As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
CONDITIONAL USE
A use permitted in a particular zoning district only upon
a showing that such use in a specified location will comply with the
conditions and standards for the location or operation of such use
as contained in this chapter and upon the issuance of an authorization
therefor by the Planning Board.
MINOR SITE PLAN
A development plan of one or more lots which does not propose the new construction of or any addition to a structure or building which will result in the building coverage of a property involved to be in excess of 5,000 square feet; or does not require a land area in excess of 10,000 square feet to be disturbed by construction; or does not involve planned development; or any new street or extension of any off-tract improvements which is to be prorated pursuant to §
175-124 of this chapter (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-42); and contains the information reasonably required in order to make an informed determination whether the requirements established by this chapter for the approval of a minor site plan have been met.
MINOR SUBDIVISION
A subdivision of land for the creation of an aggregate of not more than four lots (three new lots plus the remaining lot), provided that such subdivision does not involve a planned development, any new streets or the extension of any off-tract improvements, the cost of which is to be prorated pursuant to §
175-124 of this chapter (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-42); and not being a further division of an original tract of land for which previous minor subdivision(s) have been approved by any Board within the five years past and where the combination of the proposed and approved "minor subdivisions" constitute a major subdivision; and not being deficient in those details and specifications required herein of a "minor subdivision." Any readjustment of lot lines resulting in no new lots shall be classified as a minor subdivision.
SITE PLAN
A development plan of one or more lots on which is shown:
A.
The existing and proposed conditions of the
lot, including but not necessarily limited to topography, vegetation,
drainage, floodplains, marshes and waterways.
B.
The location of all existing and proposed buildings,
drives, parking spaces, walkways, means of ingress and egress, drainage
facilities, utility services, landscaping, structures and signs, lighting
and screening devices.
C.
Any other information that may be reasonably
required in order to make an informed determination pursuant to this
chapter.
SUBDIVISION
The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land into two or
more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land for sale or
development. The following shall not be considered "subdivisions"
within the meaning of this chapter if no new streets are created:
divisions of land found by the Planning Board to be for agricultural
purposes where all resulting parcels are five acres or larger in size;
divisions of property by testamentary or intestate provisions; divisions
of property upon court order, including but not limited to judgments
of foreclosure; consolidation of existing lots by deed or other recorded
instrument; and the conveyance of one or more adjoining lots, tracts
or parcels of land, owned by the same person or persons and all of
which are found and certified by the administrative officer to conform
to the requirements of this chapter and are shown and designated as
separate lots, tracts or parcels on the Tax Map or Atlas of the Township.
The term "subdivision" shall also include the term "resubdivision."
[Amended 5-21-1990 by Ord. No. O-11-90; 10-13-1998 by Ord. No. O-38-98; 2-8-2000 by Ord. No. O-2-2000; 7-25-2000 by Ord. No. O-26-2000; 9-23-2003 by Ord. No.
O-46-2003; 5-10-2011 by Ord. No. O:13-2011; 5-22-2012 by Ord. No. O:14-2012; 9-26-2016 by Ord. No. O:27-2016; 2-26-2018 by Ord. No. O:02-2018]
A. Site plan review and approval shall be required before any new business
is commenced at a property, all or any portion of the type of business
or businesses changes at a property, change of use (primary or ancillary)
at a property, adding any use (primary or ancillary) at a property
or change of occupancy at a property, any construction, reconstruction,
reduction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation, rehabilitation
or enlargement of any building or any other structure at any property,
any mining, excavation, removal of soil, clearing of a site or placing
of any fill on property contemplated for development. Except as hereinafter
provided, no building permit or zoning permit shall be issued in connection
with any of the aforementioned matters unless and until site plan
approval is granted or waived by the reviewing board. No certificate
of occupancy shall be given unless all construction and development
fully conform to the plans as approved by the reviewing board.
B. Exemptions.
(1) Site plan review and approval shall not be required for:
(a)
Building permits for individual lot applications involving only
a detached one- or two-dwelling-unit building.
(b)
Accessory uses such as a private garage, unless it is part of
an apartment or townhouse project.
(c)
A sign for an existing use or structure which meets all applicable
zoning requirements as determined by the Zoning Officer.
(d)
Other building incidental to residential or agricultural land
use, provided that the proposed use is not a roadside stand.
