for filing a minor subdivision plat or deed if the developer
proves to the reasonable satisfaction of the Planning Board that the
developer was barred or prevented, directly or indirectly, from filing
because of delays in obtaining legally required approvals from other
governmental or quasi-governmental entities and that the developer
applied promptly for and diligently pursued the required approvals.
The length of the extension shall be equal to the period of delay
caused by the wait for the required approvals as determined by the
Planning Board. The developer may apply for the extension either before
or after what would otherwise be the expiration date.
(6) Applicability of zoning requirements.
[Amended 5-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-11]
(a)
Provided that the approved final plat has been
filed with the county recording officer, the zoning requirements applicable
to the preliminary approval first granted and all other rights conferred
upon the developer pursuant to the Municipal Land Use Law, whether
conditionally or otherwise, shall not be changed for a period of two
years from the date on which the resolution of approval was adopted.
If the developer has followed the standards prescribed for final approval,
the approving authority may extend such period of protection for extensions
of one year, but not to exceed three extensions. Upon granting final
approval, the rights conferred upon the applicant by the granting
of the preliminary approval shall be terminated upon final approval,
provided that the approved final plat of a minor subdivision has been
filed with the county recording officer. The zoning requirements and
general terms and conditions, whether conditional or otherwise, upon
which minor subdivision approval was granted shall not be changed
for a period of two years after the date of minor subdivision approval.
(b)
The Board shall grant an extension of minor
subdivision approval for a period determined by the Board, but not
exceeding one year, from what would otherwise be an expiration date
if the developer proves to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board
that the developer was barred or prevented, directly or indirectly,
from proceeding with the development because of delays in obtaining
legally required approvals from other governmental entities and that
the developer applied promptly for and diligently pursued the required
approvals. A developer shall apply for the extension before what would
otherwise be the expiration date of minor subdivision approval or
the 91st day after the developer receives the last legally required
approval from other governmental entities, whichever occurs later.
(c)
The zoning requirements and general terms and
conditions, whether conditional or otherwise, upon which minor site
plan approval was granted shall not be changed for a period of two
years after the date of minor site plan approval. The Board shall
grant an extension of this period for a period determined by the Board,
but not exceeding one year, from what would otherwise be the expiration
date if the developer proves to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Board that the developer was barred or prohibited, directly or indirectly,
from proceeding with the development because of delays in obtaining
legally required approvals from other governmental entities and that
the developer applied promptly for and diligently pursued the approvals.
A developer shall apply for this extension before what would otherwise
be the expiration date or the 91st day after the date on which the
developer receives the last legally required approval from other governmental
entities, whichever occurs later.
(d)
The zoning requirements applicable to the preliminary
approval first granted and all other rights conferred upon the developer
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-49, whether conditionally or otherwise,
shall not be changed for a period of two years after the date on which
the resolution of final approval is adopted, provided that in the
case of a major subdivision the rights conferred by this section shall
expire if the plat has not been duly recorded within the time period
provided in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-54. If the developer has followed the
standards prescribed for final approval and, in the case of a subdivision,
has duly recorded the plat as required by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-54, the
Board may extend such period of protection for extensions of one year,
but not to exceed three extensions. Notwithstanding any other provisions
of this chapter, the granting of final approval terminates the time
period of preliminary approval pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-49 for
the section granted final approval.
(7) Extension of approval.
[Amended 5-11-1993 by Ord. No. 93-11]
(a)
In the case of a subdivision or site plan for a planned development of 50 acres or more, or conventional subdivision or site plan of 150 acres or more, the approving authority may grant the rights referred to in the above Subsection
B(6) for such period of time, longer than two years, as shall be determined by the approving authority to be reasonable, taking into consideration the number of dwelling units and nonresidential floor area permissible under final approval, economic conditions and the comprehensiveness of the development. The developer may apply for thereafter, and the approving authority may grant, an extension of final approval for such additional period of time as shall be determined by the approving authority to be reasonable, taking into consideration the number of dwelling units and nonresidential floor area permissible under final approval, the number of dwelling units and nonresidential floor area remaining to be developed, economic conditions and the comprehensiveness of the development.
(b)
Whenever the Board grants an extension of final
approval and final approval has already expired on the date on which
the extension is granted, extension shall begin on what would otherwise
have been the expiration date. The developer may apply for the extension
either before or after what would otherwise be the expiration date.
(c)
The Board shall grant an extension of final
approval for a period determined by the Board, but not exceeding one
year, from what would otherwise be the expiration date if the developer
proves to the reasonable satisfaction of the Board that the developer
was barred or prevented, directly or indirectly, from proceeding with
the development because of delays in obtaining legally required approvals
from other governmental entities and that the developer applied promptly
for and diligently pursued these approvals. The developer shall apply
for the extension before what would otherwise be the expiration date
of final approval or the 91st day after the developer receives the
last legally required approval from other governmental entities, whichever
occurs later. An extension granted pursuant to this subsection shall
not preclude the Board from granting an extension pursuant to any
of the other subsections delineated hereinabove.
(8) Findings for planned development. The approval of
a planned development shall find the following facts and conclusions:
(a)
That departures by the proposed development
from zoning regulations otherwise applicable to the subject property
conform to the zoning standards.
(b)
That the proposals for maintenance and conservation
of the common open space are reliable, and the amount, location and
purpose of the common open space are adequate.
(c)
That provision through the physical design of
the proposed development for public services, control over vehicular
and pedestrian traffic and the amenities of light and air, recreation
and visual enjoyment are adequate.
(d)
That the proposed planned development will not
have an unreasonable adverse impact upon the area in which it is proposed
to be established.
(e)
In the case of a proposed development which
contemplates construction over a period of years, that the terms and
conditions intended to protect the interests of the public and of
the residents, occupants and owners of the proposed development in
the total completion of the development are adequate.
(9) Upon final approval, the applicant shall provide:
(a)
Three sets of final plans and one signed linen
and one Mylar of the final plan to the Township Engineer.
(b)
One Mylar and opaque linen copies to the County
Clerk per law.
(c)
One linen to the Township Clerk.
(d)
One signed paper print to the Planning Board,
Building Inspector, Municipal Utilities Authority, Tax Assessor, County
planning Board and such other Township, county or state officials
or other individuals as directed by the Board.
(e)
One set of final plans to the approving authority.