No building permit shall be issued for any structure and no certificate of occupancy or zoning permit shall be issued for a new use of any existing building until the site plan has been reviewed and approved by the Planning Board, except that the approval of a site plan for detached one- or two-dwelling-unit buildings and their accessory uses on a lot, including customary accessory buildings to a farm such as barns, silos, sheds and the like shall not be necessary. A building permit shall be applied for within one year of the approval date of a site plan, otherwise said site plan shall require resubmission and approval. The Board shall review the proposal, determine whether or not the applicable standards provided by this chapter have been observed, note objections to such parts of the plans that do not meet the standards and may make recommendations for desired changes to effect compliance with the chapter and to provide the most desirable alternative for development to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
The Planning Board may refer the site plan to other individuals, professionals, committees or subcommittees for comments and recommendations. An approved site plan shall be dated and signed by the Chairman of the Planning Board and returned to the applicant. A site plan receiving an approval with conditions or a denial shall not be signed and dated, but the conditions or reasons for denial shall be returned to the applicant in writing.
[Amended 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-23]
A. 
The applicant shall submit a preliminary site plan to the administrative officer. The administrative officer shall secure a determination from the Zoning Officer as to whether the use is permitted in the district in which it is located and whether there are any deficiencies in lot area, dimension, setback, yard requirements or the like as required by this chapter.
B. 
Should the Zoning Officer determine that the proposed use is not permitted, the application shall be made to the Board of Adjustment which may process the entire application in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. In accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-76, nothing in this section shall prevent an applicant from submitting a separate application to the Zoning Board of Adjustment requesting approval of a use variance with a subsequent application for required site plan approval. The separate approval of any such variance shall be conditioned upon granting of all required subsequent approvals by the Board of Adjustment. Should the plan reveal that the proposed use is a permitted use, then the application shall be made to the Planning Board which shall process the entire application pursuant to this chapter. The applicant shall submit a complete package as documented on the Application Checklist. All items listed under Section 1 — Administrative Completeness Requirements of the Application Checklist must be submitted or the package will be deemed incomplete. The checklist is attached to this chapter.
C. 
If the said preliminary site plan package is found to be incomplete, the applicant shall be notified in writing of the deficiencies therein by the Board or the Board's designee within 45 days of the date of submission or it shall be deemed properly submitted. Upon the submission to the administrative officer of a complete application for a site plan which involves 10 acres of land or less, and 10 dwelling units or less, 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 the submission of a complete application for a site plan which involves more than 10 acres or more than 10 dwelling units, 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 of the site plan.
A. 
Within three years of securing preliminary approval or simultaneously with an application for preliminary approval, the applicant may apply for final approval of the site plan. Failure to apply for said final site plan approval within said three years of preliminary approval will cause said preliminary approval to be deemed void. The duration of final approvals shall be as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-52. Final approval shall be granted or denied within 45 days after submission of a complete application for final approval to the administrative officer or within such further time as may be consented to by the applicant. If the application for final approval is found to be incomplete, the applicant shall be notified in writing of the deficiencies therein by the Board or the Board's designee within 45 days of the date of submission or it shall be deemed properly submitted. Final approval shall be granted or denied within 45 days after submission of a complete application to the administrative officer, 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 final approval 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 and it shall be sufficient in lieu of the written endorsement or other evidence or approval herein requested.
[Amended 12-16-2003 by Ord. No. O-03-43]
B. 
A completed checklist form as adopted by the Township shall also be submitted.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The checklist is included as an attachment to this chapter.
C. 
Whenever review or approval of the application by the County Planning Board or the Howell Township Municipal Utilities Authority is required, the approving authority shall condition any site plan approval that it grants upon timely receipt of written evidence of favorable action by the County Planning Board or the Municipal Utilities Authority, or, in the case of the County Planning Board, approval by the County Planning Board by its failure to report therein within the required time period. If the action of either the County Planning Board or Municipal Utilities Authority is negative or attaches conditions which impact upon the design approved by the approving authority, the original action by the approving authority shall be null and void. The applicant shall then make application for reconsideration of its original application which shall take into consideration the action of the County Planning Board or Municipal Utilities Authority.
