Class II: one of the officials of the Township,
other than a member of the Township Council, to be appointed by the
Mayor; provided that, if there is an Environmental Commission, the
member of the Environmental Commission who is also a member of the
Planning Board as required by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 shall be deemed to
be the Class II Planning Board member or alternate member if there
is both a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and a member of
the Board of Education among the Class IV members.
Class IV: six other citizens of the municipality,
to be appointed by the Mayor. The members of Class IV shall hold no
other municipal office, except that one member may be a member of
the Zoning Board of Adjustment and one may be a member of the Board
of Education. The member of the Environmental Commission who is also
a member of the Planning Board as required by N.J.S.A. 40:56A-1 shall
be a Class IV Planning Board member unless there be among the Class
IV or alternate members of the Planning Board both a member of the
Zoning Board of Adjustment and a member of the Board of Education,
in which case the member of the Environmental Commission shall be
deemed to be the Class II member of the Planning Board.
The Mayor may appoint up to two alternate members,
meeting the qualifications of Class IV members. Alternate members
shall be designated at the time of appointment by the Mayor as "Alternate
No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." The terms of the alternate members shall
be for two years, except that the terms of the alternate members shall
be such that the term of not more than one alternate member shall
expire in any one year; provided, however, that in no instance shall
the terms of the alternate members first appointed exceed two years.
A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be
filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired term only.
No alternate member shall be permitted to act
on any matter in which he has, either directly or indirectly, any
personal or financial interest. An alternate member may, after public
hearing if he requests one, be removed by the governing body for cause.
Alternate members may participate in discussions
of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification
of a regular member of any class. A vote shall not be delayed in order
that a regular member may vote instead of an alternate member. In
the event that a choice must be made as to which alternate member
is to vote, Alternate No. 1 shall vote.
The term of the member composing Class I shall correspond
with his official tenure. The term of the member composing Class II
shall be for one year or terminate at the completion of his term of
office as a member of the Environmental Commission, whichever comes
first.
The term of a Class IV member who is also a member
of the Board of Adjustment or the Board of Education shall terminate
whenever he is no longer a member of such other body or at the completion
of his Class IV term, whichever comes first.
The terms of all Class IV members first appointed
pursuant to this chapter shall be so determined that to the greatest
practicable extent, the expiration of such terms shall be evenly distributed
over the first four years after their appointment, as determined by
resolution of the Township Council; provided, however, that no term
of any member shall exceed four years, and further provided that nothing
herein shall affect the term of any present member of the Planning
Board, all of whom shall continue in office until the completion of
the term for which they were appointed. Thereafter, all Class IV members
shall be appointed for terms of four years except as otherwise herein
provided. All terms shall run from January 1 of the year in which
the appointment is made.
If a vacancy of any class shall occur otherwise than
by expiration of term, it shall be filled by appointment as above
provided for the unexpired term.
The Planning Board shall elect a Chairman and a Vice
Chairman from the members of Class IV and select a Secretary, who
may be either a member of the Planning Board or a municipal employee
designated by it.
Make and adopt and from time to time amend a
Master Plan for the physical development of the Township, including
any areas outside its boundaries which, in the Board's judgment, bear
essential relation to the planning of the Township.
Administer the provisions of the Land Subdivision
Ordinance and Site Plan Review Ordinance[1] of the Township in accordance with the provisions of said
ordinances.
Annually prepare a program of municipal capital
improvement projects projected over a term of six years, and amendments
thereto, and recommend same to the governing body.
Consider and make reports to the Township Council
within 35 days after referral as to any proposed development regulation
submitted to it, and also pass upon other matters specifically referred
to the Planning Board by the Township Council.
The Planning Board shall have such other powers as
prescribed by law, including but not limited to the power to grant
the following variances, to the same extent and subject to the same
restrictions as the Zoning Board of Adjustment, when the Planning
Board is reviewing applications for approval of subdivision plats,
site plans or conditional uses:
Variances, pursuant to § 190-58B(3), from lot area, lot dimensions, setback and yard requirements; provided that relief pursuant to this subsection from lot area requirements shall not be granted for more than one lot.
Direction, pursuant to § 190-58B(5), for issuance of a permit for a building or structure in the bed of a mapped street or public drainageway, flood control basin or public area.
At the request of the developer, the Planning Board
shall grant an informal review of a concept plan for a development
for which the developer intends to prepare and submit an application
for development. The developer shall not be required to submit any
fees for such an informal review. The developer shall not be bound
by any concept plan for which review is requested, and the Planning
Board shall not be bound by any such review.
