The subdivision plat shall conform to design standards that
will encourage good development patterns within the municipality.
Where either, or both, an Official Map or Master Plan has or have
been adopted, the subdivision shall conform to the proposals and conditions
shown thereon. Streets, drainage rights-of-way, school sites, public
parks and playgrounds shown on an officially adopted Master Plan or
Official Map shall be considered in the review and approval of subdivision
plats. Where no Master Plan or Official Map exists, streets and drainage
rights-of-way shall be shown on the final plat in accordance with
N.J.R.S. 40:55D-41 and 40:55D-44 and shall be designed so as to lend
themselves to the harmonious development of the municipality and enhance
the public welfare in accordance with the design standards in the
following sections.
The arrangements and right-of-way widths of streets not shown
on the Master Plan or Official Map shall be such as to provide for
the appropriate extension of existing streets.
Minor streets shall be designed to discourage through traffic;
the right-of-way width shall be measured from lot line to lot line;
and the Planning Board shall determine the width of the public right-of-way
and paved portion thereof. In no event shall the width of the right-of-way
be less than fifty (50) feet and the width of the paved portion less
than thirty (30) feet. All streets, whether private or public, shall
meet the minimum standards for public streets set forth in this Chapter
and in the Master Plan.
Subdivisions which adjoin or include existing streets that do
not conform to widths as shown on the Master Plan or Official Map
or the street width requirements of Township Codes shall dedicate
additional width along either one (1) or both sides of the street.
If the subdivision is along one (1) side only, one-half (1/2) of the
required extra width shall be dedicated.
The arrangement of streets shall conform to the circulation
element of the Master Plan or Official Map for the community.
Block length and width or acreage within bounding roads shall
be such as to accommodate the lot sizes required in the area by the
Zoning Chapter of this Code and to provide for convenient access,
circulation control and safety of street traffic.
All subdivisions shall be designed so as to minimize changes
in existing grades and to preserve natural features, such as trees
greater than four (4) inches in diameter, wooded areas, brooks, hilltops,
views and vistas, rock outcrops, as well as environmentally sensitive
areas including wetlands, steep slopes, areas with seasonal high water
table within one and a half feet of the surface and water bodies.
In addition to the provisions of this subsection the developer shall
also be required to comply with all the provisions of the township
ordinance regulating the removal or destruction of trees.
Planned unit residential developments and residential cluster
developments shall be required to provide open space as specified
in the zoning ordinance. Developed open space shall be designed to
provide active recreational facilities in accordance with National
Recreation Association standards to serve the residents of the development.
Undeveloped open space shall be designed to preserve important site
amenities and environmentally sensitive areas. Stormwater detention
facilities are not considered as part of the required open space unless
the approving agency finds that such a facility is designed to also
serve as an open space amenity. Direct access shall be provided to
open space from the residences.