Regulation of land development and the attachment
of reasonable conditions to development applications are exercises
of valid police powers delegated by the state to the Borough. The
applicant shall comply with reasonable conditions laid down by the
approving authority for design, dedication, improvements and the use
of the land to conform to the physical and economical development
of the municipality and to the safety and general welfare of the future
residents/owners in the development and the community at large. Where
County Planning Board review or approval is required on a subdivision
or site plan, the approving authority shall condition any approval
it grants upon either timely receipt of a favorable report by the
County Planning Board or approval by the County Planning Board due
to its failure to submit a report within the required time period.
If the County's report is negative or attaches conditions, the original
action by the municipal approving authority shall be null and void
and a new resolution shall be adopted which considers the County Planning
Board's report.
The approving authority, when acting upon applications for preliminary or minor subdivision approval and/or site plan approval, shall have the power to grant such exceptions from the design and performance standards in Part
3 of this chapter as may be reasonable and within the general purpose and intent of the provisions for subdivision/site plan review and approval if the literal enforcement of one or more provisions of this chapter is impracticable or will exact undue hardship because of peculiar conditions pertaining to the land in question.
The approving authority may waive required notices
and hearing for minor and exempt subdivisions except where a variance
or conditional use is part of the application. Divisions of land not
considered a subdivision, as defined in this chapter or in N.J.S.A.
40:55D-1 et seq., shall be exempt from compliance with the requirements
of this chapter, including division of land for agricultural purposes
where all resulting parcels are five acres or larger in size; divisions
by testamentary or intestate provisions; divisions of property by
court order; and conveyances so as to combine existing lots by deed
or other instrument, as the case may be.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1304]
A. The approving board may waive public notice and hearing
for a plan if it is found that the subdivision of land contains not
more than three lots fronting on an existing street; not involving
any new street, road, extension of municipal facilities, planned development;
and not adversely affecting the development of the remainder of the
parcel or adjoining property; and is not in conflict with any provision
of the Master Plan or this chapter.
B. Minor subdivision approval shall be granted or denied
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.
Failure of the approving authority to act within 45 days shall constitute
minor subdivision approval. The approving board shall condition any
approval that it grants pursuant to this section upon timely receipt
of a favorable report on the application by the Middlesex County Planning
Board or approval by the Middlesex County Planning Board by its failure
to report thereon within the required time period.
C. Extensions of time to act.
(1) 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 plan in conformity with such approval
and the provisions of the Map Filing Law or a deed clearly describing
the approved minor subdivision is filed by the applicant with the
Middlesex County Recording Officer, the Borough Engineer and the Borough
Tax Assessor. Any plan or deed accepted for such filing shall have
been signed by the chairman and secretary of the approving board.
(2) The Planning Board may extend the one-hundred-ninety-day
period for filing a minor subdivision plat or deed pursuant to this
subsection if the developer proves to the reasonable satisfaction
of the Planning Board: a) 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 b) 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.
(3) The Planning 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 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: a) what
would otherwise be the expiration date of minor subdivision approval;
or b) the 91st day after the developer receives the last legally required
approval from other governmental entities, whichever occurs later.
D. The applicant shall submit to the administrative officer
at least 21 days prior to the public meeting of the approving board
20 blue- or black-on-white copies of the sketch plat; 20 completed
copies of the standard development application form; three completed
copies of the sketch plat checklist; three copies of any protective
covenants, deed restrictions and easements applying to the land being
developed; five copies of the drainage calculations and soil erosion
and sediment control data, if required; 10 copies of any required
traffic, environmental or other study or report as may be required
by the Board; the applicable fee; and certification by the Tax Collector
that all taxes are paid to date. If the applicant is not the owner
of record of the land, then all contractual agreements concerning
its use shall be submitted. If the application is found to be incomplete,
the applicant shall be notified within 45 days of submission of such
application or it shall be deemed to be properly submitted.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1304]
A. Any owner of land within the municipality shall, prior
to subdividing or resubdividing land, as defined in this chapter,
submit to the administrative officer at least 21 days prior to a regular
meeting of the approving authority, 25 blue- or black-on-white copies
of the preliminary plat; 25 completed copies of the standard development
application form; three completed copies of the preliminary plat checklist;
three copies of any protective covenants, deed restrictions and easements
applying to the land being developed; three copies of the drainage
calculations and soil erosion and sediment control data, if required;
the applicable fee; and certification by the Tax Collector that all
taxes are paid to date. If the applicant is not the owner of record
of the land, then all contractual agreements concerning its use shall
be submitted. If the application is found to be incomplete, the applicant
shall be notified in writing within 45 days of submission of such
application or it shall be deemed to be properly submitted.