A Zoning Board of Adjustment is hereby established
consisting of seven members who shall be residents of this Township
and who shall not hold any elective office or position under this
Township, each to be appointed by the Township Council to serve for
a term of four years each, except that upon adoption of this chapter,
the members of the Board of Adjustment then holding office shall continue
therein until their present terms expire, with each succeeding member
serving for four years. Any vacancy on said Board shall be filled
by appointment by the Mayor and confirmation by the Township Council
to serve for the unexpired term.
Yearly, at the first regular meeting, the Board of
Adjustment shall organize by selecting from among its members a Chairman
and Vice Chairman. The Board shall also select a Secretary, who may
or may not be a member of the Board of Adjustment.
The Township Council may appoint up to two alternate
members to the Zoning Board. Alternate members shall be designated
at the time of appointment by the authority appointing them as "Alternate
No. 1" and "Alternate No. 2." The terms of the members first appointed
shall be so determined that to the greatest practicable extent, the
expiration of such terms shall be distributed, in the case of alternate
members, evenly over the first two years after their appointment;
provided that the initial term of no alternate member shall exceed
two years. Thereafter, the term of each alternate member shall be
two years. No member may hold any elective office or position under
the municipality. No member of the Board of Adjustment shall be permitted
to act on any matter in which he has, either directly or indirectly,
any personal or financial interest. A member may, after public hearing
if he requests it, be removed by the governing body for cause. A vacancy
occurring otherwise than by expiration of term shall be filed for
the unexpired term only.
Alternate members may participate in discussions
of the proceedings but may not vote except in the absence or disqualification
of a regular member. A vote shall not be delayed in order that a regular
member may vote instead of an alternate member. In the event that
a choice must be made as to which alternate member is to vote, Alternate
No. 1 shall vote.
Powers and jurisdiction of Board of Adjustment. No
variance or other relief may be granted under the terms of this section
unless such variance or other relief can be granted without substantial
detriment to the public good and will not substantially impair the
intent and purpose of the zone plan and this chapter. The Board of
Adjustment shall have the power to:
Error or refusal. Hear and decide appeals where it
is alleged by the appellant that there is error in any order, requirement,
decisions or refusal made by an administrative officer based on or
made in the enforcement of this chapter.
Exceptions or interpretations. Hear and decide, in
accordance with the provisions of this chapter, requests for interpretation
of the Zoning Map or Ordinance or for decisions upon other special
questions upon which the Zoning Board is authorized to pass by any
Zoning or Official Map Ordinance.
Any municipal variance approval which grants
relief from the density or lot area requirements set forth in the
Schedules of Area and Yard Requirements for the R-60, R-80, R-96,
R-200, R-1, R-I, R-A or MH Districts, or for the Regional Growth Area
portion of the R-3 District, shall require that Pinelands development
credits be used for all dwelling units or lots in excess of that permitted
without the variance.
Any municipal variance or other approval for
the development of a residential use in the TC, HD or GI Districts,
or Regional Growth Area portion of the GCLI District, shall require
that Pinelands development credits be used for 50% of the authorized
units for parcels under 10 acres in size; for 75% of the authorized
units for parcels between 10 and 20 acres in size; and for 100% of
the authorized units for parcels over 20 acres in size.
Any municipal variance or other approval for
the development of a nonresidential use not otherwise permitted in
the R-I or R-A Districts shall require that Pinelands development
credits be used at 50% of the maximum rate permitted for Pinelands
development credit use in the zone in which the nonresidential use
will be located for parcels under 10 acres in size; at 75% of the
maximum rate for parcels between 10 and 20 acres in size; and at 100%
of the maximum rate for parcels over 20 acres in size. This requirement
shall not apply to a variance or other approval which authorizes the
expansion of or changes to existing nonresidential uses in accordance
with N.J.A.C. 7:50-5.2.
Any municipal variance or other approval which
grants relief from the density or lot area requirements set forth
in the Schedule of Area and Yard Requirements for a residential or
principal nonresidential use in the PV District shall require that
Pinelands development credits be used for all dwelling units or lots
in excess of that permitted without the variance.
Use of structure. In particular cases and for special
reasons, grant a variance to allow a departure from regulations of
this chapter, allowing a structure or use in a district restricted
against such structure or use, but only by affirmative vote of at
least five members.