(e)
In connection with the alteration or repair of an existing building
or use which is not either a detached one- or two-dwelling building
or agricultural use when the Zoning Officer determines that said alterations
or repair:
[1]
Will not result in additional lot coverage.
[2]
Will conform to the maximum and minimum building standards set
forth in the Zoning Ordinance.
[3]
Will not increase the number of required off-street parking
or loading spaces.
[4]
Is not proposed in connection with a use requiring conditional
use approval by the Planning Board.
(f)
All municipal structures defined in §
175-11 shall be exempt from this section. Any and all plans submitted for the alteration, repair or construction of a new facility shall be reviewed by the Planning Board to determine that said structures are in conformance with all of the requirements set forth in Chapter
175.
(g)
The reviewing board may waive site plan approval requirements,
and an application for development to co-locate wireless communications
equipment on a wireless communications support structure or in an
existing equipment compound shall not be subject to site plan review,
whenever it determines that the application meets the following requirements:
[1]
The wireless communications support structure shall have been
previously granted all necessary approvals by the appropriate approving
authority;
[2]
The proposed co-location shall not increase:
[a] The overall height of the wireless communications
support structure by more than 10% of the original height of the wireless
communications support structure;
[b] The width of the wireless communications support
structure; or
[c] The square footage of the existing equipment compound
to an area greater than 2,500 square feet;
[3]
The proposed co-location complies with the final approval of
the wireless communications support structure and all conditions attached
thereto and does not create a condition for which variance relief
would be required pursuant to P.L. 1975, c. 291 (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1
et seq.), or any other applicable law, rule or regulation.
[4]
Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
CO-LOCATE
To place or install wireless communications equipment on
a wireless communications support structure.
EQUIPMENT COMPOUND
An area surrounding or adjacent to the base of a wireless
communications support structure within which is located wireless
communications equipment.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
The set of equipment and network components used in the provision
of wireless communications services, including, but not limited to,
antennas, transmitters, receivers, base stations, equipment shelters,
cabinets, emergency generators, power supply cabling, and coaxial
and fiber optic cable, but excluding wireless communications support
structures.
WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS SUPPORT STRUCTURE
A structure that is designed to support, or is capable of
supporting, wireless communications equipment, including a monopole,
self-supporting lattice tower, guyed tower, water tower, utility pole,
or building.
[5]
In the event that an application for development to co-locate wireless communications equipment on a wireless communications support structure or in an existing equipment compound cannot satisfy the exemption requirements of this section, the application shall be subject to site plan review and shall be required to meet the requirements of §
175-151.1.
(2) This shall not limit the requirements for submission and approval
of subdivision plats as otherwise required by this chapter.
C. If an applicant's proposal requires site plan review and approval under §
175-54A above, an applicant shall be entitled to apply for a site plan waiver. In connection with any application made for a site plan waiver, the reviewing board shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion (but not the obligation), to waive the site plan review and approval requirements and to grant a site plan waiver whenever it determines that an applicant's proposal, which otherwise would require site plan review and approval under §
175-54A above, is a modest change, as determined by the reviewing board in its sole and absolute discretion, and is satisfactory to the reviewing board in its sole and absolute discretion. Any applicant desiring a site plan waiver under this provision shall present sufficient evidence to the reviewing board to reach such conclusions as would permit a site plan waiver. This evidence shall consist of any reasonable requests for information or documentation as the reviewing board may require. In connection with any site plan waiver hearing, the reviewing board may consider, and may condition the approval of any site plan waiver upon, matters which are generally considered during a site plan review, including, but not limited to, issues related to landscaping, parking, circulation, traffic, lighting, vegetation, signage, safety, utility services and buffering. The reviewing board may also elect to condition the approval of any site plan waiver upon the applicant furnishing an additional escrow with the reviewing board of not more than $1,000 in connection with the review and involvement by the Township's zoning officer and/or board's planner with any conditions of approval such as, but not limited to, conditions related to landscaping. The reviewing board may also elect to condition the approval of any site plan waiver upon the applicant entering into a developer's agreement with the Township as set forth in §
175-55 below. To the extent that an applicant's waiver of site plan application is denied by a reviewing board, such applicant shall be entitled to subsequently apply to such reviewing board for site plan review and approval in connection with the same proposal.
D. Approval of subdivision plats by resolution of the Planning Board
shall be required as a condition for the filing of such plats with
the county recording officer.
