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City of Lambertville, NJ
Hunterdon County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Ord. No. 18-2016]
A sketch plat is required of all owners, as herein defined, seeking a subdivision for the purpose of classification and preliminary discussion so that they may obtain the advice of the Planning Board and other City Officials in the formative stages of the design, and for the purpose of assuring coordination with the Master Plan.
[Ord. 4/16/73; Ord. 2/17/76; Ord. No. 18-2016]
A. 
Submit to the Administrative Officer of the Planning Board at least 35 days prior to the regular meeting of the Board, two copies of the sketch plat application and 11 copies of the sketch plat of the proposed subdivision for the purposes of classification, preliminary discussion and appropriate action.
B. 
Immediately upon receipt of the copies of the sketch plat, the Secretary of the Planning Board shall forward one copy each to the County Planning Board, the City Engineer, the City Planning Consultant, and Zoning Officer for their review and comments, with the remaining copies retained by the Planning Board. If within 30 days after receiving said sketch plats, the County Planning Board, the City Engineer, the City Planning Consultant, and the Zoning Officer do not return their copies and any comments to the Secretary of the Planning Board, said sketch plats shall be deemed to have been approved by them.
C. 
Whenever a sketch plat of a minor subdivision is submitted for review which fronts on an existing street, three copies of deeds of dedication shall be included in the application to provide sufficient right-of-way where the existing street right-of-way is less than the minimum requirements of this ordinance or the adopted Master Plan. Whenever such land is dedicated in accordance with this section, the minimum required lot depth and lot area as required by this ordinance, or the Zoning Ordinance of the City shall be reduced by the same dimension and area as dedicated to the City if the developer has no other adjacent lands to provide the minimum requirements.
D. 
If the sketch plat is classified as a Major Subdivision, a notation to that effect shall be made on the plat together with any recommendations and comments from the Planning Board and returned to the subdivider for compliance with §§ 502 and 503 of this Ordinance.
E. 
If classified and approved as a minor subdivision by unanimous action of the Planning Board, a notation to that effect will be made on the sketch plat.
F. 
(Reserved)
G. 
Seven copies of the approved sketch plat of a Minor Subdivision shall be prepared and distributed by the City Clerk as follows:
1. 
City Clerk: 1 copy.
2. 
City Planning Board: 1 copy.
3. 
City Engineer: 1 copy.
4. 
Zoning Officer: 1 copy.
5. 
Tax Assessor: 1 copy.
6. 
County Planning Board: 1 copy.
7. 
Applicant: 1 copy.
H. 
The approved sketch plat of a minor subdivision shall be signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Planning Board and be returned to the subdivider within one week following the next regular meeting of the Planning Board.
I. 
The approval of a sketch plat of a minor subdivision shall expire 190 days from the date of approval unless within such period either a deed or plat map drawn in compliance with N.J.S.A. 46:23-9.9 et seq., as amended, is filed by the subdivider with the County Recording Officer and a copy of such deed or plat map together with the date and index reference of the filing with the County Recording Officer is filed with the Municipal Engineer and the Municipal Tax Assessor and Administrative Officer of the Planning Board and the City Clerk.
J. 
At the time of submission of a sketch plat to the Administrative Officer of the Planning Board a filing fee shall be paid to the Administrative Officer of the Planning Board as stated in Zoning § 800 to cover the cost of review.
[Ord. No. 18-2016]
The sketch plat shall be based on tax map information or some other similarly accurate base at a scale preferably not smaller than 100 feet to the inch to enable the entire tract to be shown on one sheet and shall show or include the following information:
A. 
A Key Map showing the location and approximate area of the subdivision in relation to the City.
B. 
A map of the entire tract(s) of land being subdivided showing all existing and proposed property lines, tax map sheet number, block number and lot numbers, easements, rights-of-way, street names, power lines, structures, streams, drainage facilities, and wooded areas within the area of the entire tract, and within 500 feet thereof.
C. 
