[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of East Ruherford 4-16-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-08. Amendments noted where applicable.]
There is hereby established a Pre-Application Concept Review Committee (PACRC), the purpose of which is to informally review proposed development applications that are brought before the PACRC on a voluntary basis by the applicant. The PACRC shall consist of a combination of the following Borough representatives:
A. 
Mayor.
B. 
Council Representative.
C. 
Borough Engineer or his designee.
D. 
Construction Code Official.
E. 
Borough's planning consultant.
F. 
Borough Attorney or designee.
G. 
Any other individual(s) designated to participate by the Borough Council whose particular expertise may be required on a specific application.
The Pre-Application Concept Review Committee shall meet on a regular as-needed basis in order to informally review proposed applications for development, provided that the proposed application has been received by the Construction Code Official at least 14 days prior to the scheduled PACRC meeting. It is recommended that the applicant contact the Construction Code Official at least 21 days prior to the requested meeting date to confirm the availability of the meeting date and time with the PACRC.
For the purpose of expediting applications and reducing development costs, an applicant may voluntarily request a pre-application conference with the PACRC prior to making a formal application to either the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment. An applicant is under no obligation to voluntarily request or participate in the pre-application conference with the PACRC.
In the event that the applicant makes a voluntary request for a pre-application conference with the PACRC, then the PACRC shall:
A. 
Acquaint the applicant with the substantive and procedural requirements of the Borough's Land Use Ordinance.
B. 
Exchange information with the applicant concerning the relationship of the proposed development with the applicable elements of the Borough's Master Plan, Land Use Ordinance or other applicable Borough regulations.
C. 
Inform the applicant of any public sources of information that may aid the applicant in preparing its submittal to the Planning or Zoning Board.
D. 
Review the condition of existing service facilities, the impact of the proposed development on those facilities and improvements that may be necessary or required to accommodate the proposed development and the area affected by the proposed development.
E. 
Identify Borough policies or regulations that create opportunities for or pose significant constraints on the proposed development (including but not limited to flood, fire, traffic, parking, public safety, environmental, historic preservation, property maintenance, or availability of utilities).
F. 
Consider opportunities to increase development benefits and mitigate undesirable project consequences.
G. 
Provide input concerning the general design of the proposed development in an effort to expedite the Planning or Zoning Board review and approval process, including a discussion of the applicant's need for any waivers or variances.
H. 
Review and assess the potential applicability of the Local Redevelopment and Housing Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:12A-1.
The informal review by the PACRC and any statements or recommendations made during the PACRC meeting(s) by the Borough or its representatives shall not have a binding legal effect on the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment or any Borough representative participating in the PACRC, nor shall any statements or representations made during the PACRC meeting(s) by the applicant or the applicant's representatives have a binding legal effect on the applicant.
A. 
At least 14 days prior to the scheduled PACRC meeting, the applicant shall have submitted to the Construction Code Official the application, which shall include seven copies of the following:
(1) 
Site plan drawing, including general dimensions;
(2) 
Building elevation and/or perspective drawing that includes proposed building height(s);
(3) 
Typical floor plan(s), including overall dimensions;
(4) 
Project description that includes lot size, number of floors, proposed use or uses and any known waiver (i.e., buffer or setback) or variance requests;
(5) 
Each drawing or plan should include appropriate notes, as applicable, concerning the following items:
(a) 
Ingress/egress and circulation;
(b) 
Lighting;
(c) 
Landscaping;
(d) 
Utilities;
(e) 
Stormwater management;
(f) 
Parking; and
(g) 
Open space.
B. 
Additional copies of these documents may be required from the applicant prior to scheduling the PACRC meeting if the Committee determines that additional Borough representatives should participate in the PACRC.
There shall be a fee of $1,000 due from the applicant upon the applicant voluntarily filing an application for informal review by the PACRC. In the event that the applicant voluntarily requests additional meetings with the PACRC prior to the filing of an application before the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, then the applicant shall pay for the cost of any additional meetings with the PACRC by posting with the Land Use Administrator adequate funds (as determined by the Land Use Administrator taking into consideration the complexity of the proposed project), which shall be held in escrow and used to pay for the Borough's actual costs associated with the participation of the Borough's representatives at additional PACRC meetings requested by the applicant.