[Amended 11-12-91 by Ord. No. 91-111; 6-10-92 by Ord. No. 92-19; 4-22-96 by Ord. No. 96-8; 1-25-99 by Ord. No. 99-4; 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06; 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05; 4-9-12 by Ord. No. 12-02]
For the purposes of this Ordinance, unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning, the term "shall" indicates a mandatory requirement, and the term "may" indicates a permissive action. The singular shall also mean the plural and person(s) shall also mean other legal entities. All definitions in Chapter 228, Zoning, shall also apply to this Ordinance.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
The Director of Planning & Engineering or Designee unless a different township official or officials are designated by this chapter as defined elsewhere or by state statute.
[Amended 1-25-99 by Ord. No. 99-4]
APPLICANT
A person submitting an application for development.
APPLICATION FOR DEVELOPMENT
The application form and all accompanying documents required of an applicant by ordinance for approval of a subdivision, site plan, planned development, conditional use, zoning variance or direction of the issuance of a permit pursuant to this chapter.
APPROVING AUTHORITY
The Planning Board of the Township of East Brunswick, unless a different agency is designated by this chapter, when acting pursuant to the authority of this chapter.
BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
The Board established pursuant to Section 56 of the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law. Also known as the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
[Amended 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
BUILDING
A combination of materials to form a construction adapted to permanent, temporary or continuous occupancy and having a roof.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
A governmental acquisition of real property or a major construction project.
CIRCULATION
Systems, structures and physical improvements for the movement of people, goods, water, air, sewage or power by such means as streets, highways, railways, waterways, towers, airways, pipes and conduits and the handling of people and goods by such means as terminals, stations, warehouses and other storage buildings or transshipment points.
COMPLETE APPLICATION
An application form completed as specified by ordinance and the rules and regulations of the municipal agency and all accompanying documents required by ordinance for approval of the application for development, including, where applicable, but not limited to, a site plan or subdivision plat; provided that the municipal agency may require such additional information not specified in the ordinance or any revisions in the accompanying documents as are reasonably necessary to make an informed decision as to whether the requirements necessary for approval of the application for development have been met. The application shall not be deemed incomplete for any lack of such additional information or any revisions in accompanying documents so required by municipal agencies. An application shall be certified as complete immediately upon the meeting of all requirements specified in the ordinance and in the rules and regulations of the municipal agency, and shall be deemed completed as of the day it is so certified by the Director of Planning & Engineering or designee for purposes of the commencement of the time period for action by the municipal agency.
[Amended 1-25-99 by Ord. No. 99-4]
CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL
Includes all testimony, other agency approvals, bonds and all requirements stated in the resolution of approval.
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 the Zoning Ordinance and upon the issuance of an authorization therefor by the Planning Board.
[Amended 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
CONTROLLED ACCESS HIGHWAYS
Those that are used by heavy-duty traffic and which permit no access from abutting property.
[Added 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
CONVENTIONAL
Development other than planned development or cluster development.
COUNTY MASTER PLAN
A composite of the Master Plan for the physical development of Middlesex County with the accompanying maps, plats, charts and descriptive and explanatory matter, adopted by the County Planning Board pursuant to N.J.R.S. 40:27-2 and N.J.R.S. 40:27-4.
COUNTY PLANNING BOARD
The Middlesex County Planning Board.
DAYS
Calendar days.
DESIGNATED OPEN SPACE
A parcel or parcels of land or an area of water or a combination of land and water, within the site designated for a planned unit residential development or cluster development and designed or intended for the use or enjoyment of residents and owners of the planned unit residential development or cluster development. Designated open space may contain such complementary structures and improvements as are necessary and appropriate for the benefit and enjoyment of residents of the planned unit residential development or cluster development.
DESIGNEE
The person appointed by the Director of Planning & Engineering to perform a specified function or duty assigned to such administrative officer by this chapter.