A title block giving the name of the subdivision, the present owner of the land present owner of all adjacent properties, name and license number of the person who prepared the map, scale of the map, north arrow, proposed number of dwelling units and type, if any, and space for the signatures of the Chairman and Administrative Officer of the Planning Board.
D. 
All plats shall conform to the requirements of the City Zoning Ordinance.
The preliminary plat and the supporting documents for a proposed subdivision constitute the material to be officially submitted to the Planning Board. They show the general design of the subdivision and its public improvements so that the Planning Board can indicate its approval or disapproval of the subdivision prior to the time that the final plat, including the design and detailing of the public improvements and utilities, is completed.
[Ord. No. 18-2016]
A. 
A Preliminary Plat shall be submitted to the Secretary of the Planning Board at least 10 days prior to the Planning Board meeting at which consideration is desired. It shall be submitted in at least 11 blue or black on white prints and shall be accompanied by three completed copies of the application for preliminary approval as well as three copies of any protective covenants or deed restrictions applying to the land being subdivided. In addition, the subdivider shall make applications to the County Planning Board for approval of the plat in accordance with the procedures established by the County.
B. 
At the time of submission, a fee as established in Zoning § 800 for each lot proposed in the subdivision shall be paid to the City to cover costs. If upon tentative approval the number of lots is less than originally proposed, a refund of $35 for each lot eliminated will be made to the subdivider.
C. 
The Subdivider shall mail a notice at least 10 days prior to the public hearing to all property owners within 200 feet of the extreme limits of the subdivision as their names appear on the City tax record and shall furnish the Planning Board with proof of such service. The subdivider shall cause notice of the hearing to be published in the official newspaper or a newspaper of general circulation in the city at least 10 days prior to the hearing. Such notice shall state the time and place of the hearing, a brief description of the property involved, a statement as to its location, a list of the maps and other documents to be considered, a summary statement of the matters to be heard and that a copy of said subdivision has been filed with the City Clerk for public inspection. (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-12). The subdivider shall furnish the Planning Board with proof of publication.
D. 
Submission of the preliminary plat shall include a letter directed to the Chairman of the Planning Board signed by a responsible official of: (1) the State Commissioner of Transportation and/or County Highway Department, approving proposed construction on State and/or County rights-of-way and (2) the State and local agency approving of the method of waste disposal and water distribution.
E. 
If the preliminary plat lies within 200 feet of another municipal boundary, a copy of the plat shall be sent by the Administrative Officer of the Planning Board to the Clerk of the adjoining municipality. A written statement shall be requested from the adjoining municipality indicating whether the proposed subdivision is in reasonable harmony with its plans for development. The Secretary of the Planning Board of the adjoining community shall be informed of the date of the public hearing and any communications received prior to this date will be considered in relation to the approval or disapproval of the plat.
F. 
A letter directed to the Chairman of the Planning Board signed by the Secretary or a responsible official as designated by the Board of Education shall be requested by the Planning Board acknowledging the number of residential units and indicating the availability of school sites and facilities which relate to the subdivision area.
G. 
The Administrative Officer shall retain one complete set of maps and application forms of the preliminary submission for the Planning Board and one complete set of plans shall be forwarded by the Secretary immediately upon receipt of the plans to the following:
1. 
City Clerk.
2. 
County Planning Board.
3. 
City Engineer.
4. 
Zoning Official.
5. 
Secretary of the Board of Health.
6. 
Planning Board of adjoining municipality where applicable according to § 502.2E.
7. 
Such other Municipal, County or State officials as directed by the Planning Board.
H. 
The Planning Board shall take formal action either approving or disapproving the preliminary plat within 45 days after its submission to the Administrative Officer of the Planning Board, but in no case before a public hearing is held or before the expiration of the thirty-day period within which the County Planning Board may submit a report on said subdivision. The recommendations of the County Planning Board shall be given due consideration in the final decision on the plat.
I. 