Direct issuance of a construction permit for the construction
of a building or structure within the bed of a mapped street or public
drainageway, flood control basin or public area as shown on a duly
adopted Official Map Ordinance of the municipality whenever one or
more parcels of land within said bed cannot yield a reasonable return
to the owner unless a construction permit is granted. The Board may
grant such relief only by an affirmative vote of a majority of the
full authorized membership of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, ensuring
that such relief will tend to cause a minimum change in the Official
Map Ordinance and will not significantly add to the cost of opening
any proposed streets. The Board shall impose reasonable requirements
as a condition of granting the construction permit so as to promote
the health, morals, safety and general welfare of the public.
Direct issuance of a construction permit for the construction
of a building or structure on a lot not abutting a street which is
shown on a duly adopted Official Map Ordinance of the municipality
or which is an existing state, county or municipal street or highway
or a street shown upon a plat approved by the Municipal Planning Board
or a street on a plat duly filed in the office of the county recording
officer. The Board may grant such relief only where the enforcement
of the statutory requirement that a building lot abut a street would
entail practical difficulty or unnecessary hardship or where the circumstances
of the case do not require the building or structure to abut a street.
The Board shall impose requirements or conditions that will provide
adequate access for fire-fighting equipment, ambulances and other
emergency vehicles necessary for the protection of the health and
safety and will protect any future street layout shown on the Official
Map Ordinance or on the general circulation plan element of the Municipal
Master Plan.
Zoning Board in lieu of Planning Board. Whenever the proposed development requires approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustment of a use variance pursuant to Subsection B(4), the Board of Adjustment shall have the power to grant, to the same extent and subject to the same restrictions as the Planning Board, subdivision or site plan approval pursuant to § 190-45 or conditional use approval pursuant to § 190-56 whenever the Board of Adjustment is reviewing applications for approval pursuant to Article VII.
Appeals to the Board of Adjustment may be taken
by any interested party affected by any decision of the Construction
Official of the municipality based on or made in the enforcement of
the Zoning Ordinance or Official Map. Such appeal shall be taken within
20 days by filing a notice of appeal with the officer from whom the
appeal is taken, specifying the grounds of such appeal. The officer
from whom the appeal is taken shall immediately transmit to the Board
all the papers constituting the record upon which the action appealed
from was taken.
A developer may file an application for development
with the Board of Adjustment for action under any of its powers without
prior application to the Construction Official.
The Board of Adjustment shall render a decision
not later than 120 days after the date an appeal is taken from the
decision of the Construction Official or after the date of the submission
of a complete application for development to the Board of Adjustment.
Failure of the Board to render a decision within
such one-hundred-twenty-day period or within such further time as
may be consented to by the applicant shall constitute a decision favorable
to the applicant.
The Board of Adjustment may reverse or affirm,
wholly or in part, or may modify the action, order, requirement, decision,
interpretation or determination appealed from, and to that end have
all the powers of the Construction Official from whom the appeal is
taken.
An appeal to the Board of Adjustment shall stay
all proceedings in furtherance of the action in respect to which the
decision appealed from was made, unless the officer from whose action
the appeal is taken certifies to the Board of Adjustment, after the
notice of appeal shall have been filed with him, that by reason of
facts stated in the certificate a stay would, in his opinion, cause
imminent peril to life or property. In such case, proceedings shall
not be stayed other than by an order of the Superior Court upon notice
to the officer from whom the appeal is taken and on due cause shown.
Unless otherwise specified by the Zoning Board,
a variance granted by the Zoning Board shall expire and become null
and void two years from the grant by the Zoning Board, unless within
said period the applicant obtains a construction permit or otherwise
avails himself of said grant or approval. The Zoning Board, upon application
and within said period, may extend said period for one year, but not
to exceed three extensions.
The Board of Adjustment shall have the power to grant, to the same extent and subject to the same restrictions as the Planning Board, subdivision, site plan approval or conditional use approval whenever the Board of Adjustment is reviewing an application for approval of a use variance pursuant to Subsection B of this section (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-76). The developer may elect to submit a separate application requesting approval of the variance and a subsequent application for any required approval of a subdivision, site plan or conditional use. The separate approval of the variance shall be conditioned upon grant of all required subsequent approvals by the Board of Adjustment. No such subsequent approval shall be granted unless such approval can be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without substantial impairment of the intent and purpose of the zone plan and Zoning Ordinance.
Whenever an application for development requests
relief pursuant to this section, the Board of Adjustment shall grant
or deny approval of the application within 120 days after submission
by a developer of a complete application to the administrative officer
or within such further time as may be consented to by the applicant.