[Amended 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-23]
No permit shall be issued by the Construction Code Official until receipt of the site plan approval or the expiration of the time period, whichever comes first. In the event the Planning Board disapproves the plans, no permits shall be issued. Any applicant wishing to make a change in an approved application shall follow the same procedure as the original application. Where a new use is proposed for any existing building, the approved site plan for the previous use, if any, may be submitted where no changes are contemplated on the site for the new use. Where more parking or loading may be required, it shall be shown on the site plan or previously approved site plan, together with the extension or enlargement of the existing drainage system where deemed necessary by the Township Engineer prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the new occupant.
[Amended 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-23]
All plans shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements listed on the Application Checklist.[1] Failure to comply with the checklist may be reason for the application to be rejected. If the applicant requires a waiver from an item, he or she must provide a written description and explanation as to why the waiver should be granted.
[1]
Editor's Note: This checklist is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[Amended 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-23]
All plans shall be prepared in accordance with the requirements listed on the Application Checklist.[1] Failure to comply with the checklist may be reason for the application to be rejected. If the applicant requires a waiver from an item, he or she must provide a written description and explanation as to why the waiver should be granted. Each preliminary site plan submission shall show the following information on one or more maps, and have data that cannot be mapped attached thereto:
A. 
Building and use plan. The size, height, location, arrangement and use of all existing and proposed structures and signs including proposed total building coverage in acres or square footage and percent of the lot coverage, with an architect’s scaled elevations of the front, side and rear of any structure and sign to be erected or modified to the extent necessary to apprise the Planning Board of the scope of the proposed work. Any existing structures on the side shall be identified either to remain or be removed. A written description of the proposed use(s) including the number of employees or members of nonresidential buildings; the proposed number of shifts to be worked and maximum employees on each shift; expected truck and tractor-trailer traffic; emission of noise, glare, vibration, heat, odor, air and water pollution; safety hazards; outdoor storage of materials and the proposed screening thereof; and anticipated expansion plans incorporated in the building design shall be included. Floor plans shall be submitted where multiple dwelling units or more than one use are proposed that have different parking standards.
B. 
Circulation plan. This plan shall show access streets and street names, acceleration/deceleration lanes, access points to public streets, sight triangles, traffic channelization, easements, fire lanes, driveways, aisles and lanes, curbs, curb cuts with ramps for handicapped persons, number and location of parking and loading spaces including the designated wider spaces for the handicapped, loading berths or docks, pedestrian walks, and all related facilities for the movement and storage of goods, vehicles and persons on the site and including lights, lighting standards, signs and driveways within the tract and within 100 feet of the tract. Sidewalks shall be shown from each entrance/exit along expected paths of pedestrian travel such as, but not limited to, access to parking lots, driveways, other buildings on the site, and across common yard areas between buildings. Plans shall be accompanied by cross sections of new streets, aisles, lanes, driveways and sidewalks. Any expansion plans for the proposed use shall show feasible parking and loading expansion plans to accompany building expansion.
(1) 
This plan shall show existing and proposed wooded areas, buffer areas including the intended screening devices and buffers, grading at two-foot contour intervals inside the tract and within 50 feet of its boundaries, seeded and/or sodded areas, ground cover, retaining walls, fencing, signs, recreation areas, shrubbery, trees, and other landscaping features. These plans shall show the location and type of man-made improvements and the location, species, and caliper of plant material and trees to be removed or to be located on the tract. The plans shall show how the interior of paved areas such as parking lots shall be landscaped and all portions of the property not utilized by buildings or paved surfaces shall be landscaped utilizing combinations such as landscaped fencing, shrubbery, lawn area, ground cover, rock formations, contours, existing foliage, and the planting of coniferous and/or deciduous trees native to the area in order to maintain or reestablish the tone of the vegetation in the area and lessen the visual impact of the structures and paved areas. The established grades and landscaping on any site shall be planned for aesthetic, drainage, and erosion control purposes. The grading plan, drainage facilities, and landscaping shall be coordinated to prevent erosion and siltation as well as assuring that the capacity of any downstream natural or man-made drainage system is sufficient to handle the water from the site and contributing upstream areas.
(2) 
A separate, written environmental impact report shall be submitted which shall comply with the environmental impact report section of this chapter and all other applicable ordinances.
C. 
Facilities plan. This plan shall show the existing and proposed locations of all drainage; open space; common property; fire, gas, electric, telephone, sewerage and waterline locations; and solid waste collection and disposal methods including proposed grades, sizes, capacities, and materials to be used for facilities installed by the applicant. All easements acquired or required on the tract and across adjacent properties shall be shown and copies of legal documentation that support the granting of an easement by adjoining property owner shall be included. The method of sanitary waste disposal shall be shown. All proposed lighting shall be shown including the direction, angle, height, and reflection of each source of light. All utilities shall be installed underground.