If the plat is disapproved, by either the City or the County, the reasons for disapproval shall be given in writing to the subdivider within the ninety-day period, and, in appropriate cases, shall be remedied by the subdivider prior to further consideration of the plan.
J. 
If the Planning Board acts favorable on a preliminary plat, the Chairman and Administrative Officer shall affix their signature to the plat with the notation that it has received tentative approval and the plat shall be returned to the subdivider for compliance with final approval requirements.
K. 
Tentative approval shall confer upon the applicant the following rights for a three-year period from the date of tentative approval:
1. 
That the general terms and conditions upon which the tentative approval was granted will not be changed.
2. 
That the said applicant may submit on or before the expiration date, the whole, or part or parts of said plat for final approval.
A. 
The preliminary plat shall be clearly and legibly drawn or reproduced at a scale of not smaller than one inch equals 100 feet and shall be designed by a licensed N.J. land surveyor, or a licensed N.J. professional engineer. The plat shall be designed in compliance with the provisions of § 600 of this Ordinance and shall show or be accompanied by the information required in § 502.3B.
B. 
The preliminary plat shall include the following information and shall show the location of the proposed site and approximate area of the subdivision in relation to the City.
1. 
Title Block.
a. 
Name of subdivision.
b. 
Name of address of subdivider.
c. 
Name and address of the owner of record.
d. 
Name and address of all property owners within 200 feet of the extreme limits of the subdivision.
e. 
Name, address and profession of the person who prepared the drawing together with his license number and seal.
f. 
Acreage of tract to be subdivided to nearest tenth of an acre.
g. 
Proposed number of dwelling units and type.
h. 
Scale.
i. 
Date of submission of each plat and of each subsequent revised subdivision.
2. 
Sufficient elevation or contours to determine the general slope and natural drainage of the land to points extending 200 feet beyond the subdivision boundary.
3. 
North Arrow.
4. 
Subdivision boundary line (heavy solid line).
5. 
The location of existing watercourses and any natural features such as wooded area and rock formations to the proper scales both within the proposed site and within 200 feet of its boundary.
6. 
a. 
Street rights-of-way of subdivision and within 200 feet of its boundaries.
(1) 
Name of each street.
(2) 
Location and width.
(3) 
Centerline elevation at intersections and other critical points.
(4) 
Typical cross sections and centerline profiles for all proposed new streets.
b. 
Other rights-of-way and easements on the subdivision and within 200 feet of its boundaries.
(1) 
Identification and description.
(2) 
Location and width.
(3) 
Restrictions of use, if any.
c. 
Drainage structures on the subdivision and within 200 feet of its boundaries.
(1) 
Type of structure.
(2) 
Location, invert elevations, gradients, and sizes of all pipe and of all other structures where applicable.
d. 
Other utility structures such as water, sewer and gas mains and power lines on the subdivision and within 200 feet of its boundaries.
(1) 
Location and size or capacity.
e. 
Marshes, ponds, streams and land subject to periodic flooding on the subdivision and within 200 feet of its boundaries showing the location and area covered and indicating apparent high water level.
f. 
Lot Layout.
(1) 
Lot lines and dimensions of each lot to the nearest foot.
(2) 
Building setback lines (dashed) and its dimensions from the street line.
(3) 
Existing zoning and the boundaries thereof.
(4) 
Identification of lots or parcels for land use and land to be reserved or dedicated to public use, if any.
(5) 
Easements and restricted areas with notation as to purpose of restrictions.
g. 
Building and other structures located on the subdivision and within 200 feet of its boundaries.
h. 
All plats shall conform to the requirements of the City Zoning Ordinance.
Before consideration of a final subdivision plat, the subdivider shall have installed or shall have posted adequate performance guarantees to assure the installation of the required improvements in accordance with § 700.