E. The zoning provisions of this chapter provide for conditional uses
which shall be granted by the Planning Board according to definite
specifications and standards as set forth clearly by ordinance. The
Planning Board shall have the power to review and approve or deny
conditional uses or site plans simultaneously with a review for subdivision
approval without the applicant being required to hold further hearings.
The longest time period for action by the Board, whether it be for
subdivision, conditional use or site plan approval, shall apply. Whenever
approval of a conditional use is requested by the applicant in conjunction
with a site plan or subdivision, notice of the hearing on the plat
shall include reference to the request for such conditional use.
F. The Planning Board when acting upon applications for preliminary or minor subdivision or preliminary site plan approval shall have the power to grant such exceptions from the requirements of Article
XIII, Design, Performance and Evaluation Standards, for subdivision approval or site plan as may be reasonable and within the general purpose and intent of the provisions for subdivision or site plan review and approval of this chapter, 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.
G. The Zoning 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 or conditional use approval pursuant to this section whenever the proposed development requires approval by the Zoning Board of Adjustment of a variance pursuant to §
175-30A(4) of this chapter. 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 Zoning 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. The number of votes of Board members required to grant any such subsequent approval shall be as otherwise provided in this chapter for the approval in question, and the special vote pursuant to the provisions of §
175-30A(4) shall not be required.
H. The Planning Board may authorize a deviation from the final plan
if caused by a change of conditions beyond the control of the developer
since the date of final approval and if the deviation would not substantially
alter the character of the development or substantially impair the
intent and purpose of the Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance.
I. No zoning permit or building permit shall be issued for minor or major subdivisions prior to the filing of the approved plots or deeds with the county recording officer. No zoning permit or building permit shall be issued for minor or major site plans prior to the signing of the final plans by the Planning Board Chairman and Planning Board Secretary. No building permits shall be issued for any development prior to the completion and acceptance by the Township Engineer of all required off-tract improvements. In no case shall a zoning permit or building permit be issued subsequent to the expiration date of final subdivision or site plan approval as prescribed in §§
175-83 through
175-87.
[Added 10-23-2001 by Ord. No. O-31-2001; amended 4-28-2009 by Ord. No.
O:14-2009; 2-26-2018 by Ord. No. O:02-2018]
A. Unless waived by the reviewing board, every applicant shall enter
into an agreement with the Township upon receiving final major subdivision
approval, final major site plan approval, minor subdivision approval,
minor site plan approval and/or waiver of site plan approval from
the Planning Board or Zoning Board (a "developer's agreement"). Such
developer's agreement shall relate to, but not be limited to, such
items as improvements to be installed by the developer, maintenance
and repairs, inspections, conditions of approval, types of guaranties
required from the applicant, phasing of the development and establishing
homeowners' association fees, complete with supporting documentation
to substantiate said fees, where applicable. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary herein, the reviewing board upon granting an approval
shall have the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to waive
the requirement that an applicant shall enter into a developer's agreement
with the Township.
C. The developer's agreement shall be recorded by the applicant, and
a recorded copy of same, stamped by the County Clerk indicating the
date of submission to the Clerk for recording, shall be delivered
to the Township Clerk prior to the approved plans being signed by
the Clerk.
D. If the applicant fails to fulfill any of the obligations set forth
in the developer's agreement within the time frames described therein,
the Township shall have all remedies available to it under law and
in equity, including, but not limited to, stopping work related to
the development and enforcing its rights under any performance guarantees
established pursuant to this chapter and/or the developer's agreement.
E. The Township Zoning Officer and/or Township Engineer shall monitor
compliance by the development with the developer's agreement and shall
keep the Township informed of any breaches that occur and are not
cured as provided in the developer's agreement.
F. The obligations of the applicant provided for in the developer's
agreement shall be binding on the successors and assigns of the applicant
and shall run with the land unless the Township, in writing, shall
release any such successor or assign from such successor liability.
[Added 10-28-2008 by Ord. No. O:39-2008; amended 4-14-2009 by Ord. No.
O:05-2009]
A. Any developer of a parcel of land greater than 100 acres in size, for which the developer is seeking approval of a planned development pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, may submit a general development plan to the Planning Board prior to the granting of preliminary approval of that development as provided in §
175-59 of this chapter.
B. For
a development located in the Pinelands Area of Monroe Township, a
certificate of filing must first be obtained. No application for general
development plan approval can be deemed complete without being accompanied
by a certificate of filing from the Pinelands Commission.