D. 
This plan shall contain a legend setting forth the names and addresses of all individuals or entities who own a 10% or greater interest in the property that is the subject of the development application, as either an owner applicant or a contract purchase applicant. In the event that the applicant or owner is either a corporation or partnership, the names and addresses of all stockholders or individual partners owning at least 10% of its stock of any class or at least 10% of the interest in the partnership shall be listed.
[1]
Editor's Note: This checklist is included as an attachment to this chapter.
The standards set forth in this section apply only to those uses requiring site plan approval, unless specifically stated otherwise.
A. 
Access to lots with more than 10 spaces. There shall be a maximum of two access drives to any street with their center lines spaced at least 56 feet apart, with no more than two lanes of traffic each, and with their center lines at least 30 feet from any property line. When the property along a street exceeds 500 feet in length, one access drive may be permitted for each 250 feet of frontage. Driveways with widths exceeding 24 feet shall be approved by the Planning Board giving consideration to the width, curbing, traffic flow, radii of curves, and traffic lane divider.
B. 
Access to loading and parking spaces. Individual spaces shall be served by interior driveways and be designed for vehicle access without requiring the moving of any other vehicle. Spaces shall not have direct access from public streets, and parking spaces located within a shopping center may not have direct access from major interior access drives. All loading areas and parking lots with more than 10 spaces shall be buffered from adjoining streets, existing residential use, and residential zoning districts in accordance with the buffer section of this chapter.[1]
[Amended 6-24-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-09]
[1]
Editor's Note: See § 188-63, Buffers and screening, of this chapter.
C. 
Curbing. All parking lots with more than 10 spaces and all loading areas shall have concrete or Belgian block curbing around the perimeter of the parking and loading areas in conjunction with an overall drainage plan. Curbing shall be either depressed at the driveway or have the curbing rounded at the corners with the access drive connected to the street in the same manner as another street. Curbing between vehicular and pedestrian ways shall be designed with periodic ramps from the street or parking grade to the sidewalk which shall be no less frequent than one every 65 feet and located in accordance with a pedestrian circulation plan.
D. 
Drainage. All parking and loading areas shall be drained in accordance with good engineering practice as approved by the Municipal Engineer. Where subbase conditions are wet, springy, or of such nature that surfacing would be inadvisable without first treating the subbase, these areas shall be excavated to a depth of at least six to 12 inches below the proposed finished grade and filled with a suitable subbase material as determined by the Municipal Engineer. Where required by the Engineer, a system of porous concrete pipe subsurface drains shall be constructed beneath the surface of the paving and connected to a suitable drain. After the subbase material has been properly placed and compacted, the parking area surfacing material shall be applied.
E. 
Surfacing shall be approved as part of the site plan approval.
F. 
Ingress and egress.
[Amended 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-23]
(1) 
Areas of ingress and egress, loading and unloading areas, major interior driveways and aisles, and other areas likely to experience similar heavy traffic shall be paved with not less than four inches of compacted base course of plant-mixed bituminous stabilized base course constructed in layers not more than two inches compacted thickness, or equivalent, and prepared and constructed in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Roads and Bridge Construction, latest edition, and amendments thereto. A minimum two-inch-thick compacted wearing surface of bituminous concrete, or equivalent, shall be constructed thereon in accordance with those specifications.
(a) 
All main driveways into commercial and/or industrial areas shall be a minimum of 30 feet wide, or as controlled by outside agencies. On industrial and commercial applications, a thirty-foot-wide circulation aisle must be maintained for emergency purposes.
(b) 
All aisles other than the main driveways into commercial and/or industrial areas shall be a minimum of 25 feet wide. In the interest of public safety, the Board of Fire Commissioners does not support any waivers to Subsection F(1)(a) and (b).
(c) 
Residential site plans and subdivisions shall be designed with thirty-six-foot-wide main access roads and thirty-foot-wide parking aisles.
(2) 
Parking space areas and other areas likely to experience light traffic shall be paved with not less than three inches of compacted base concrete of plant-mixed bituminous stabilized base course, or equivalent, prepared and constructed in accordance with the New Jersey Department of Transportation Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, latest edition, and amendments thereto. At least 1 1/2 inch compacted wearing surface of bituminous concrete, or equivalent, shall be constructed thereon in accordance with those specifications.
G. 