A final plat and supporting drawings and documents for a proposed subdivision constitute the complete development of the subdivision proposal and include the recommendations resulting from the Planning Board review of the preliminary plat as well as the detailed layout drawings for the public improvements and utilities. After public hearing and approval by the Planning Board, this complete submission accompanied by the performance guarantee according to § 700 and the provision of the liability insurance policy as approved by the governing body according to § 800 of this Ordinance, becomes the basis for the construction of the subdivision and inspection service by the City and Planning Board. The plat itself must be recorded at the County Recorder's Office to have legal status. An unrecorded plat is not a valid basis for site improvements or other commitments which depend on its design characteristics.
[Ord. No. 18-2016]
A. 
A final plat shall be submitted by the subdivider or his agent to the Secretary of the Planning Board within three years from the date of approval of the preliminary plat. The final plat and all supporting drawings and documents shall be submitted to the Administrative Officer of the Planning Board at least 10 days prior to a meeting date in order to be heard at that particular meeting. The Planning Board shall act upon the final plat within 45 days after the regular meeting at which it is presented for final approval or within such further time as the applying party may agree to.
B. 
Before making application to the Planning Board for final approval, the subdivider shall carry out the following steps:
1. 
Make all required corrections requested subject to preliminary plat approval.
2. 
Complete three copies of an application for final approval.
3. 
Pay the required application and inspection fee at the City Clerk's Office. (See § 503.2L).
4. 
Obtain a general liability insurance policy and submit a copy to the City Clerk for submission to the City Attorney for approval as to form. (See § 800)
5. 
Prepare prints for distribution and filing with the following:
a. 
County Planning Board 1 Copy.
b. 
City Clerk 1 Copy.
c. 
Planning Board 3 Copies.
d. 
City Engineer 1 Copy.
e. 
Zoning Officer 1 Copy.
f. 
Applicant 1 Copy.
C. 
The final plat shall be accompanied by a statement by the City Engineer certifying the accuracy of the details of the plat, and that he is in receipt of a map or maps showing in exact location and elevation, the water, sanitary and storm sewer mains and streets identifying those portions already installed and those to be installed and that the subdivider has posted the performance guarantee required in accordance with § 700 of this Ordinance.
D. 
The final plat shall be accompanied by letters directed to the Chairman of the Planning Board and signed by a responsible official of the water company, government authority or district which provides water, sanitary or storm sewer service that has jurisdiction in the area approving each proposed utility installation design and stating who will construct the facility so that service will be available when required in conformity with the provisions of the filed rate schedule.
E. 
Submission of the final plat shall include of three copies each Deeds of Dedication for all properties including any streets rights-of-way to be offered to the City for dedication.
F. 
If the Planning Board approves a final plat a notation to that effect shall be made on three copies of the plat and shall be signed by the Chairman and Administrative Officer of the Planning Board.
G. 
Failure of the Planning Board to act within 45 days or a mutually agreed upon extension shall be deemed to be favorable approval and the Secretary of the Planning Board shall issue a certificate to that effect.
H. 
The final plat, after final approval shall be filed by the Subdivider with the County Recording Officer within 95 days from the date of such approval. No plat shall be accepted for filing by the County Recording Officer unless it has been duly approved by the Planning Board and signed by the Chairman and Administrative Officer. If any final plat is not filed within this period, the approval shall expire.
I. 
Expiration of approval shall mean the previous approval by the Planning Board is null and void and, in order to obtain a reapproval a new filing fee as well as a review of all previous findings must be conducted.
J. 
Upon application by the subdivider showing good cause, the Planning Board may make a reasonable extension of the time within which the subdivider must file with the County Recording Officer provided, however, that the plat be revised according to any change in regulations or ordinances applicable to the plat subsequent to the original time period of 95 days or the extended period of time granted by the Board.
K. 
If any person shall be aggrieved by the action of the Planning Board, appeal in writing to the Governing Body may be taken within 10 days after the date of the action of the Planning Board. A hearing thereon shall be had on notice to all parties in interest who shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard. After such hearing the Governing Body may affirm or reverse the action of the Planning Board by a recorded vote of a majority of the total members thereof. The findings and reasons for the disposition of the appeal shall be stated on the records of the Governing Body, and the applying party shall be given a copy.
