A citizens advisory committee, to be known as the "Design Review Committee," is hereby established for the purpose of assisting the Planning Board in its duties hereunder, but without power to take official action required of the Planning Board.
The Design Review Committee is intended to promote the health, safety and general welfare of the Township of Montville by:
A. 
Promoting good quality of design and attractive appearance of property.
B. 
Preserving and enhancing natural features and the natural environment.
C. 
Contributing to the amenities and attractiveness of an area so as to maintain and improve the economic value and stability of property.
D. 
Encouraging the most appropriate use and development of the property and adjacent properties.
[Amended 2-8-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-02]
The Design Review Committee shall consist of seven regular members and two alternate members who shall be appointed and serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. Insofar as practicable, the membership of said Committee shall consist of registered architects, landscape architects, professional planners or persons with similar professional training or experience. The Planning Board shall have the right to designate one of its Class IV members to provide liaison between the Committee and the Board, and such designee and the Zoning Officer and the Township Engineer shall have the right to attend the meetings of said Committee and to participate in its deliberations but not the right to vote on Committee actions.
A. 
Any site plan involving a new building, addition to an existing building or change in the exterior design or appearance of an existing building, an application for a fence or wall as provided in § 230-159 and any application for a sign permit as provided in Article XXVII may be referred to the Design Review Committee for review and recommendation.
B. 
The Design Review Committee shall render a written report with suggested recommendations to the Planning Board, or the Subdivision and Site Plan Committee, if appropriate, within 30 days of receipt of the site plan. In making its report, the Design Review Committee shall utilize the design standards set forth in § 230-79 of this chapter.
C. 
The applicant or his/her representative may appear before the Planning Board and be heard with respect to the submission. The Planning Board may also authorize the applicant to meet with the Design Review Committee.
D. 
After the completion of its review, the Planning Board shall approve or disapprove the submission, stating its findings and the reasons for its action. Approval may be conditioned upon the applicant's adoption of specified changes in submission. A copy of the Board's findings and official action shall be given to the applicant.
E. 
Whenever a site plan requires approval by the Board of Adjustment, the same procedures set forth in this section shall be followed by the Design Review Committee and the Board of Adjustment. If necessary, a member of the Design Review Committee shall appear before the Board of Adjustment to testify as to the design review report.