[Amended 2-18-1980 by Ord. No. 6-80]
There is hereby established pursuant to P.L. 1975, c. 291, in the Township of Washington, a Planning Board of nine members and two alternate members consisting of the following four classes:
A. 
Class I: the Mayor or his/her designee as provided in a written designation filed with the Municipal Clerk.
[Amended 12-18-2000 by Ord. No. 37-00]
B. 
Class II: one of the officials of the municipality other than a member of the governing body 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 if there are both a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and a member of the Board of Education among the Class IV members.
C. 
Class III: a member of the governing body to be appointed by it.
D. 
Class IV: eight other citizens of the municipality to be appointed by the Mayor, six to be designated as "Member," one to be designated as "Alternate Member No. 1," and one to be designated as "Alternate Member No. 2." The members and alternate members of Class IV shall hold no other municipal office, except that one member or alternate member may be a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and one may be a member of the Board of Education. A 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 or alternate member, unless there are among the Class IV 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 Planning Board. 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. 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.
A. 
The term of the member composing Class I shall correspond with his official tenure. The terms of the members composing Class II and Class III shall be for one year or terminate at the completion of their respective terms of office, whichever occurs first, except for a Class II member who is also a member of the Environmental Commission. The term of a Class II or a Class IV member or alternate member who is also a member of the Environmental Commission shall be for three years or terminate at the completion of his term of office as a member of the Environmental Commission, whichever comes first.
[Amended 2-18-1980 by Ord. No. 6-80]
B. 
The term of a Class IV member or alternate 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 occurs first.
[Amended 2-18-1980 by Ord. No. 6-80]
C. 
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 term shall be evenly distributed over the first four years after their appointment as determined by resolution of the governing body; 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 was made.
D. 
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.
[Added 2-18-1980 by Ord. No. 6-80]
[Amended 2-18-1980 by Ord. No. 6-80]
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. This subsection shall apply to members and alternate members.
The Planning Board shall elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman from the members of Class IV and select a Secretary and an Assistant Secretary who may be either a member of the Planning Board or a municipal employee designated by it.
There is hereby created the office of Planning Board Attorney. The Planning Board may annually appoint, fix the compensation of or agree upon the rate of compensation of the Planning Board Attorney who shall be an attorney other than the Municipal Attorney.
The Planning Board may also employ or contract for the services of experts and other staff and services as it may deem necessary. The Board shall not, however, exceed, exclusive of gifts or grants, the amount appropriated by the governing body for its use.
The Board shall adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions and purposes of this chapter. In the issuance of subpoenas, administration of oaths and taking of testimony, the provisions of the County and Municipal Investigations Law of 1953 (N.J.S.A. 2A:67A-1 et seq.) shall apply. It shall also have the following powers and duties:
A. 
To make, adopt and from time to time amend a Master Plan for the physical development of the municipality, including any areas outside its boundaries, which in the Board's judgment bear essential relation to the planning of the municipality, in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28.
B. 
To administer the provisions of Chapter 175, Subdivision of Land, and Chapter 159, Site Plan Review, in accordance with the provisions of said chapters and the Municipal Land Use Law, P.L. 1975, c. 291, (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.).
C. 
To approve conditional use applications in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 217, Zoning, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-67.
D. 
To participate in the preparation and review of programs or plans required by state or federal law or regulations.
E. 
To assemble data on a continuing basis as part of a continuous planning process.
F. 
To annually prepare a program of municipal capital improvement projects projected over a term of six years, and amendments thereto, and to recommend the same to the governing body.
G. 
To consider and make a report to the governing body within 35 days after referral as to any proposed development regulations submitted to it pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-26a, and also to pass upon other matters specifically referred to the Planning Board by the governing body, pursuant to the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-26b.
H. 
When reviewing applications for the approval of subdivision plats, site plans or conditional uses, to grant to the same extent and subject to the same restrictions as the Zoning Board of Adjustment:
(1) 
Variances pursuant to Subsection 57c of P.L. 1975, c. 291, (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70c) from lot area, lot dimensional, setback and yard requirements, provided that such relief from lot area requirements shall not be granted for more than one lot.