B. If the approving board requires a substantial amendment
in the layout of improvements proposed by the applicant that have
been the subject of a hearing, an amended application shall be submitted
and proceeded upon as in the case of the original application. The
approving board, shall, if the proposed subdivision complies with
the standards and provisions of this chapter, grant preliminary approval
to the subdivision.
C. Upon the submission to the administrative officer
of a complete application for a subdivision of 10 or fewer lots, the
approving board shall grant or deny preliminary approval within 45
days of the date of such submission or within such further time as
may be consented to by the applicant. Upon the submission to the administrative
officer of a complete application for a subdivision of more than 10
lots, the approving board shall grant or deny within 95 days of the
date of such submission or within such further time as may be consented
to by the applicant. Failure of the approving authority to act within
the above-prescribed time periods shall be deemed to have granted
preliminary subdivision approval.
D. Two preliminary plans shall be filed by the applicant
with the Middlesex County Planning Board. If the Middlesex County
Planning Board fails to act on the subdivision application within
a thirty-day period, the application shall be deemed to have been
approved by the County Planning Board. However, by mutual agreement
between the County Planning Board and the approving board, with the
approval of the applicant, the thirty-day period may be extended for
an additional thirty-day period. Any such extension shall so extend
the time within which the municipal approving authority shall be required
by law to act. Should the Middlesex County Planning Board fail to
receive an approved extension of time, and the Secretary of the County
Planning Board shall attest on the final plan to the failure of the
County Planning Board to report within the required time period, such
attestation shall be sufficient authorization for further Borough
action on the application.
E. Effect of preliminary approval. Preliminary approval of a major subdivision shall, except as provided in Subsection
F below, confer upon the applicant the following rights for a three-year period from the date of the preliminary approval:
(1) That 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;
any requirements peculiar to site plan approval, except that nothing
herein shall be construed to prevent the Borough from modifying by
ordinance such general terms and conditions of preliminary approval
as relate to public health and safety.
(2) That 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.
(3) That 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.
F. In the case of a development of an area of 50 acres or more, the approving authority may grant the rights referred to in Subsection
E 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, economic conditions and the comprehensiveness of the development. The applicant may thereafter apply for and the approving authority may grant an extension to preliminary approval for such additional period of time as shall be determined by the approving authority.
G. Whenever the Planning Board grants an extension of preliminary approval pursuant to Subsection
E(3) or
F 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.
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: 1) what would otherwise be the expiration date of preliminary approval; or 2) 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 section shall not preclude the Planning Board from granting an extension pursuant to Subsection
E(3) or
F of this section.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1292; Ord. No. 1314; Ord. No. 1441; Ord. No. 1509]
A. Prior to the issuance of a building permit or certificate
of occupancy for any new structure or use, change, addition or alteration
in structure or use, external renovations, construction of or addition
to a parking lot or use of vacant land as a parking lot, change in
use of any nonresidential use, or for any new structure or use, a
site plan shall be reviewed, approved or waived, as hereinafter provided,
by the approving authority. Detached one- and two-family dwellings
used exclusively as residences are specifically excluded from the
site plan requirement. Specifically included are all applications
within the C, PO and CBD Districts for:
(1) Permits for the erection or exterior alteration of
any building or structure, including its color, texture and exterior
lighting;
(2) Site plan and subdivision applications;
(3) Signs, awnings, canopies and marquees;
(4) Buildings or structures erected upon public land or
allowed to extend over or upon any street, sidewalk, public property
or public right-of-way;
(5) Change of permitted use, except where the existing
site development meets the requirements of this chapter for the new
use;
[Amended 7-6-2010 by Ord. No. 10-1786]
(6) Minor site improvements such as plantings, shade trees,
landscaping or repaving of exterior spaces;
(7) Location of street furniture.
B. The approving authority may waive certain site plan
content requirements if the proposed construction or alteration or
change of occupancy or use does not effect existing circulation, drainage,
relationship of buildings to each other, external appearance, landscaping,
buffering, lighting, signage, parking or other considerations of site
plan review; and further provided that all requirements of the zoning
regulations and design standards and guidelines are met. The approving
authority may waive the requirements for the notice and a public hearing
for minor site plan, at its discretion, on any application.
[Amended 7-6-2010 by Ord. No. 10-1786]
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections
A and
B above and provided compliance with the design standards and guidelines in Art.