Landscaping in all loading areas and in and around parking lots for 10 or more vehicles shall be shown on a landscaping plan. There shall be at least one tree and one shrub for every 10 parking spaces. Trees shall be staggered and/or spaced so as not to interfere with driver vision at intersections of driveways and streets and at the ends of parking rows and have branches no lower than six feet. All areas between the parking area and the building shall be landscaped. All landscaped areas within the parking lot or loading area shall be protected by concrete or Belgian block curbing. Any plantings which do not live shall be replaced within one year or one growing season. A majority of the parking area shall be obscured from public streets by buildings, landscaped berms, natural ground elevations, low evergreen or plantings, singularly or in combination. Shrubbery and tree species selected shall be resistant to pollutants typically found in parking areas.
H. 
Minimum loading requirements. Adequate off-street loading and maneuvering space shall be provided for every use based on the following schedule. Those uses not listed shall provide sufficient spaces as determined under site plan review.
(1) 
There shall be a minimum of one space per use. When more than one use is located in a building or where multiple uses are designed as part of a shopping center, industrial complex, or similar self-contained complex, the number of loading spaces shall be based on the cumulative number of square feet within the building or complex, shall be dispersed throughout the site to best serve the individual uses, and be part of site plan approval.
(2) 
There shall be a minimum of one trash/garbage pickup location located either within or outside a building in steel-like, totally enclosed container(s), located and screened to be obscured from view from parking areas, streets and residences. If located within a commercial or industrial building, the doorway(s) may serve both the loading and trash/garbage collection functions. If located outside the building, it may be located adjacent to or within the loading area(s), provided that the container(s) in no way interfere with or restrict the required loading functions.
(3) 
Where a tract has at least 25 acres and no portion of a loading area, including maneuvering areas, is closer than 200 feet to any property line and where the length of the driveway connecting the loading area to the street is at least 300 feet long, the number of off-street loading spaces may be less than the number required by the above schedule, provided that the applicant shall document on his site plan how the number of spaces to be provided will be adequate to meet the needs of the specified use.
I. 
Location of parking and loading areas.
(1) 
No off-street loading and maneuvering area shall be located in any front yard nor require any part of a street.
(2) 
Loading spaces shall abut the building being served, and be located to directly serve the building for which the space is being provided.
(3) 
No loading and parking spaces shall be located in any required buffer area.
(4) 
Parking spaces for apartment/townhouses and for commercial/industrial uses shall be within 150 feet and 300 feet, respectively, of the entrance of the building being served.
(5) 
No parking shall be permitted in designated fire lanes, streets, driveways, aisles, sidewalks or turning areas.
(6) 
Parking spaces for shopping centers may be located in any yard. Parking spaces for residential uses may be located in any yard as designated for individual structures, but parking shall be discouraged from being located in the yard space between any public street and any principal building, but when located within this yard area, shall be at least 100 feet from the street.
J. 
Waiver of parking or loading requirements by the Planning Board. Waivers may be given upon the following terms and conditions:
(1) 
The variation is no greater than 20% of the requirements set forth herein.
(2) 
The variation is based on testimony presented on a report prepared by a recognized traffic expert.
(3) 
The variation is determined after a public hearing on the site plan with the appropriate notice given to property owners within 200 feet of the property in question.
A. 
Dimensions. Off-street parking spaces shall be 19 feet in length and dimensioned in accordance with the following schedule, except that a minimum of one space, shall be accessible and designed in accordance with Chapter 216.
[Amended 3-27-2012 by Ord. No. O-12-04]
For Parking Spaces
Nine Feet Wide
For Parking Spaces
10 Feet Wide
Angle of Parking Space
One-Way Aisle
(feet)
Two-Way Aisle
(feet)
One-Way Aisle
(feet)
Two-Way Aisle
(feet)
90°
25
25
22
22
60°
20
22
18
20
45°
18
20
15
18
30°
15
18
12
18
Parallel
12
18
12
18
(1) 
Off-street loading spaces shall have 15 feet of vertical clearance and be designed in accordance with the following schedule:
Loading Space
Length
(feet)
Width
(feet)
Apron/Aisle
(feet)
Length
(feet)
90°
80°
60
10
72
66
60
12
63
57
60
14
60
54
B. 
Minimum loading requirements.
