[Added 1-23-1996 by Ord. No. 96-4]
In 1990, City Council created a special improvement district and designated a district management corporation in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:56-65 et seq. The Vineland Downtown Improvement District, as it is called, was created in an effort to preserve and enhance the function and appearance of the traditional business core of the City. Recognizing the importance of appearance to the economic vitality of the area, it is the purpose of this article to establish the regulatory framework by which the Vineland Downtown Improvement District will participate in the development approval process, as allowed by N.J.S.A. 40:56-71.
The Vineland Downtown Improvement District Area, which shall encompass the special improvement district as described in Ordinance No. 90-99, as amended, is hereby established as an overlay area, as shown on the City of Vineland Zoning Map.[1] The intent of this delineation is to require that any application for development, including all applications to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment in addition to applications for zoning or construction permits, for properties within the district be referred to the District Management Corporation for comment and/or approval, whichever the case may be.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Zoning Map is located at the end of this volume.
The Vineland Downtown Improvement District shall develop aesthetic design criteria, not otherwise provided for in this chapter, related to the construction or alteration of building and structure facades within the district, including signage. These aesthetic design criteria must be approved by the Planning Board prior to recommendation being made to City Council for incorporation into a regulatory ordinance for the Vineland Downtown Improvement District. Said ordinance, which will grant regulatory authority to the District Management Corporation, should also include application and administrative procedures related to the development approval process. Said ordinance shall also allow that the District Management Corporation be advisory to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment regarding other applications within the Vineland Downtown Improvement District Area not involving the construction or alteration of building and structure facades or signage. In this advisory capacity, the District Management Corporation shall adhere to scheduling established by the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment.
No application to the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment related to the construction or alteration of building and structure facades within the district, including signage, shall be deemed complete until approved by the District Management Corporation. In the event that no Board approval is required, no zoning or construction permit shall be issued related to the construction or alteration of building and structure facades within the district, including signage, until approved by the District Management Corporation.
Individual determinations of the District Management Corporation related to construction or alteration of building and structure facades within the district, including signage, may be appealed to the Planning Board within 10 days of the District Management Corporation's official action. To initiate an appeal, an applicant shall submit a written request specifying the grounds for the appeal, along with one complete copy of the application submitted to the Vineland Downtown Improvement District, one copy of the District Management Corporation's official action and a processing fee of $75 to the Secretary of the Planning Board. The Planning Board shall review the written record, accepting no further testimony, and shall decide on the appeal within 95 days of the District Management Corporation's official action. A resolution documenting the decision of the Planning Board shall be sent to the applicant, the Zoning Officer and the Vineland Downtown Improvement District within 10 days of the date of the decision.
This article shall not take effect until the Vineland Downtown Improvement District Ordinance, as described in § 425-326, is enacted. This article shall remain in effect until the expiration of the Vineland Downtown Improvement District, unless otherwise amended or repealed by City Council.