XVII of this chapter, the Zoning Officer shall waive site plan review, provided the proposed change(s) is limited to the following:
[Amended 7-6-2010 by Ord. No. 10-1786]
(1) Changes in existing or erection of new signs on existing structures, except that the Zoning Officer may not waive site plan review for the facade or wall signs, or painted, silk-screened, illuminated or neon window or door signs for upper-story businesses as referenced in §
230-140I(8);
(4) Repair/maintenance to existing structures;
(5) Interior renovations of existing structures, including
those involving changes in tenancy or use, provided there is no increase
in parking requirements greater than two additional spaces between
the prior and proposed use.
(6) Changes in existing or erection of new awning, canopies,
marquees, shutters, siding, trim or moldings on existing structures;
(7) Other changes to the facade of an existing building,
provided the same do not alter either the amount or location of lot
coverage; and
(8) Sidewalk repair, maintenance or replacement.
D. Following the decision of the Zoning Officer, any applicant may request that the approving authority review the application pursuant to Subsection
A and
B of this section. Any such request for review shall be made within 20 days of the decision of the Zoning Officer.
No certificate of occupancy shall be given unless
all construction and development conform to the approved site plan,
as the same may have been formally revised or amended by the approving
authority.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1304]
A. The applicant shall submit to the administrative officer
at least 21 days prior to the public meeting of the approving authority
20 blue- or black-on-white copies of the minor site plan; 20 completed
copies of the standard development application form; three completed
copies of the minor site plan checklist; three copies of any protective
covenants, deed restrictions and easements applying to the land being
developed; five copies of the drainage calculations and soil erosion
and sediment control data if required; the applicable fee; and certification
by the Tax Collector that all taxes are paid to date. If the applicant
is not the owner of record of the land, then all contractual agreements
concerning its use shall be submitted.
B. If the application is found to be incomplete, the
applicant shall be notified in writing within 45 days of submission
of such application or it shall be deemed to be properly submitted.
C. Upon the submission to the administrative officer
of a complete application, the approving authority shall grant or
deny approval within 45 days of the date of such submission or within
such further time as may be consented to by the applicant. Failure
of the approving authority to act within 45 days shall be deemed approval.
D. Approval of a minor site plan hereunder shall be subject
to the procedures and rights afforded pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-46.1.
[Amended by Ord. No. 1304]
A. The applicant shall submit to the administrative officer
at least 21 days prior to the public meeting of the approving authority
20 blue- or black-on-white copies of the final site plan; 20 completed
copies of the standard development application form; three completed
copies of the final site plan checklist; the applicable fee; and certification
by the Tax Collector that all taxes are paid to date. If the applicant
is not the owner of record of the land, then all contractual agreements
concerning its use shall be submitted.
B. If the application is found to be incomplete, the
applicant shall be notified in writing within 45 days of submission
of such application or it shall be deemed to be properly submitted.
C. The approving board shall grant final approval if
the detailed drawings, specifications and estimates of the application
for final approval conform to the standards established by this chapter
for:
(2) The conditions for preliminary approval; and
(3) The standards prescribed by the Map Filing Law.
D. 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. Failure of the approving authority to act within 45 days
shall constitute final approval. Whenever review or approval of the
application by the County Planning Board is required, the approving
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 thereon within the required time period.
E. Where the final approval contains conditions, if all
conditions are not complied with within 180 days from the date of
final approval or within such additional time as the approving authority
shall allow, the final approval shall lapse.
F. Effect of final approval.
(1) The zoning requirements applicable to the preliminary
approval first granted and all other rights conferred upon the applicant,
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 periods provided herein. If the
applicant has followed the standards prescribed for final approval
and, in the case of a subdivision, has duly recorded the plat as required,
the approving board may extend such period of protection by extensions
of one year but there shall not be more than three extensions. Notwithstanding
any other provisions of this chapter, the granting of final approval
terminates the time period of preliminary approval for the section
granted final approval.
(2) In the case of a subdivision for a planned development
of 50 acres or more or major conventional subdivision or site development
plan for 150 acres or more, the approving board may grant the rights
referred to herein for such period of time, longer than two years,
as shall be determined by the approving board to be reasonable, taking
into consideration:
(a)
The number of dwelling units and nonresidential
floor area permissible under final approval;
(c)
The comprehensiveness of the development. The
applicant may apply for thereafter, and the approving board may thereafter
grant, an extension of final approval for such additional period of
time as shall be determined by the approving board to be reasonable,
taking into consideration:
[1]
The number of dwelling units and nonresidential
floor area permissible under final approval;
[2]
The number of dwelling units and nonresidential
floor area remaining to be developed;
[4]
The comprehensiveness of the development.
(3) Whenever the Planning Board grants an extension of final approval pursuant to Subsection
F(1) or
(2) of this section and final 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.
(4) The Planning 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. A 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 Planning Board from granting an extension pursuant
to Subsection D(1) or (2) of this section.