[Added 12-18-2014 by Ord.
No. 2014-16]
A. Purpose. It is the purpose of this zone to provide an area suitable
for businesses and services that is compatible with the character
and scale of the CR-513 corridor.
B. Permitted principal uses.
(1)
Retail stores, which sell goods or merchandise to the general
public.
[Amended 9-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-026]
(2)
Personal service establishments.
(3)
Business and professional offices.
(4)
Financial services.
[Amended 9-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-026]
(5)
Medical and health services.
(6)
Health clubs and/or fitness facilities.
(8)
Restaurants and taverns.
[Amended 9-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-026]
(9)
Municipal parks, playgrounds, buildings and other public buildings
of a governmental or cultural nature.
(10)
Mixed-use structures with a combination of two or more of the
permitted principal uses within the MUC Zone.
(11)
Live-work units, which are buildings that provide residential
and work space within the same structure typically with work space
on the ground floor and residential above. The work space shall comprise
at least 40% of the principal building's square footage. The building
shall be owner-occupied. Employees shall include the property owner
and may include nonresidents.
C. Permitted conditional uses.
(1)
Automobile repair, service, gas stations; conditions as follows:
(a)
The minimum lot area shall be 35,000 square feet.
(b)
The minimum lot frontage shall be 200 feet.
(c)
Rental of motor vehicles, RVs, trailers or boats may occur in
conjunction with a gas station so long as the rentals are kept in
neat order. Sales of motor vehicles, RVs, trailers and boats are prohibited.
(d)
No automobile repair work shall be done out of doors.
(e)
Parking spaces for customer vehicles awaiting repair and for
employees shall be separated from the driveway and general apron area
which gives access to gasoline pumps, air pumps and service bays.
No designated parking space shall obstruct access to such facilities.
(f)
Vehicles stored on the premises longer than five days must be
parked in the rear of the building or to the side if no rear area
exists. These long-term parking areas shall be screened from public
view as follows:
[1] A minimum landscaped buffer, five feet wide, shall
be provided along all property lines abutting public streets, except
where curb cuts are located. Said buffer shall be planted with a staggered
mixture of evergreens, deciduous shade trees and shrubs. When planted,
evergreens shall be a minimum of four feet in height, deciduous trees
shall be a minimum of three inches in caliper and shrubs shall be
a minimum of three feet in height.
(g)
Service and parking areas shall be screened from abutting residentially
zoned properties. A minimum six-foot-high, solid fence shall be erected
to screen adjacent residentially zoned properties.
(h)
Parked cars for scrap must be removed as soon as the titles
can be obtained.
(i)
No sale of junk car parts directly to the public shall be allowed.
(j)
Gasoline pumps and air pumps shall be placed within the required
front yard of the service station, but shall be no closer than 35
feet to the property line. A canopy may be provided over the gasoline
pumps provided said canopy is located no closer than 10 feet to the
property line.
(k)
All waste oil, antifreeze and heating oil tanks must be on a
concrete pad and have a cap to seal the top of the tanks.
(l)
Old parts and scrap steel must be stored in the side or rear
yard until picked up for scrap.
(m)
Dumpster(s) stored on the premises must be located in an accessible
area for pick up and clear in case of fire. Dumpsters shall not be
located in the front yard. Dumpsters shall not be visible from the
public right-of-way and shall be screened from view by a stockade
fence or evergreen landscaping.
(n)
Minor body repair and painting of vehicles shall be permitted
as an accessory use to a service station.
(2)
Public utility uses; refer to §
145-409 for conditions.
(3)
Wireless telecommunications equipment and facilities; refer to §
145-409 for conditions.
(4)
Clubs, lodges and fraternal organizations; conditions as follows:
(a)
The minimum lot area shall be 0.5 acre.
(b)
Parking facilities must be provided at a rate of one space per
100 square feet of gross floor area.
(5)
Multifamily residential above nonresidential uses, conditions
as follows:
[Added 6-28-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-026]
(a)
The minimum lot area shall be 25,000 square feet.
(b)
The minimum front yard setback shall be 15 feet.
