Prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or construction
permit, site plan approval by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of
Adjustment, as applicable, shall be required for all applications
not meeting the definition of "site plan, exempt." Minor site plans
shall require only final approval. Major site plans shall require
preliminary and final approval which, at the discretion of the Planning
Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as applicable, may be granted
at the same time.
In addition to the requirements of this chapter and of the Merchantville
Master Plan, as amended, the following standards shall be used by
the Planning Board as guidelines in reviewing site plan applications:
A. The existing landscape shall be preserved in its natural state insofar
as possible and tree and soil removal kept to a minimum. Grade changes
shall be made in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring
developed areas. New landscaping and grass and ground cover areas
shall be developed as screening and environmental protection for the
site.
B. Proposed structures shall be related harmoniously to the terrain
and to existing buildings and structures in the vicinity that have
a visual relationship to the proposed development. Provision shall
be made for screening of all parking, service and loading areas, playgrounds,
equipment and storage areas from adjacent properties.
C. Adequate provision shall be made for vehicular and pedestrian circulation,
including walkways, interior drives and parking. Special attention
shall be given to location and number of access points to the public
streets, width of interior drives, general interior circulation, separation
of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and arrangement of parking areas
that are safe and convenient and do not detract from the design of
proposed structures and the neighboring properties.
D. Provision shall be made for the proper location and adequate intensity and direction of outdoor lighting, so that lighting shall be reflected away from adjoining premises and public rights-of-way. The size, location, design, color, texture, lighting and materials of all signs shall not detract from the design of the proposed buildings and structures and the surrounding properties and streets or create confusion with other signs or for drivers of vehicles or pedestrians, and shall conform to the provisions of Article
X.
E. There shall be a careful review by the Borough Engineer, at the applicant's
expense, of the anticipated average and maximum rates of sewage flow
from any proposed structure, and a determination shall be made, to
the satisfaction of the Planning Board, that existing sewerage and
sewage treatment capacity are sufficiently adequate to convey and
treat such anticipated sewage flow.
F. The Planning Board, after consultation with the Borough Engineer,
shall determine that there is adequate provision for drainage from
the proposed site, such drainage to be so arranged that no deleterious
effect can reasonably be expected in this regard upon adjacent properties
or upon the general health and welfare of the community.
G. The Planning Board shall be assured that the proposed development
will not interfere with the ecological balance of the community or
the surrounding properties.
H. Adequate provision shall be made for the collection, disposition
and recycling of recyclable materials consistent with the goals of
the State Recycling Plan.