In the event that the developer elects to submit separate consecutive
applications, the aforesaid provisions shall apply to the application
for approval of the variance. The period for granting or denying any
subsequent approval shall be as otherwise required by this chapter.
Failure of the Board of Adjustment to act within the period prescribed
shall constitute approval of the application, and a certificate of
the administrative officer as to the failure of the Board of Adjustment
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.
Applicants seeking simultaneous approvals under this section shall follow the procedures and details outlined under § 190-45 and, if applicable, the details required in the Land Subdivision Ordinance.[1]
Upon receiving the completed applications and
site plan, the Secretary of the Board of Adjustment shall immediately
forward a copy to the Secretary of the Planning Board. The Planning
Board shall thereupon review the application. The Planning Board or
its designated representative may make recommendations to the Board
of Adjustment at the public hearing on the application. Such recommendations
may contain, among other things, the Planning Board's opinion as to
whether or not the proposed use will be compatible with the Master
Plan and whether or not the proposed uses will adversely affect the
overall zoning plan.
Conflicts of interest. No member of the Planning Board
or Zoning Board of Adjustment shall act on any matter in which he
has, either directly or indirectly, any personal or financial interest.
Whenever any such member shall disqualify himself from acting on a
particular matter, he shall not continue to sit with the Board on
the hearing of such matter nor participate in any discussion or decision
relating thereto.
Meetings of both the Planning Board and Zoning Board
of Adjustment shall be scheduled no less often than once a month,
and any meeting so scheduled shall be held as scheduled unless canceled
for lack of applications for development to process.
Special meetings may be provided for at the call of
the Chairman or on the request of any two Board members, which shall
be held on notice to its members and the public in accordance with
all applicable legal requirements.
All regular meetings and all special meetings shall
be open to the public. Notice of all such meetings shall be given
in accordance with the requirements of the Open Public Meeting Law,
Chapter 231, Laws of New Jersey 1975.[1] An executive session for the purpose of discussing and
studying any matters to come before either Board shall not be deemed
a regular or special meeting in accordance with the provisions of
N.J.S.A. 40:55D-9.
Minutes of every regular or special meeting shall
be kept and shall include the names of the persons appearing and addressing
the Planning or Zoning Board and of the persons appearing by attorney,
the action taken by the Planning or Zoning Board, the findings, if
any, made by it and reasons therefor. The minutes shall thereafter
be made available for public inspection during normal business hours
at the office of the Township Clerk. Any interested party shall have
the right to compel production of the minutes for use as evidence
in any legal proceedings concerning the subject matter of such minutes.
A verbatim recording shall be made of every hearing on an application required under Subsection D. The recording of the proceedings shall be made by either stenographer, mechanical or electronic means. The Planning Board, Zoning Board or Township Council shall furnish a transcript or duplicate recording in lieu thereof on request to any interested party for a fee of $0.50 per page up to $50. The transcript shall be certified in writing by the transcriber to be accurate.
[Amended 5-2-1980 by Ord. No. 12-1980; 3-16-2022 by Ord. No. 8-2022]
Each decision on any application for development
shall be reduced to writing as provided in this subsection and shall
include findings of facts and conclusions based thereon.
Failure of a motion to approve an application
for development to receive the number of votes required for approval
shall be deemed an action denying the application.
The municipal agency may provide such written
decision and findings and conclusions either on the date of the meeting
at which the municipal agency takes to grant or deny approval or,
if the meeting at which such action is taken occurs within the final
45 days of the applicable time period for rendering a decision on
the application for development, within 45 days of such meeting by
the adoption of a resolution of memorialization setting forth the
decision and the findings and conclusions of the municipal agency
thereon. An action resulting from the failure of a motion to approve
an application shall be memorialized by resolution as provided above,
notwithstanding the time at which such action occurs within the applicable
time period for rendering a decision on the application.
The adoption of a resolution of memorialization
pursuant to this subsection shall not be construed to alter the applicable
time period for rendering a decision on the application for development.
Such resolution shall be adopted by a vote of a majority of the members
of the municipal agency who voted for the action previously taken,
and no other member shall vote thereon. The vote on such resolution
shall be deemed to be a memorialization of an action of the municipal
agency and not to be an action of the municipal agency, except that
failure to adopt such a resolution within the forty-five-day period
shall result in the approval of the application for development notwithstanding
any prior action taken thereon.
