Municipal Master Plans include well thought out, long-term decisions
about the development capacity of community.
Municipal Master Plans are implemented through the enactment
of local land use ordinances; and
Deviations from these local ordinances by way of variances pursuant
to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70d and N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70c, exceptions and waivers
pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-51 provide opportunities for significant
private gain.
Applicants for planned developments, as defined in N.J.S.A.
40:55D-6 often deviate from the goals of the municipal Master Plan
and provide opportunities for significant private gain.
Openness in government and a fair and impartial variance, waiver
and exception and planned development application process is crucial
to assuring the continuing integrity of the municipal Master Plan,
its implementing ordinances and the integrity of the variance application
process.
Disclosure of political contributions by property owners, developers
and professionals will enhance the city's existing commitment
to openness in government and provide further guarantees for a fair
and impartial variance, waiver and exception application process.
Disclosure of political contributions by property owners, developers
and professionals will effectuate the purposes of the Municipal Land
Use Law to promote morals and the general welfare.
It is determined that advancement of the public interest, the
city's commitment to openness in government, fair and impartial
variance, waiver and exception application process, and integrity
in the municipal planning process requires the supplementation of
the municipal application checklist to mandate the listing of specified
political contributions made by property owners, developers, the professionals
whose services they use in applications for major variances, waivers
and exceptions, lobbyists and all advocates for the applicant.