(c)
The maximum front yard setback shall be 40 feet.
(d)
The minimum side yard setback shall be 10 feet, but in the case
where the adjacent use is a single-family home, the side yard setback
shall be 20 feet.
(e)
The minimum rear yard setback shall be 30 feet.
(f)
The maximum lot coverage shall be 80%.
(g)
The maximum building height shall be three stories and 45 feet.
(h)
The maximum density shall be 15 units per acre.
(i)
Ground floor uses shall be permitted MUC nonresidential uses;
however, a maximum of one handicapped adaptable residential unit may
be permitted on the ground floor, so long as the unit is located to
the rear of the nonresidential use(s) and is accessed from the side
or rear of the building.
(j)
A minimum of 20% of the units shall be reserved for affordable
housing. All affordable units shall be deed restricted for a minimum
of 30 years. The developer shall be responsible for retaining a qualified
administrative agent.
(k)
The following parameters shall not be considered a condition
of the use and if they cannot be met, shall be deemed a design waiver:
[1] Where the property abuts an existing single-family
home, a solid screen comprised of either a six-foot-tall fence or
evergreen shrubs six feet in height shall be installed to screen the
parking area and any visible trash areas.
[2] No dumpster or trash facilities shall be located
within 20 feet of a property line shared with an existing single-family
home.
[3] Off-street parking shall be provided for the residential units in accordance with the Residential Site Improvement Standards. All required residential parking shall be provided on site. Off-street parking for nonresidential uses shall comply with §
145-306B.
D. Permitted accessory uses.
(2)
Outdoor dining areas associated with a restaurant, however,
tables and chairs shall be secured at closing time.
(3)
Outdoor displays of goods shall be permitted during business
hours.
(4)
Massage, bodywork and somatic therapy shall be permitted as
an accessory use in the MUC Zone, provided the following requirements
are satisfied:
(a)
The use is accessory to one of the following principal uses:
beauty shop, salon, spa or sports therapy facility.
(b)
All persons employed by the establishment for the purpose of
conducting massage, bodywork or somatic therapy shall be certified
by the State of New Jersey pursuant to the Massage, Bodywork and Somatic
Therapist Certification Act.
(c)
A zoning permit specifically related to the accessory use shall
be obtained prior to the start of any such accessory use. There shall
be no violations of the Massage, Bodywork and Somatic Therapist Certification
Act or the regulations promulgated thereunder, as may be amended for
time to time. Any such violation shall result in an automatic rescission
of the zoning permit.
E. Prohibited uses.
(1)
The following uses are prohibited within the MUC Zone:
(a)
Retail stores where a single tenant is greater than 5,000 square
feet.
(b)
Twenty-four-hour-a-day operations and/or uses, except for municipal
uses and/or buildings.
(e) Drive-through facilities.
[Added 9-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-026]
(f)
Any use not permitted is prohibited in the MUC Zone.
F. Area, yard and building requirements.
(1)
Minimum lot area: 15,000 square feet.
(2)
Minimum lot frontage: 65 feet.
(3)
Minimum front yard setback: 10 feet.
(4)
Maximum front yard setback: 40 feet.
(5)
Minimum side yard setback: 10 feet.
(6)
Minimum rear yard setback: 30 feet.
(7)
Maximum lot coverage: 70%.
(8)
Maximum building height: three stories and 35 feet.
Before a construction permit or certificate of occupancy is
issued for any conditional use permitted by this chapter, application
shall be made to the Planning Board. The review by the Board of a
conditional use shall include any required site plan review pursuant
to this chapter. Public notice and a hearing shall be required as
stipulated in this chapter. Specific conditions applicable to permitted
conditional uses are as follows:
A. Public utility uses.
(1)
The proposed installation in a specified location must be reasonably
necessary for the satisfactory provision of service by the utility
to the neighborhood or area in which the particular use is located.
(2)
The design of any building in connection with such facilities
must not adversely affect the safe and comfortable enjoyment of property
in the surrounding area.