Whenever a resolution of memorialization is
adopted in accordance with this subsection, the date of such adoption
shall constitute the date of the decision for purposes of the mailings,
filings and publications required by law.
The Planning Board or Zoning Board, as the case may
be, shall hold a hearing on each application for a request for site
plan or subdivision approval, zoning variance, conditional use or
direction for the issuance of a permit.
The Planning or Zoning Board shall make the rules
governing such hearings. Any maps and documents for which approval
is sought at a hearing shall be on file and available for public inspection
at least 10 days before the date of the hearing, during normal business
hours in the office of the Construction Official. The applicant may
produce other documents, records or testimony at the hearing to substantiate
or clarify or supplement the previously filed maps and documents.
The Chairman presiding at the hearing (or such person
as he may designate) shall have power to administer oaths and issue
subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production
of relevant evidence, including witnesses and documents presented
by the parties, and the provisions of the County and Municipal Investigations
Law, P.L. 1953, c. 38 (N.J.S.A. 2A:67A-1.35 et seq.), shall apply.
The testimony of all witnesses relating to an application
shall be taken under oath or affirmation by the Chairman, and the
right of cross-examination shall be permitted to all interested parties
through their attorneys, if represented, or directly, if not represented,
subject to the discretion of the presiding officer and to reasonable
limitations as to time and number of witnesses.
The Pinelands Commission may participate in a hearing
held by the Township involving the development of land in the Pinelands
Area pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:50-4.36.
[Added 8-6-1982 by Ord. No. 16-1982;
amended 4-6-1989 by Ord. No. 11-1989]
Technical rules of evidence shall not be applicable
to the hearing, but the Planning or Zoning Board may exclude irrelevant,
immaterial or unduly repetitious evidence.
A member of a municipal agency who was absent for
one or more of the meetings at which a hearing was held shall be eligible
to vote on the matter upon which the hearing was conducted, notwithstanding
his absence from one or more of the meetings: provided, however, that
such Board member has available to him the transcript or recording
of all of the hearing from which he was absent and certifies in writing
to the Board that he has read such transcript or listened to such
recording.
A request for a variance (§ 190-57 or 190-58), conditional use approval (§ 190-56 or 190-58) or the direction for the issuance of a permit (§ 190-57 or 190-58).
Each application to or matter to be heard by
the Zoning Board of Adjustment shall meet the notice and service requirements
of the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-12 et seq., and the
hearing requirements of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-10.
The Secretary of the Planning Board or Zoning Board, as the case may be, shall notify the applicant at least two weeks prior to the public hearing at which the application will be discussed. Notice of a hearing requiring public notice pursuant to Subsection E(1) above shall be given as follows at least 10 days prior to the date of the hearing:
To the owners of all real property as shown
on the current tax duplicate, located in the state and within 200
feet in all directions of the property which is the subject of such
hearing; provided that this requirement shall be deemed satisfied
by notice to the condominium association in the case of any unit owner
whose unit has a unit above or below it, or to the horizontal property
regime in the case of any co-owner whose apartment has an apartment
above or below it. Notice shall be given by serving a copy thereof
on the property owner as shown on the said current tax duplicate,
or his agent in charge of the property, or by mailing a copy thereof
by certified mail to the property owner at his address as shown on
the said current tax duplicate.
[Amended 5-30-1979 by Ord. No. 8-1979; 5-2-1980 by Ord. No.
12-1980]
Notice to a partnership owner may be made by
service upon any partner. Notice to a corporate owner may be made
by service upon its president, a vice president, secretary or other
person authorized by appointment or by law to accept service on behalf
of the corporation. Notice to a condominium association, horizontal
property regime, community trust or homeowners' association, because
of its ownership of common elements or areas located within 200 feet
of the property which is the subject of the hearing, may be made in
the same manner as to a corporation without further notice to unit
owners, co-owners or homeowners on account of such common elements
or areas.
To the Clerk of any adjoining municipality or
municipalities and to the County Planning Board when the property
involved is located within 200 feet of said adjoining municipality
or municipalities, which notice shall be given by personal service
or certified mail.
To the County Planning Board when the application
for development involves property adjacent to an existing county road
or proposed road shown on the Official County Map or County Master
Plan or adjoining other county land.
To the Director of the Division of State and
Regional Planning in the Department of Community Affairs when the
hearing involves an application for development of property which
exceeds 150 acres or 500 dwelling units, in which case the notice
shall include a copy of any maps or documents required to be on file
with the Municipal Clerk pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-10b.