[Amended 1-25-99 by Ord. No. 99-4; 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
DESIGN ENGINEER
A person professionally qualified and duly licensed in New Jersey to perform engineering services that may include, but not necessarily be limited to, development of project requirements, creation and development of project design and preparation of drawings and specifications.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
DENSITY
The permitted number of dwelling units per gross area of land to be developed.
DEVELOPER
The legal or beneficial owner or owners of a lot or of any land proposed to be included in a proposed development, including the holder of an option or contract to purchase or other person having an enforceable proprietary interest in such land.
DEVELOPMENT
The division of a parcel of land into two (2) or more parcels; the construction, reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation or enlargement of any building or other structure or of any mining, excavation or landfill; and any use or change in the use of any building or other structure or land or extension of use of land, for which permission may be required pursuant to this chapter.
DEVELOPMENT REGULATION
A zoning ordinance, subdivision ordinance, site plan ordinance, official map ordinance or other municipal regulation of the use and development of land, or amendment thereto, adopted and filed pursuant to law.
DRAINAGE
The removal of surface water or groundwater from land by drains, grading or other means and includes control of runoff during and after construction or development to minimize erosion and sedimentation, to assure the adequacy of existing and proposed culverts and bridges, to induce water recharge into the ground where practical, to lessen nonpoint pollution, to maintain the integrity of stream channels for their biological functions, as well as for drainage and the means necessary for water supply preservation or prevention or alleviation of flooding.
DRAINAGE AREA
A geographic area within which stormwater, sediments, or dissolved materials drain to a particular receiving waterbody or to a particular point along a receiving waterbody.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION
The East Brunswick Environmental Commission appointed by the Mayor pursuant to Chapter 3-94.
ENVIRONMENTALLY CRITICAL AREAS
An area or feature which is of significant environmental value, including but not limited to: stream corridors; natural heritage priority sites; habitat of endangered or threatened species; large areas of contiguous open space or upland forest; steep slopes; and well head protection and groundwater recharge areas. Habitats of endangered or threatened species are identified using the Department's Landscape Project as approved by the Department's Endangered and Nongame Species Program.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
EROSION
The detachment and movement of soil or rock fragments by water, wind, ice or gravity.
FINAL APPROVAL
The official action of the Planning Board taken on a preliminary approved development plan after all conditions, engineering plans and other requirements have been completed or fulfilled and the required improvements have been installed or guarantees properly posted for their completion, or an approval conditioned upon the posting of such guarantees.
FLOOR AREA RATIO (F.A.R.)
The sum of the area of all floors of buildings or structures compared to the total area of the site.
GOVERNING BODY
The Township Council of the Township of East Brunswick.
HISTORIC DISTRICT
One or more historic sites and intervening or surrounding property significantly affecting or affected by the quality and character of the historic site or sites.
HISTORIC SITE
Real property, man-made structures, natural object or configuration or any portion or group of the foregoing which have been formally designated in the Master Plan as being of historical, archaeological, cultural, scenic or architectural significance.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
A created surface that prevents or impedes the absorption of stormwater into the ground, including but not limited to brick, stone, concrete, asphalt or building rooftops, placed on the land to occupy, facilitate passage, recreation or decoration. Retaining walls are included as an impervious surface.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06; amended 4-9-12 by Ord. No. 12-02]
INFILTRATION
The process by which water seeps into the soil from precipitation.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
INTERESTED PARTY
(1) 
In a criminal or quasi-criminal proceeding, any citizen of the State of New Jersey.
(2) 
In the case of a civil proceeding in any court or in an administrative proceeding before a municipal agency, any person, whether residing within or without the municipality, whose right to use, acquire or enjoy property is or may be affected by any action taken under this chapter or whose right to use, acquire or enjoy property under this chapter or under any other law of this state or of the United States has been denied, violated or infringed by an action or a failure to act under this chapter.
LAND
Includes improvements and fixtures on, above or below the surface.
[Amended 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
LOCAL STREETS
Those used to provide access to abutting property and to discourage through traffic.