(2) 
Direction pursuant to Section 25 of said Act for the issuance of permits for buildings or structures in the bed of a mapped street or public drainageway, flood control basin or public area reserved pursuant to Section 23 of said Act.
(3) 
Direction pursuant to Section 27 of said Act for the issuance of a permit for a building or structure not related to a street.
(4) 
Whenever relief is requested pursuant to this subsection, notice of a hearing on the application for development shall include reference to the request for a variance or direction for the issuance of a permit, as the case may be.
I. 
To report on the Township Official Map pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-32.
J. 
To report on amendments to Chapter 217, Zoning, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-64.
K. 
To perform such other advisory duties as are assigned to it by ordinance or resolution of the governing body for the aid and assistance of the governing body or other agencies or officers.
A. 
Minor subdivisions. Minor subdivision approvals shall be granted or denied within 45 days of the date of submission of a complete application to the Planning Board or within such further time as may be consented to by the applicant. Approval of a minor subdivision shall expire 190 days from the date of Planning Board approval unless within such period a plat 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 developer with the county recording officer, the Municipal Engineer and the Municipal Tax Assessor. Any such plat or deed must be signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Planning Board before it will be accepted for filing by the county recording officer.
B. 
Preliminary approval of major subdivisions. Upon submission of a complete application for a subdivision of 10 or fewer lots, the Planning 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 developer. Upon submission of a complete application for a subdivision of more than 10 lots, the Planning Board 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 Planning Board shall be deemed to have granted preliminary approval for the subdivision.
C. 
Ancillary powers. Whenever the Planning Board is called upon to exercise its ancillary powers before the granting of a variance as set forth in § 111-7H, the Planning Board shall grant or deny approval of the application within 95 days after submission by the developer of a complete application or within such further time as may be consented to by the applicant. Failure of the Planning Board 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 Planning Board to act shall be issued on request of the applicant.
D. 
Final approval.
(1) 
Application for final subdivision of submission of a complete application or within such further approval shall be granted or denied within 45 days time as may be consented to by the applicant.
(2) 
Final approval of a major subdivision shall expire 95 days from the date of signing of the plat unless within such period the plat shall have been duly filed by the developer with the county recording officer. The Planning Board may, for good cause shown, extend the period for filing for an additional period not to exceed 190 days from the date of the signing of the plat.
[Amended 11-19-1984 by Ord. No. 30-84]
A. 
Applications for development within the jurisdiction of the Planning Board pursuant to the provisions of P.L. 1975, c. 291, shall be filed with the Secretary or Clerk of the Planning Board. The applicant shall file 15 copies of the plat for which review or approval is sought and four copies of the application. At the time of filing the application, the applicant shall also file all plot plans, maps or other papers required by said application, by checklists adopted by ordinance and by any of the provisions of this chapter or any rule of the Planning Board. The applicant shall obtain all necessary forms from the Secretary or Clerk of the Planning Board. The Secretary or Clerk of the Board shall inform the applicant of the steps to be taken to initiate applications and of the regular meeting dates of the Board.
B. 
The following application forms and checklists are hereby established and adopted, all as available on file in the office of the Township Clerk for public examination and acquisition:[1]
[Amended 5-18-1987 by Ord. No. 13-87; 8-21-1989 by Ord. No. 21-89; 2-19-1990 by Ord. No. 5-90]
(1) 
Subdivision Application Form, Part A - General Information, Form LS-A, Revised 4-1987.
(2) 
Subdivision Application Form, Part B - Minor Approval Checklist, Form LS-B1, Revised 10-1994.
[Amended 8-19-1991 by Ord. No. 26-91; 11-21-1994 by Ord. No. 23-94; 7-21-2003 by Ord. No. 23-03]
(3) 
Subdivision Application Form, Part B - Preliminary Approval Checklist, Form LS-B2, Revised 10-1996.