Gross Floor Area
Use
Minimum Number of Spaces*
At Which First Berth is Required
At Which Second Berth is Required
Number Additional Square Feet
Additional Berth
Assembly operation
1
5,000
40,000
30,000
Auto sales
1
10,000
40,000
40,000
Bar
1
10,000
25,000
20,000
Bowling alley
1
10,000
100,000
100,000
Car wash
0
10,000
100,000
100,000
Cemetery
0
None required
Church
0
None required
Community center
0
None required
Doctor/dentist's office in home
0
10,000
NA
NA
Dwelling unit
0
None required
Farm
0
None required
Fiduciary institutions
0
10,000
100,000
100,000
Finishing operations
1
5,000
40,000
30,000
Golf course
0
10,000
25,000
40,000
Gymnasium
0
None required
Home occupation
0
None required
Hospital
1
10,000
100,000
100,000
Industrial
1
5,000
40,000
30,000
Library
0
None required
Lumber yard
1
10,000
100,000
100,000
Manufacturing
1
5,000
40,000
30,000
Medical center
0
10,000
100,000
100,000
Mines
1
To be determined at site plan review
Mortuary
1
10,000
100,000
100,000
Museum
1
NA
NA
NA
Neighborhood convenience center
1
5,000
40,000
40,000
Nightclub
1
10,000
25,000
20,000
Offices
1
10,000
100,000
100,000
Park
0
None required
Pilot plats
1
5,000
40,000
40,000
Pool
0
10,000
100,000
100,000
Receiving
1
5,000
40,000
40,000
Research
1
5,000
40,000
40,000
Restaurant
1
10,000
25,000
20,000
Retail store
1
10,000
20,000
20,000
School
1
NA
NA
NA
Service station
0
None required
Shipping
1
5,000
40,000
30,000
Shopping center
1
10,000
40,000
40,000
Storage area
1
5,000
40,000
30,000
Tennis courts
0
None required
Theater
0
None required
Truck sales
1
10,000
40,000
40,000
Utilities
0
10,000
100,000
100,000
Veterinarian hospital
1
10,000
100,000
100,000
Warehouse
1
5,000
40,000
30,000
*The minimum number of spaces shall prevail for uses that have not attained the gross floor area where the first space is required.
C. 
Minimum parking requirements. The number of parking spaces for each use shall be determined by the number of dwelling units, the amount of gross floor area as defined in this chapter or such other measure as noted below. Where a particular function contains more than one use, the minimum parking requirements shall be the sum of the component parts.
[Amended 10-20-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-52; 9-13-2022 by Ord. No. O-22-50]
Adult day care
1 space per employee, plus 1 space per facility vehicle, plus 1 space per 1,000 square feet of service area
Age-restricted single-family residence
2 spaces
Assembly/packaging
1 space per 800 square feet GFA
Auto sales (new and used)
1 space per 300 square feet showroom area and sales office
Automobile repair/auto body (service station)
4 spaces per bay
Billboard
No requirement
Bowling alley
4 spaces per alley
Car wash
10 spaces per washing lane
Church, synagogue or other place of worship/house of worship
1 space for each 4 seats or one space for each 4 persons occupancy based upon the maximum allowed occupancy calculated from the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (whichever is greater)
Commercial dog breeders/kennels, pounds, training facilities and pet shops
1 space per 250 square feet GFA
Community residences (disabled and victims of domestic violence, greater than 6)
2 spaces
Community residences (disabled and victims of domestic violence, 6 to 15)
3 spaces
Community theater/playhouse
1 space per 3 seats
Construction (storage/laydown yard)
1 space per 25,000 square feet lot size, plus 1 space per 300 square feet of office space
Craft distillery
1 space per 1,000 square feet, plus 1 space per 3 seats in tasting area
Day-care facility
1 space per employee, plus 1 space per facility vehicle type, plus 3 spaces per classroom
Distribution facility
1 space per 5,000 square feet GFA
Dwelling unit
2
Entertainment
1 space per 3 seats
Essential services
1 space
Farm/agriculture/horticulture
2 spaces
Financial institutions
1 space per 250 square feet GFA
Flex space
Parked at the highest intensity use proposed
Garden apartments
2 spaces per unit
Gasoline station/convenience center
1 space per pump, plus 1 space per 150 square feet GFA of convenience store
Health club facility/fitness center
15 spaces per pool, 5 spaces per sports court and 1.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet other floor area
Club and pool
Sports facility uses
Home improvement store
1 space per 200 square feet GFA
Home occupation
Minimum 2 plus 2 per employee
Indoor recreation
1 space per 250 square feet GFA
Industrial
1 space per 800 square feet GFA
Landscape business
1 space for each fleet vehicle or trailer in addition to requirement per office and warehouse use
Library
1 space per 300 square feet GFA
Manufacturing
1 space per 800 square feet GFA
Medical center/health care facility
1 space per 150 square feet GFA
Microbrewery
1 space per 1,000 square feet of brewing area, plus 1 space per 3 seats tasting area
Movie theater
1 space per 3 seats
Multipurpose recreational and sports complex