[Added 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
LOW OR MODERATE INCOME HOUSING
Wherever this phrase is used, it includes but is not limited to housing at the least or lowest cost possible and feasible, conforming to state and federal definitions for low-and moderate-income housing, consistent with minimum standards of health and safety.
MAINTENANCE GUARANTEE
Any security which may be accepted by a municipality for the maintenance of any improvements required by this chapter, including but not limited to surety bonds, letters of credit, and cash.
[Amended 6-10-92 by Ord. No. 92-19]
MAJOR ARTERIAL STREETS
Those which are used primarily for heavy local and through traffic.
[Added 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
MAJOR COLLECTOR STREETS
Those which carry traffic from minor streets to the major thoroughfares, including the principal entrance streets of a residential development and streets for circulation within such a development.
[Added 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT
Any "development" or "redevelopment" that provides for disturbance of one quarter (1/4) or more acres of land. Disturbance for the purpose of this rule is the placement of impervious surface or exposure and/or movement of soil or bedrock or clearing, cutting, or removing of vegetation.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
MAJOR SUBDIVISION
Any subdivision not classified as a minor subdivision.
MARGINAL SERVICE STREETS
Those which are parallel or adjacent to controlled access highways or arterials and which provide access to abutting properties and protection from through traffic.
[Added 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
MASTER PLAN
A composite of one (1) or more written or graphic proposals for the development of the municipality as set forth in and adopted pursuant to this chapter.
MAYOR
The chief executive of the Township of East Brunswick.
MINOR ARTERIAL STREETS
Those with signals at important intersections and stop signs at side streets, and which collects and distributes traffic to and from collector streets.
[Added 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
MINOR COLLECTOR STREETS
Those which are used primarily for access to the abutting properties.
[Added 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
MINOR SITE PLAN
A development plan of one or more lots which (1) proposes new development within the scope of development specifically permitted by ordinance as a minor site plan; (2) does not involve planned development, any new street or extension of any off tract improvement which is to be prorated pursuant to this code; and (3) contains the information reasonably required in order to make an informed determination as to whether the requirements established by ordinance for approval of a minor site plan have been met.
[Amended 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
MINOR SUBDIVISION
A subdivision of land for the creation of not more than 3 lots; provided that such subdivision does not involve (1) a planned development, (2) any new street; or (3) the extension of any off tract improvement the cost of which is to be prorated pursuant to this code.
MUNICIPAL AGENCY
The East Brunswick Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment or the Township Council when acting pursuant to this chapter.
MUNICIPALITY
The Township of East Brunswick.
NONCONFORMING STRUCTURE
A structure the size, dimension or location of which was lawful prior to the adoption, revision or amendment of a zoning ordinance, but which fails to conform to the requirements of the zoning district in which it is located by reason of such adoption, revision or amendment.
NUTRIENT
A chemical element or compound, such as nitrogen or phosphorus, which is essential to and promotes the development of organisms.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
OFFICIAL COUNTY MAP
The map, with changes and additions thereto, adopted and established from time to time by resolution of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Middlesex County pursuant to N.J.R.S. 40:27-5.
OFF-SITE
Located outside the lot lines of the lot in question but within the property (of which the lot is a part) which is the subject of a development application or the closest half of the street or right-of-way abutting the property of which the lot is a part.
[Amended 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
OFF-TRACT
Not located on the property which is the subject of a development application nor on the closest half of an abutting street or right-of-way.
[Amended 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
ON-SITE
Located on the lot in question and excluding any abutting street or right-of-way.
[Amended 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
ON-TRACT
Located on the property which is the subject of a development application or on the closest half of an abutting street or right-of-way.
[Amended 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
OPEN SPACE
Any parcel or area of land and/or water essentially unimproved and set aside, dedicated, designated or reserved for public or private use or enjoyment or for the use and enjoyment of owners and occupants of land adjoining or neighboring such open space, provided that such areas may be improved with only those buildings, structures, streets and off-street parking and other improvements that are designed to be incidental to the natural openness of land.