L. 
Each application submitted for final approval of final plat shall be accompanied by a fee payable to the City of Lambertville as stated in Zoning § 800 for each lot or dwelling unit shown on the final plat to cover costs. An additional fee of the amount of the performance guarantee estimate shall be paid to the City upon approval of plans for improvements and cost estimates by the City Engineer to cover the cost of engineering inspections of construction work. If the inspection costs exceed such fund, the subdivider shall deposit with the City additional sums upon notice from the City Engineer. The Chief Financial Officer shall return any balance of the inspection deposit to the subdivider upon expiration of the maintenance bond.
A. 
The final plat for all, part, or parts of the subdivision shall be drawn in ink on tracing cloth with 12 copies at a scale of not less than one inch equals 100 feet and in compliance with all the requirements for filing a map with the County Recording Officer and shall be designed in compliance with the provisions of § 600 of this Ordinance. The final plat shall show or be accompanied by the same information required for preliminary approval in addition to the following:
1. 
Each block and lot shall be numbered in conformity to existing tax map procedures.
2. 
Bearing or deflection angles and radii, arcs and center angles of all curves.
3. 
Contours at two foot intervals extending 200 feet beyond the boundary of the subdivision.
4. 
Certification that the applicant is agent or owner of the land, or that the owner has given consent under an option agreement for the dedication of streets, alleys, easements and other rights-of-way and any lands for public uses.
5. 
Certification from the tax collector that all taxes are paid to date.
6. 
At least one corner of the subdivision shall be tied to a U.S.G.S. benchmark or benchmarks with date on the plat as to how the bearings were determined. Monuments, lots, corners and other survey points shall be located and described. (See § 607)
7. 
When approval of the plat is required by any officer or body of the City, County, or State, approval shall be certified on that plat.
8. 
Public Improvement and Utility plans and profiles are declared an integral part of the final plat submission and compliance therewith and with the final plat itself, this subdivision ordinance and the City's specifications for public improvements and utilities as mentioned in § 600 shall be secured by the performance guarantee. The plans of the basic improvements and utilities shall include:
a. 
The same area with the same scale and title block as required on the preliminary plat. (See § 502.3.B.1.)
b. 
Other details as specified in §§ 608 and 609.
B. 
All plats shall conform to the requirements of the city Zoning Ordinance.
[Ord. No. 18-2016]
A. 
The Administrative Officer of the Planning Board shall file copies of the final approved plat with:
1. 
City Clerk.
2. 
City Engineer.
3. 
Zoning Officer.
4. 
Board of Tax Assessors.
5. 
County Planning Board.
6. 
Sanitary Inspector.
7. 
Planning Board.
8. 
Police Department.
9. 
Official issuing certificate for approved lots.
[Ord. No. 18-2016]
The prospective purchaser, prospective mortgagee, or any other person interested in any land which forms part of a subdivision, or which, since the 13th day of June, 1951, formed part of such a subdivision, may apply in writing to the Administrative Officer of the Planning Board, for the issuance of a certificate certifying whether or not such subdivision has been approved by the Planning Board. Such application shall contain a diagram showing the location and dimension of the land to be covered by the certificate, and the name of the owner thereof.
The Administrative Officer of the Planning Board shall issue such certificate within 15 days after the receipt of such written application and the fees therefor and shall keep a duplicate copy of each certificate, consecutively numbered in a binder as a permanent record of his office.
Each such certificate shall be designated a "Certificate as to Approval of Subdivision of Land", and shall certify:
A. 
That there exists in said municipality a duly established Planning Board which meets regularly on a monthly or more frequent basis and that there is an ordinance controlling subdivisions of land, adopted under the authority of state law.
B. 
Whether the subdivision or resubdivision, as it relates to the land shown in said application, has been approved by the Planning Board, and, if so, the date of such approval.
C. 
Whether such subdivision or resubdivision, if the same has not been approved, is exempt from the requirement of approval as provided in the Subdivision Ordinance.