(3)
Adequate fences and other safety devices shall be provided if
required by the Board. Fences, when used to enclose public utility
facilities such as electrical power substations, shall be built in
accordance with the applicable requirements of the New Jersey Board
of Public Utility Commissioners and the National Electrical Code in
effect at the time of construction.
(4)
Landscaping, including shrubs and trees, shall be provided so
as to fully screen any such installation from public view and shall
be maintained.
(5)
Off-street parking shall be provided as necessary and as determined
by the Board during site plan review.
B. Automobile service stations.
[Amended 2-11-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-01]
(1)
The minimum lot area required for a service station shall be
one acre and the minimum frontage shall be 200 feet.
(2)
Gasoline pumps and air pumps shall be placed within the required
front yard of the service station but shall be no closer than 35 feet
to any existing or future street line. A canopy may be provided over
the gasoline pumps provided the said canopy should be no closer to
any street line than 20 feet. All waste oil, antifreeze and heating
oil tanks must be on a concrete pad and have a cap to seal the top
of the tanks. Old parts and scrap steel must be stored in side or
rear yard until picked up for scrap. Dumpster must be in an accessible
area for pick up and clear in case of fire.
(3)
Parking spaces for customer vehicles awaiting repair and for
employees shall be separated from the driveway and general apron area
which gives access to gasoline pumps, air pumps and service bays.
No designated parking space shall obstruct access to such facilities.
Parked cars for longtime repairs and restoration must be parked in
rear of building or to the side if no rear area exists in a neat and
orderly fashion and not in disarray. Parked cars towed in from accidents
and from impounds need to be kept in a neat fashion until picked up.
Parked cars for scrap must be removed as soon as title can be obtained.
No sale of junk car parts directly to the public shall be allowed.
(4)
Minor body repair and painting of vehicles shall be permitted
as an accessory use to a service station.
(5)
The exterior display and parking of motor vehicles, RVs, trailers,
boats and other similar equipment for sale or rent shall not be permitted
unless a state-issued used car license is secured at the location.
If said license is secured, exterior display and parking of motor
vehicles, RVs, trailers, boats and other similar equipment for sale
or rent must be on service station property and kept in neat order.
(6)
All of the other area, yard and general requirements for the
zone and other applicable requirements of this chapter shall be met.
C. Single-family cluster. In order to preserve and protect natural woodlands,
areas with shallow depth to seasonal high water table or bedrock,
and critical areas, and to provide open space area(s) to future residents
concurrent with development, modifications to conventional zoning
requirements may be reduced for single-family residential developments
provided all of the following requirements are met:
(1)
There is minimum tract area of nine acres.
(2)
The density shall not exceed one dwelling unit per 2.41 acres.
(3)
Each lot permitted under this section shall meet all of the
following minimum area and bulk requirements:
(a)
Minimum lot area: one acre.
(c)
Lot circle diameter: 150 feet.
(e)
Any one side yard: 30 feet.
(f)
Total of two side yards: 60 feet.
(g)
Accessory structures: fifteen-foot setbacks from side and rear
yards.
(h)
Maximum percentage of lot coverage: 20%.
(i)
Maximum height: 2 1/2 stories and 35 feet.
(4)
The developer shall further establish:
(a)
The adequacy of the septic system to service the development.
In the event that the applicant proposes to construct a common septic
system or sewerage treatment facility to service two or more units,
the plans for same must be reviewed and approved by the Borough Health
Officer and the Borough Engineer.
(b)
That recharge to the groundwater will be the same in the pre-
and postdevelopment conditions.
(c)
There is sufficient potable water available both as to quality
and quantity.
(d)
That the potential for flooding, excess runoff and surface erosion
has been considered and resolved to avoid adverse effects on the development
and on surrounding areas.
(e)
That cluster development will cause less destruction to wooded or natural areas than would conventional development. This finding must be documented in an environmental impact statement for the project (see §
145-604).
(f)
That all other engineering standards of the Land Use Development Ordinance consistent with this clustering alternative shall be complied with (e.g., critical area restrictions, §
145-312).
(g)
All the findings necessitated by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-45 have been
met.
