[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;
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.