1.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet – private
3 spaces per 1,000 square feet – public
Nature trails
At the discretion of the approving board
Offices (commercial)
1 space per 300 square feet GFA
Planned mixed use age restricted
2 spaces per dwelling
Pool (club)
6.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet GFA
Residential rental dwelling
2 spaces per dwelling
Restaurant
1 space per 3 seats; 1 space per 30 square feet GFA in quick food establishments
Retail store (sales and services)
1 space per 150 square feet GFA
School
Elementary
1.2 spaces per classroom, but not less than 1 per teacher and staff
Intermediate
1.5 spaces per classroom, but not less than 1 per teacher and staff
Secondary
2.5 spaces per classroom, plus one parking space for each 8 pupils in 11th and 12th grades
School, commercial
1 space per 150 square feet of floor space
Service station
4 spaces per bay and work area
Shipping
1 space per 5,000 square feet GFA
Shopping center
5.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet GFA,* excluding theater
Single-family residential (attached)
2 spaces
Single-family residential (detached)
2 spaces
Sports facility (private)**
1.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet GFA
Sports facility (public)
3.0 spaces per 1,000 square feet GFA
Solar farm/solar generating facilities
1 space
Tattoo/body piercing
1.5 spaces per chair
Telecommunications facility
1 space
Tennis courts
3 spaces per court
Theater
1 space per 3 seats; 1 per 4 seats in shopping center
Trade contractor business
1 space for each fleet vehicle or trailer in addition to requirement per office and warehouse use
Truck sales
1 space per 300 square feet showroom area and sales office
Utilities
1 space
Veterinarian hospital
6 spaces per examination room or doctor, whichever is greater
Warehouse (storage)
1 space per 5,000 square feet GFA
* Maximum 20% of GFA can be office use without additional parking for the office use. Office use above 20% shall require parking at the appropriate rate.
** Members only
(1) 
Where the minimum parking requirements are not set forth for a specific use in this schedule, the number of required parking spaces shall be determined by the reviewing agency at the time at which an application for development is submitted by utilizing the latest edition of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) Trip Generation Manual to develop appropriate parking standards.
D. 
Where the total number of off-street parking spaces required may not be immediately required for a particular use and at the Planning Board’s discretion a staged development plan may be permitted which requires that only a portion of the parking area, but not less than 75% of the required spaces, be completed initially, subject to the following regulations:
[Added 10-20-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-52]
(1) 
The site plan shall clearly indicate both the portion of the parking area to be initially paved and the total parking area to be eventually paved and the total parking needed to provide the number of spaces required.
(2) 
The portion of the parking area not to be paved initially shall be landscaped.
(3) 
Prior to construction of any future banked parking area, a bond shall be posted and a soil disturbance permit obtained.
(4) 
Construction shall be in accordance with the terms of the Board approval.
(5) 
Any change of use on a site for which the Planning Board may have approved a partial paving of off-street parking areas to a use which requires more parking spaces than are provided on the site shall require submission of a new site plan.
(6) 
The drainage system for the site shall be designed to accommodate the surface water runoff from all parking and drainage areas, considering all such areas to be paved, whether proposed to be paved as part of the application approval or deferred to a possible future date.
(7) 
The applicant shall agree in writing on the submitted plan to pave any or all of the nonpaved parking areas should the paved parking areas prove to be inadequate to accommodate the on-site parking needs of the premises.
E. 
Bicycle parking facilities shall be installed wherever significant attractors are established, including but not limited to food stores, educational uses, and shopping centers. The number of spaces for bicycles shall be equal to at least 10% of the total required number of parking spaces for the first 100 spaces and 2% thereafter. Bicycle parking facilities or areas shall have a minimum capacity of six bicycles and shall be designed to provide secure anchoring for locking devices. If located in parking lots, bicycle facilities or areas shall be primarily located in the one-third of the parking lot located closest to the building. If located on sidewalks, the bicycle parking shall be located adjacent to a building entrance(s). Bicycle parking shall always be located outside of travel ways for motorized vehicles and pedestrians.