PERFORMANCE GUARANTEE
Any security which may be accepted by a municipality, including but not limited to surety bonds, letters of credit and cash.
[Amended 6-10-92 by Ord. No. 92-19]
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, East Brunswick Township, or political subdivision of this State subject to municipal jurisdiction to the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
An area of a minimum contiguous size, as specified by ordinance to be planned and developed as a single entity according to a plan, containing one (1) or more residential clusters or planned unit residential developments and one (1) or more public, quasi-public, commercial or industrial areas in such ranges of ratios of nonresidential uses to residential uses as shall be specified in the Zoning Ordinance.
PLANNED UNIT RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT
An area of a minimum contiguous size, as specified by ordinance to be planned and developed as a single entity according to a plan, containing one (1) or more residential clusters, which may include appropriate commercial, public or quasi-public uses all primarily for the benefit of the residential development.
PLANNING BOARD
The East Brunswick Planning Board established pursuant to this chapter.
PLAT
A map or maps of a subdivision or site plan.
POLLUTANT
Any dredged spoil, solid waste, incinerator residue, filter backwash, sewage, garbage, refuse, oil, grease, sewage sludge, munitions, chemical wastes, biological materials, medical wastes, radioactive substance (except those regulated under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), thermal waste, wrecked or discarded equipment, rock, sand, cellar dirt, industrial, municipal, agricultural, and construction waste or runoff, or other residue discharged directly or indirectly to the land, ground waters or surface waters of the State, or to a domestic treatment works. "Pollutant" includes both hazardous and nonhazardous pollutants.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
PRELIMINARY APPROVAL
The conferral of certain rights pursuant to the applicable sections of this chapter, prior to final approval, after specific elements of a development plan have been agreed upon by the proper reviewing authority and the applicant.
PRELIMINARY FLOOR PLANS AND ELEVATIONS
Architectural drawings, prepared during early and introductory stages of the design of a project, illustrating in a schematic form its scope, scale and relationship to its site and immediate environs.
PUBLIC AREA
(1) 
Public parks, playgrounds, trails, paths and other recreational areas.
(2) 
Other public open spaces.
(3) 
Scenic and historic sites.
(4) 
Sites for schools and other public buildings and structures.
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
An open space area conveyed or otherwise dedicated to a municipality, municipal agency, board of education, state or county agency or other public body for recreational or conservational uses.
QUORUM
The majority of the full authorized membership of a municipal agency.
RECHARGE
The amount of water from precipitation that infiltrates into the ground and is not evapotranspired.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
RESIDENTIAL CLUSTER
An area to be developed as a single entity, according to a plan, containing residential housing units which have a common or public open space area as an appurtenance.
RESUBDIVISION
(1) 
The further division or relocation of lot lines of any lot or lots within a subdivision previously made and approved or recorded according to law; or
(2) 
The alteration of any streets or establishment of any new streets within any subdivision previously made and approved or recorded according to law, but does not include conveyances so as to combine existing lots by deed or other instrument.
SEDIMENT
A solid material, mineral or organic, that is in suspension, is being transported, or has been moved from its site of origin by air, water, ice, wind or gravity as a product of erosion.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
SEDIMENTATION
The deposition of soil that has been transported from its site of origin by water, ice, wind, gravity or other natural means as a product of erosion.
SITE
The Lot or lots upon which a major development is to occur or has occurred.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
SITE PLAN
A development plan of one (1) or more lots on which is shown:
(1) 
The existing and proposed conditions of the lot, including but not necessarily limited to topography, vegetation, drainage, floodplains, marshes and waterways;
(2) 
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; a narrative statement signed by the applicant and sworn to before a notary public or attorney of the State of New Jersey, setting forth the intended use of the property; and
(3) 
Any other information that may be reasonably required in order to make an informed determination pursuant to this chapter.