C. The
Planning Board shall grant or deny general development plan approval
within 95 days after submission 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
general development plan approval of the planned development.
D. A general development plan shall contain all the information provided in §
175-66.1 of this chapter and shall set forth the permitted number of dwelling units, the amount of nonresidential floor space, the residential density and the nonresidential floor area ratio for the planned development, in its entirety, according to a schedule which sets forth the timing of the various sections of the development. The planned development shall be developed in accordance with the general development plan approved by the Planning Board notwithstanding any provisions of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., or any ordinance or regulation adopted pursuant thereto after the effective date of the approval.
E. The term of effect of the general development plan approval shall be determined by the Planning Board using the guidelines set forth in Subsection
F below, except that the term of the effect of the approval shall not exceed 20 years from the date upon which the developer receives final approval of the first section of the planned development pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
F. In making
its determination regarding the duration of the effect of approval
of the development plan, the Planning Board shall consider the number
of dwelling units or the amount of nonresidential floor area to be
constructed, prevailing economic conditions, the timing schedule to
be followed in completing the development and the likelihood of its
fulfillment, the developer’s capability of completing the proposed
development, and the contents of the general development plan and
any conditions which the Planning Board attaches to the approval thereof.
G. In the
event that the developer seeks to modify the proposed timing schedule,
such modification shall require the approval of the Planning Board.
The Planning Board shall, in deciding whether or not to grant approval
of the modification, take into consideration prevailing economic and
market conditions, anticipated and actual needs for residential units
and nonresidential space within the Township and the region, and the
availability and capacity of public facilities to accommodate the
proposed development.
(1) Except as provided hereunder, the developer shall be required to
gain the prior approval of the Planning Board if, after approval of
the general development plan, the developer wishes to make any variation
in the location of land uses within the planned development or to
increase the density of residential development or the floor area
ratio of nonresidential development in any section of the planned
development.
(2) Any variation in the location of land uses or increase in density
or floor area ratio approval in reaction to a negative decision of,
or condition of development approval imposed by, the Pinelands Commissions,
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 13:18A-1 et seq., or the Department of Environmental
Protection, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 13:19-1 et seq., shall be approved
by the Planning Board if the developer can demonstrate to the satisfaction
of the Planning Board that the variation being proposed is a direct
result of such determination by the Pinelands Commission or the Department
of Environmental Protection, as the case may be.
H. Except
as provided hereunder, once the general development plan has been
approved by the Planning Board, it may be amended or revised only
upon application by the developer, approved by the Planning Board.
A developer, without violating the terms of approval pursuant to this
chapter, may, in undertaking any section of the planned development,
reduce the number of residential units or the amount of nonresidential
floor space by no more than 15% or reduce the residential density
or nonresidential floor area ratio by no more than 15%; provided,
however, that a developer may not reduce the number of residential
units to be provided pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-301 et seq., without
prior Township approval.
I. The
Planning Board shall, in accordance with the provisions of N.J.S.A.
40:55D-45.7, certify completion of each section of a general development
plan, determine any general development failure to complete or comply,
or determine the termination of a general development plan approval.
J. In the
event that a development which is the subject of an approved general
development plan is completed before the end of the term of the approval,
the approval shall terminate with the completion of the development.
For the purposes of this section, a development shall be considered
complete on the date upon which a certificate of occupancy has been
issued for the final residential or nonresidential structure in the
last section of the development in accordance with the timing schedule
set forth in the approved general development plan and the developer
has fulfilled all of his obligations pursuant to the approval.
It is well recognized that certain uses, while
necessary for the convenience of the citizens of the Township of Monroe,
if located without proper consideration to existing conditions and
surrounding development, may have an adverse effect on the public
health, safety and general welfare of the community. These uses are
designated as conditional uses and are subject to the conditions hereby
established.
A. Before any permit shall be issued for a conditional
use, applications shall be made to the Planning Board. The Planning
Board shall grant or deny the application after public hearing, but
within 95 days of submission of a complete application to the administrative
officer or within such further time as may be consented to by the
applicant. Where a conditional use application involves a site plan
or subdivision, notice of the hearing shall include reference to all
matters being heard, and the Planning Board shall review and approve
or deny the subdivision or site plan simultaneously with the conditional
use application. Failure of the Planning Board to act within the required
time period shall constitute approval of the application. In reviewing
the conditional use application, the Planning Board shall consider
and be guided by the following. All technical representations shall
be made by the appropriate licensed professional.