[Added 10-20-2009 by Ord. No. O-09-52]
Site plan approval shall be for the general purposes of enhancing the neighborhood; providing adequate access to off-street parking and loading facilities for employees, visitors and residents; providing buffering techniques for safety and/or aesthetic purposes; preventing uses which violate applicable state and federal safety and environmental regulations; preserving floodways and flood hazard areas; and requiring that all raw materials, fuel, goods in process, finished goods, machinery and equipment shall be housed and/or screened from residential uses.
A. 
The Planning Board, when acting upon applications for preliminary site plan approval, shall have the power to grant such exceptions from the requirements for site plan approval as may be reasonable and within the general purpose and intent of the provisions for 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.
B. 
The Planning Board shall have the power to review and approve or deny conditional uses or site plans simultaneously with review for subdivision approval without the developer being required to make further application to the Planning Board, or the Planning Board being required to hold further hearings. The longest time period for action by the Planning Board, whether it be for subdivision, conditional use or site plan approval, shall apply. Whenever approval of a conditional use is requested by the developer pursuant to this subsection, notice of the hearing on the site plan shall include reference to the request for such conditional use.
[Added 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-23]
A. 
The following procedures and requirements shall be deemed applicable to applications for a conditional exemption for site plan approval. A conditionally exempt site plan involves a development proposal which involves:
(1) 
The construction of an addition to an existing building, the floor area of which will not exceed 50% of the floor area of the existing building, provided that the addition shall not exceed 2,500 square feet and provided further that a change of use of the building is not involved, except as permitted in Subsection A(3) below. No more than one such exemption per building shall be permitted.
(2) 
The interior or exterior renovation or improvement of a building, provided that a change of use of the building is not involved, except as permitted in Subsection A(3) below.
(3) 
The change of use of an existing building, or portion thereof, from a nonconforming use to a conforming use, provided that the building or portion thereof consists of a floor area of not more than 2,500 square feet. No more than one such exemption per building shall be permitted.
(4) 
The addition of accessory structures and site improvements to a developed property provided that the structures and improvements are incidental and accessory to the principal use of the property.
(5) 
Freestanding accessory buildings on developed properties, provided that the building is accessory to the principal use of the property and that the building does not exceed 2,500 square feet of gross floor area. The aggregate square footage of multiple accessory buildings on one site cannot exceed 2,500 square feet without full site plan approval. Any future improvement will require the proper type of site plan approval.
(6) 
Does not involve planned development, any new street or extension of any off-street improvements which is to be prorated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-42.
B. 
Such a proposal may be exempt from formal site plan review and approval provided the proposal meets the criteria established by this chapter and does not require either a variance or design waiver relief pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70 or 40:55D-51. Approval of such a proposal may be granted by the Community Development Conditionally Exempt Site Plan Review Committee or referred to the approving authority for its review and determination as to whether the Community Development Conditionally Exempt Site Plan Review Committee may grant approval or whether a formal site plan review is required.
C. 
Any applicant requesting approval of a conditionally exempt site plan as defined in this chapter shall submit to the Community Development Conditionally Exempt Site Plan Review Committee an application package consistent with the Application Checklist as attached to this chapter.[2] In addition, the applicant shall establish the following:
(1) 
The applicant shall comply with all parking requirements contained in the ordinance as well as the R.S.I.S. (if applicable) including, but not limited to, number and dimensions of spaces. The number and location of spaces must be depicted on the plan in order to confirm compliance. Handicapped signage and striping details pursuant to the ADA must be provided on the plan.
(2) 
Appropriate and adequate landscaping must be provided and shown on the plan. Existing and proposed landscaping along with ground cover must be identified on the plan as required by ordinance.
(3) 
There shall be no intrusion into any buffer area designated for that purpose on a previously approved plan. Buffer areas must be delineated on the plan and supplemented, where necessary, to provide the required visual screen.
(4) 
Information relating to advertising signage location and design must be shown on the plan in addition to 911 emergency response signage. Sign location and details must be shown on the plan.
(5) 
A lighting plan must be supplied. Existing and proposed lighting fixtures and footcandle limits for the existing proposed lighting fixtures must satisfy ordinance compliance.
(6) 
The plan must contain fire lanes and striping to comply with the Howell Township Fire Prevention Bureau. (Fire Prevention Bureau may be contacted prior to preparation of plans for suggestions relating to required stopping, signage and fire lane locations.)