Upon the written request of an applicant, the
Township Clerk shall make and certify a list from said current tax
duplicates of names and addresses of owners to whom the applicant
is required to give notice. The applicant shall be entitled to rely
upon the information contained in such list, and failure to give notice
to any owner not on the list shall not invalidate any hearing or proceeding.
Contents of notice. The notice shall state the date,
time and place of the hearing and the nature of the matters to be
considered, and an identification of the property proposed for development
by street address, if any, or by reference to lot and block numbers
as shown on the current tax duplicate in the Township Tax Assessor's
office, and the location and times at which any maps or documents
for which approval is sought are available for inspection.
Any decision of the Planning Board or Zoning Board
when acting on an application for subdivision or site plan approval,
variance or conditional use requires notice. Notice shall be given
in the following ways:
A copy of the decision shall be mailed to the
applicant or his attorney within 10 days of the date of the decision
without charge, and likewise a copy of the decision shall be mailed
to all persons who have requested that a copy of the decision be sent
to them.
A notice of the decision shall be published
in the official newspaper of the municipality, if there is one, or
in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. The publication
of such notice shall be arranged for by the Secretary of the Planning
Board or Secretary of the Zoning Board, depending upon which agency
makes the decision.
Requirements within the Pinelands Area. Within the Pinelands Area, in addition to the procedures set forth in this section, site plan applications, reviews and approvals shall adhere to the requirements of § 190-66.
[Added 8-6-1982 by Ord. No. 16-1982;
amended 5-6-1983 by Ord. No. 7-1983]
Any interested party may appeal to the Township Council any final decision of the Board of Adjustment approving an application for development pursuant to § 190-58B(4) (use or structure variance) of this chapter (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70).
Such appeal shall be made within 10 days of the publication
of such final decision. The appeal to the Township shall be made by
serving the Township Clerk, in person or by certified mail, with a
notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof and the name and address
of the appellant and name and address of his attorney, if represented.
Such appeal shall be decided by the Township Council only upon the
record established before the Board of Adjustment.
Notice of the meeting to review the record below shall be given by the Township Council by personal service or certified mail to the appellant and to the Zoning Board at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The parties may submit oral and written argument on the record at such meeting, and the governing body shall provide for verbatim recording and transcripts of such meeting pursuant to § 190-59C.
The appellant shall, within five days of service of
the notice, arrange for a transcript pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-10
for use by the Township Council and pay an initial deposit of $50
or the estimated cost of transcription, whichever is less, or, within
35 days, submit a transcript otherwise arranged to the Municipal Clerk;
otherwise the appeal may be dismissed. The applicant shall be solely
responsible for the cost of a transcript, the balance of which shall
be payable to the Township within 10 days of receipt of the transcript.
The Township Council shall conclude a review of the record below not
later than 95 days from the date of publication of notice of the decision
below unless the applicant consents in writing to an extention of
such period. Failure of the governing body to hold a hearing and conclude
a review of the record below and to render a decision within such
specified period shall constitute a decision affirming the action
of the Board.
[Amended 5-2-1980 by Ord. No. 12-1980; 3-16-2022 by Ord. No. 8-2022; 4-19-2023 by Ord. No. 19-2023]
The Township Council may reverse, remand or affirm,
wholly or in part, or may modify the final decision of the Zoning
Board. The affirmative vote of a majority of the full authorized membership
of the governing body shall be necessary to reverse, remand or modify
and final action by either Board.
An appeal to the Township Council shall stay all proceedings
in furtherance of the action in respect to which the decision appealed
from was made unless the Zoning Board certifies to the Township Council,
after the notice of appeal shall have been filed with the Zoning Board,
that by reason of facts stated in the certificate a stay would, in
its opinion, cause imminent peril to life or property. In such case,
proceedings shall not be stayed other than by an order of the Superior
Court on application, upon notice to the Zoning Board and on good
cause shown.
The Township Council shall mail a copy of the decision
to the appellant, or, if represented, then to his attorney, without
separate charge, and for a reasonable charge to any interested party
who has requested it, not later than 10 days after the date of the
decision. A brief notice of the decision shall be published in the
official newspaper of the Township. Such publication shall be arranged
by the Township Clerk; provided that nothing contained herein shall
be construed as preventing the applicant from arranging such publication
if he so desires. The period of time in which an appeal to a court
of competent jurisdiction may be made shall run from the first publication,
whether arranged by the Township or the applicant.