(1) That for which an application is being made is specifically
listed as a conditional use within the zone where the property is
located.
(2) The design, arrangement and nature of the particular
use is such that the public health, safety and welfare will be protected
and reasonable consideration is afforded to: the compatibility of
the proposed use(s) and/or structure(s) within the existing neighborhood;
the number of employees or users of the property; the potential effect
that the proposed use(s) and/or structure(s) will have upon property
values; the adequacy of the proposed parking and traffic circulation
for the use(s) and/or structure(s) and the potential for traffic congestion
and/or the creation of undue traffic hazards; the structural location(s)
and orientation(s); the need for such facility or use(s) to serve
the area in which it is to be located; the adequacy of proposed drainage
facilities which will serve the use(s) and/or structure(s); the adequacy
of plans for screening any adverse aspects of the use(s) and/or structure(s)
from adjoining properties; and the adequacy of proposed outdoor lighting.
(3) Compliance with the design and performance standards pursuant to Article
XIII of this chapter.
(4) Compliance with the standards, principles and objectives
of the Master Plan of the Township of Monroe.
B. All conditional uses shall also be required to obtain
site plan approval, unless otherwise specified in this chapter.
C. Conditional uses shall adhere to the additional standards specified for the particular use under Article
XIV except where no additional standards are specified herein.
D. In all requests for approval of conditional uses, the burden of proof shall be on the applicant. All conditional uses shall additionally require at a minimum site plan review and approval by the Planning Board. The applicant shall submit and the Board shall review an application for conditional use approval in accordance with the procedures of §
175-61 of this chapter. In the granting of conditional uses, a time limit of one year from the date of the approval shall be set within which time the owner shall secure a building permit; otherwise, the conditional use permit shall be null and void.
In reviewing any plan, the Board shall consider:
A. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic movement within and
adjacent to the site, with particular emphasis on the provision and
layout of parking areas, off-street loading and unloading, movement
of people, goods and vehicles from access roads, within the site,
between buildings and between buildings and vehicles. The Planning
Board shall ensure that all parking spaces are usable and are safely
and conveniently arranged. Access to the site from adjacent roads
shall be designed so as to interfere as little as possible with traffic
flow on these roads and to permit vehicles a rapid and safe ingress
to and egress from the site. All of the above shall be consistent
with municipal, county and state requirements.
B. The design and layout of buildings and parking areas
shall be reviewed so as to provide an aesthetically pleasing design
and efficient arrangement. Particular attention shall be given to
safety and fire protection, impact on surrounding development and
contiguous and adjacent buildings and lands.
C. Adequate lighting shall be provided to ensure safe
movement of persons and vehicles and for security purposes. Lighting
standards shall be a type approved by the Planning Board. Directional
lights shall be arranged so as to minimize glare and reflection on
adjacent properties.
D. Buffering shall be located around the perimeter of
the site to minimize headlights of vehicles, noise, light from structures,
the movement of people and vehicles, and to shield activities from
adjacent properties when necessary. Buffering may consist of fencing,
evergreens, shrubs, bushes, deciduous trees or combinations thereof
to achieve the stated objectives.
E. Landscaping shall be provided as part of the overall
site plan design and integrated into building arrangements, topography,
parking and buffering requirements. Landscaping shall include trees,
bushes, shrubs, ground cover, perennials, annuals, plants, sculpture,
art and/or the use of building and paving materials in an imaginative
manner.
F. Signs shall be designed so as to be aesthetically
pleasing, harmonious with other signs on the site and located so as
to achieve their purpose without constituting hazards to vehicles
and pedestrians.
G. Storm drainage, sanitary waste disposal, water supply
and garbage disposal shall be reviewed and considered. Particular
emphasis shall be given to the adequacy of existing systems and the
need for improvements, both on site and off site, to adequately carry
runoff and sewage and to maintain an adequate supply of water at sufficient
pressure.
H. Environmental elements relating to soil erosion, preservation
of trees, protection of watercourses and resources, noise, topography,
soil and animal life shall be reviewed, and design of the plan shall
minimize any adverse impact on these elements.
I. In the Pinelands Area of the Township, the extent
to which the standards of the Pinelands Comprehensive Management Plan
have been observed in the design of the development.