(7) 
Whenever review or approval of the application by outside agencies, including but not limited to the Howell Township Utilities Department, Monmouth County Board of Health, Monmouth County Planning Board, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), Freehold Soil Conservation District (FSCD) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), is required but not yet received, the applicant may request a conditional approval subject to receipt of all prior outside agency approvals.
(8) 
The applicant is aware of and shall comply with Howell Township Revised Local Ordinance regarding a mandatory financial contribution to the Township of Howell Affordable Housing Trust Fund.
(9) 
The applicant shall provide all prior resolutions of approval, if applicable, to demonstrate that there is no significant departure from a either a prior approved plan or condition.
[2]
Editor's Note: This checklist is included as an attachment to this chapter.
D. 
The application shall be declared complete or incomplete within a forty-five-day period from the date of submission.
E. 
Conditionally exempt site plan approval may be granted by the Community Development Conditionally Exempt Site Plan Review Committee, provided the following criteria are also met:
(1) 
Adequate parking spaces must be provided in compliance with this chapter.
(2) 
Appropriate landscaping must be provided pursuant to this chapter.
(3) 
There shall be no intrusion into any buffer area designated for that purpose on a previously approved site plan or as required by this chapter.
(4) 
There shall be no substantial alteration of the existing drainage which would substantially change the path, direction or quantity of surface flow.
(5) 
A conditionally exempt site plan approval may not be granted where the subject site contains preexisting lawful nonconformities and those nonconformities would be intensified by the proposed application. A preexisting use or structure which never received proper approvals would require approval from the appropriate land use board.
(6) 
All other approvals and permits required by law or regulation are obtained and copies submitted to the Community Development Conditionally Exempt Site Plan Review Committee.
(7) 
The Property Maintenance Code and all other applicable ordinances of the Township of Howell shall be fully adhered to.
F. 
The Community Development Conditionally Exempt Site Plan Review Committee may grant a conditional approval subject to conditions. These conditions shall be outlined in a written approval.
G. 
The Community Development Conditionally Exempt Site Plan Review Committee may, at its discretion, submit any matter to the Planning Board for its review and determination as to whether or not conditionally exempt site plan approval may be granted or whether minor or major site plan approval shall be required.
H. 
Performance guarantee. If deemed necessary by the Township Engineer, and after approval of a conditional exempt site plan and before issuance of any building permit for the site, the applicant shall furnish an approved surety company bond (the amount to be approved by the Township Engineer) for the purpose of guaranteeing the completion of such items in the site plan that will affect the public interest, such as, but not limited to, drainage, streets, sidewalks, recreational areas, shade trees or shrubbery and required landscaping, off-street parking, loading and unloading zones and artificial lighting. A building permit shall not be issued prior to the completion of all conditions of approval by the applicant.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 188-110, Site plan compliance review, was repealed 10-18-2011 by Ord. No. O-11-37.
[Added 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-23[1]]
A minor site plan may be submitted for any development which requires site plan approval, unless otherwise exempted according to § 188-110 of this chapter, and for which the following conditions can be met:
A. 
For construction of a proposed addition to an existing building, the floor area of which cannot exceed 50% of the floor area of the existing building and the proposed addition cannot exceed 5,000 square feet. The additional parking lot area cannot exceed 5% of the existing parking lot. The total combined area cannot violate the maximum area of impervious coverage permitted in each zone.
B. 
A new proposed building to an existing site cannot exceed 5,000 square feet.
C. 
A change of use is proposed which is not exempt from site plan approval pursuant to § 188-110 of this chapter.
D. 
No new major drainage facilities or major alteration to the existing drainage facility shall be required.
E. 
Does not involve planned development, any new street or extension of any off-street improvements which is to be prorated pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-42.
F. 
There shall be no intrusion into any buffer area designated for that purpose on a previously approved plan. Buffer areas must be delineated on the plan and supplemented, where necessary, to provide the required visual screen.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former § 188-111, Architectural Review Committee.
[Added 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-23]
The applicant shall submit a complete package as documented on the Application Checklist. All items listed under Section 1 — Administrative Completeness Requirements, of the Application Checklist must be submitted or the package will be deemed incomplete. The checklist is attached in this chapter.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: This checklist is included as an attachment to this chapter.
[Added 8-20-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-23]
The provisions of Article XII of this chapter shall be applicable to all conditionally exempt site plans and minor site plan applications except as is otherwise provided for in this article.