[Amended 8-19-1991 by Ord. No. 26-91; 11-21-1994 by Ord. No. 23-94; 11-18-1996 by Ord. No. 30-96; 6-17-2002 by Ord. No. 23-02; 7-21-2003 by Ord. No. 23-03; 11-15-2004 by Ord. No. 25-04]
(4) 
Subdivision Application Form, Part B - Final Approval Checklist, Form LS-B3, Revised 4-1992.
[Amended 5-18-1992 by Ord. No. 6-92; 6-17-2002 by Ord. No. 23-02; 7-21-2003 by Ord. No. 23-03; 6-21-2004 by Ord. No. 14-04]
(5) 
Subdivision Application Form, Part C - Statement on Variances/Waivers, Form LS-C, Revised 4-1989.
(6) 
Minor Site Plan Submission Checklist, Form 80-23.
(7) 
Site Plan Application Form, Part A - General Information, Form SP-A, Revised 6-1993.
[Amended 6-21-1993 by Ord. No. 15-93; 7-21-2003 by Ord. No. 23-03]
(8) 
Site Plan Application Form, Part B - Preliminary Approval Checklist, Form SP-B1, Revised 10-1996.
[Amended 8-19-1991 by Ord. No. 26-91; 11-21-1994 by Ord. No. 23-94; 11-18-1996 by Ord. No. 30-96; 7-21-2003 by Ord. No. 23-03; 11-15-2004 by Ord. No. 25-04]
(9) 
Site Plan Application Form, Part B - Final Approval Checklist, Form SP-B2, Revised 4-1992.
[Amended 5-18-1992 by Ord. No. 6-92; 6-21-2004 by Ord. No. 14-04]
(10) 
Site Plan Application Form, Part C - Statement on Variances/Waivers, Form SP-C, Revised 4-1989.
(11) 
Affidavit of Compliance (Final Site Plans), Form SP-D, Revised 4-1989.
(12) 
Affidavit of Compliance (Final Subdivisions), Form LS-D, Revised 4-1989.
(13) 
Site Plan Application Form, Part B - Minor Checklist, Form SP-B3, Revised 10-1996.
[Added 6-21-1993 by Ord. No. 15-93; amended 12-20-1993 by Ord. No. 33-93; 11-18-1996 by Ord. No. 30-96; 7-21-2003 by Ord. No. 23-03]
(14) 
Affidavit in support of request of waiver of site plan/change of use, Form WSP.
[Added 5-16-1994 by Ord. No. 7-94; amended 11-20-2006 by Ord. No. 22-06]
[1]
Editor's Note: The application forms and checklists are included at the end of this chapter.
The Mayor may appoint one or more persons as a Citizens' Advisory Committee to assist or collaborate with the Planning Board in its duties, but such person or persons shall have no power to vote or take other action required of the Board. Such person or persons shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor.
Whenever the Environmental Commission has prepared and submitted to the Planning Board an index of the natural resources of the municipality, the Planning Board shall make available to the Environmental Commission an informational copy of every application for development to the Planning Board. Failure of the Planning Board to make such informational copy available to the Environmental Commission shall not invalidate any hearing or proceeding.
[Added 8-18-1986 by Ord. No. 26-86]
The Chairman may appoint a subdivision committee to be designated as the "Minor Subdivision Committee," which may hear and determine applications for minor subdivisions. It may grant approval or conditional approval to developments which conform to the definition of "minor subdivision" in Chapter 175, Subdivision of Land, § 175-25, Sketch plats. The Committee shall consist of three Planning Board members. The Committee may have two alternate members who must be regular or alternate Planning Board members.
[Added 7-19-1993 by Ord. No. 21-93]
The Chairman may appoint a Site Plan Committee to be designated as the "Minor Site Plan Committee," which may hear and determine applications for minor site plans. It may grant approval or conditional approval to developments which conform to the definition of "minor site plan" in Chapter 175, Subdivision of Land, § 175-25, Sketch plats. The Committee shall consist of three Planning Board members. The Committee may have two alternate members who must be regular or alternate Planning Board members.