[Ord. #528]
The intent and purpose of this chapter is:
a. To guide the appropriate use of development of all land in Hopewell
Township in a manner which will promote the public health, safety,
morals, and general welfare;
b. To secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other natural and man-made
disasters;
c. To provide adequate light, air and open space;
d. To ensure that the development of individual municipalities does
not conflict with the development and general welfare of neighboring
municipalities, the county and the State as a whole;
e. To promote the establishment of appropriate population densities
and concentrations that will contribute to the well being of persons,
neighborhoods, communities and regions and preservation of the environment;
f. To encourage the appropriate and efficient expenditure of public
funds by the coordination of public development with land use policies;
g. To provide sufficient space in appropriate locations for a variety
of agricultural, residential, recreational, commercial and industrial
uses and open space, both public and private, according to their respective
environmental requirements in order to meet the needs of all New Jersey
citizens;
h. To encourage the location and design of transportation routes which
will promote the free flow of traffic while discouraging location
of such facilities and routes which result in congestion or blight;
i. To promote a desirable visual environment through creative development
techniques and good civic design and arrangements;
j. To promote the conservation of open space and valuable natural resources
and to prevent urban sprawl and degradation of the environment through
improper use of land;
k. To encourage coordination of the various public and private procedures
and activities shaping land development with a view of lessening the
cost of such development and to the more efficient use of land.
[Ord. #528; Ord. #94-982]
a. Changes in Zoning. The township committee may amend or adopt the
zoning ordinance as provided in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-62.
b. Referral to Planning Board of Proposed Development Regulations. Prior
to the adoption of a zoning ordinance or any other development regulation
or any revision or amendment thereto, the township committee shall
refer the proposal to the planning board, as provided in N.J.S.A.
40:55D-26.
c. Notice of Hearing on Ordinance.
1. Notice by personal service or certified mail shall be made to the
clerk of an adjoining municipality of all hearings on the adoption,
revision or amendment of a development regulation involving property
situated within 200 feet of such adjoining municipality at least 10
days prior to the date of any such hearing.
2. Notice by personal service or certified mail shall be made to the
county planning board of all hearings on the adoption, revision or
amendment of any development regulation at least 10 days prior to
the date of the hearing. Any notice provided hereunder shall include
a copy of the proposed development regulation, or any proposed revision
or amendment thereto, as the case may be.
3. Notice of hearings to be held pursuant to this section shall state
the date, time and place of the hearing and the nature of the matters
to be considered. Any notice by certified mail pursuant to this section
shall be deemed complete upon mailing.
d. Filing of Ordinances. The zoning, subdivision, site plan review ordinances
or any revision or amendment thereto shall not take effect until a
copy thereof shall be filed with the Mercer County Planning Board.
e. Filing of Development Regulations. Copies of all development regulations
and any revisions or amendments thereto shall be filed and maintained
in the office of the township clerk.
f. Administrative Officer. Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-3, the planning
coordinator is hereby designated as the administrative officer. The
planning coordinator may also serve as planning board secretary.
[Ord. #528; Ord. #95-1010]
The township committee may, by ordinance, adopt an official
map as provided in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-32.
a. Notice of Action on Official Map. Such notices shall be given as
provided in N.J.S.A. 40:55D-15.
b. Change or Addition to Official Map. The approval by the township
of provisions affecting the official map shall be subject to the provisions
of N.J.S.A. 40:55D-33.