SOIL
All unconsolidated mineral and organic material of any origin.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
STORMWATER
Water resulting from precipitation (including rain and snow) that runs off the land's surface, is transmitted to the subsurface, or is captured by separate storm sewers or other sewage or drainage facilities, or conveyed by snow removal equipment.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT BASIN
An excavation or embankment and related areas designed to retain stormwater runoff. A stormwater management basin may either be normally dry (that is, a detention basin or infiltration basin), retain water in a permanent pool (a retention basin), or be planted mainly with wetland vegetation (most constructed stormwater wetlands).
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT MEASURE
Any structural or nonstructural strategy, practice, technology, process, program, or other method intended to control or reduce stormwater runoff and associated pollutants, or to induce or control the infiltration or groundwater recharge of stormwater or to eliminate illicit or illegal non-stormwater discharges into stormwater conveyances.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
STORMWATER RUNOFF
Water flow on the surface of the ground or in storm sewers, resulting from precipitation.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
STREET
Any street, avenue, boulevard, road, parkway, viaduct, drive or other way:
(1) 
Which is an existing state, county or municipal roadway; or
(2) 
Which is shown upon a plat heretofore approved pursuant to law; or
(3) 
Which is approved by official action as provided by this chapter;
(4) 
Which is shown on a plat duly filed and recorded in the office of the county recording officer prior to the appointment of a Planning Board and the grant to such Board of the power to review plats; and includes the land between the street lines, whether improved or unimproved, and may comprise pavement, shoulder, gutters, curbs, sidewalks, parking areas and other areas within the street lines.
STRUCTURE
A combination of materials to form a construction for occupancy, use or ornamentation, whether installed on, above or below the surface of a parcel of land.
SUBDIVISION
The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land into two (2) 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:
[Amended 1-25-99 by Ord. No. 99-4]
(1) 
Divisions of land found by the Planning Board to be for agricultural purposes where all resulting parcels are five (5) acres or larger in size;
(2) 
Divisions of property by testamentary or intestate provisions;
(3) 
Divisions of property upon court order including, but not limited to, judgment of foreclosure;
(4) 
Consolidation of existing lots by deed or other recorded instrument; and
(5) 
The conveyance of one (1) or more adjoining lots, tracts or parcels of land, owned by the same person or persons and all which are found and certified by the Director of Planning & Engineering or designee to conform to the requirements of this chapter and are shown and designated as separate lots, tracts or parcels on the Tax Map of this township. The term "subdivision" shall also include the terms "resubdivision" and "reverse subdivision."
[Amended 1-25-99 by Ord. No. 99-4]
THIS CHAPTER
When used herein, shall be construed to refer to all Articles and sections of the East Brunswick Township Land Use Ordinance, together with those sections of Chapters 132, 192, 228 and 49 which have not been specifically repealed by the enactment of this chapter, unless otherwise specified.
[Amended 5-9-11 by Ord. No. 11-05]
TIDAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA
A flood hazard area, which may be influenced by stormwater runoff from inland areas, but which is primarily caused by the Atlantic Ocean.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
TIME OF CONCENTRATION
The time it takes for runoff to travel from the hydraulically most distant point of the watershed to the point of interest within a watershed.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AREA
Previously developed portions of areas: (1) Delineated on the State Plan Policy Map (SPPM) as the Metropolitan Planning Area (PA1), Designated Centers, Cores or Nodes; (2) Designated as CAFRA Centers, Cores or Nodes; (3) Designated as Urban Enterprise Zones; and (4) Designated as Urban Coordinating Council Empowerment Neighborhoods.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
TRANSCRIPT
A typed or printed verbatim record of the proceedings or reproduction thereof.
VARIANCE
Permission to depart from the literal requirements of a zoning ordinance which may be granted pursuant to this chapter.
WATERS OF THE STATE
The ocean and its estuaries, all springs, streams, wetlands, and bodies of surface or ground water, whether natural or artificial, within the boundaries of the State of New Jersey or subject to its jurisdiction.
[Added 2-27-06 by Ord. No. 06-06]
WETLAND(S)
An area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, commonly known as hydrophytic vegetation.
All definitions contained in this chapter which are contrary to or inconsistent with the foregoing definitions are hereby repealed.