(5)
An area for open space shall be created at such locations and
of such shape as approved by the Planning Board.
(6)
The deed creating any lot under this residential cluster option
shall contain reference to the filed subdivision map and a deed restriction
incorporating the zoning requirement that the total number of building
lots permitted on the original development parcel (gross land area)
is limited to the number which will not exceed one unit per 2.41 acres
and that future development of designated open space is prohibited.
This deed restriction shall be enforceable by the Borough of High
Bridge.
E. Public, private, parochial, and quasi-public schools and institutions
of higher learning.
(1)
The minimum lot area required for a school shall conform to
the zone, and the minimum lot frontage shall be 400 feet.
(2)
The lot shall have frontage on and direct access to a primary
municipal or county road.
(3)
Conditional use approval shall not be granted for a school unless
the Borough Board of Health has approved the adequacy of the water
supply and sewage treatment facilities which will serve the use.
(4)
The maximum permitted floor area ratio shall be 25%.
(5)
The maximum permitted impervious surface coverage shall be 60%.
(6)
Buildings shall have yard setbacks of at least 75 feet from
a street line (front yard) and 50 feet on a side or rear yard.
(7)
No active recreational area shall be located within 25 feet
of a property line nor within the front yard. Parking areas shall
have a setback at least 25 feet from a street line or property line,
whichever is closer.
(8)
All recreation and parking areas shall be screened from view from all property lines by landscaping in accordance with §
145-308D. The amount of parking shall be as provided in §
145-306C(3).
(9)
All exterior lighting, except that required for security purposes
shall be turned off between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Monday through
Saturday and between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. on Sunday.
(10)
The school shall not be run as a for-profit business.
(11)
All of the other area, yard, and general requirements for the
zone and other applicable requirements of this chapter shall be met.
F. Churches.
(1)
The minimum lot area required for a church shall conform to
the zone, and the minimum lot frontage shall be 200 feet.
(2)
The lot shall have frontage on and direct access to a primary
municipal or county road.
(3)
Conditional use approval shall not be granted for a church unless
the Borough Board of Health has approved the adequacy of the water
supply and sewage treatment facilities which will serve the use.
(4)
The maximum permitted floor area ratio shall be 15%.
(5)
The maximum permitted impervious surface (lot) coverage shall
be 40%.
(6)
A church shall have yard setbacks of at least 75 feet from a
street line (front yard) and 25 feet on a side or rear yard.
(7)
No parking shall be located within 25 feet of any property line nor within the front yard and the number of parking spaces provided shall be as stipulated in §
145-306C(3).
(8)
Parking areas shall be screened from view from all property lines by landscaping in accordance with §
145-308.
(9)
Accessory buildings, such as a parish house, and a clergyman's
residence, if provided, shall be located within the required setback
lines for the principal building and, if not connected, shall be located
a minimum distance from one another of 30 feet.
(10)
If a residence for the pastor/clergyman is located on a separate
lot from the church, the lot shall conform to the residential zone
in which it is located. If the lot is located in the DB Zone, then
the bulk requirements that apply are the ones required for the R-4
Zone.
(11)
All of the other area, yard, and general requirements for the
zone and other applicable requirements of this chapter shall be met.
G. Museums, art galleries, and libraries.
(1)
The minimum lot area required for a museum, art gallery or library
shall conform to the zone, and the minimum lot frontage shall be 200
feet.
(2)
The lot shall have frontage on and direct access to a primary
street.
(3)
Conditional use approval shall not be granted for a museum,
art gallery or library unless the Borough Board of Health has approved
the adequacy of the water supply and sewage treatment facilities which
will serve the use.
(4)
The maximum permitted floor area ratio shall be 15%.
(5)
The maximum permitted impervious surface (lot) coverage shall
be 40%.
(6)
Buildings shall have yard setbacks of at least 50 feet from
a street line (front yard) and 25 feet on a side or rear yard.
(7)
No parking shall be located within 25 feet of any property line
nor within the front yard.
(8)
Parking areas shall be screened from view from all property lines by landscaping in accordance with §
145-308D.
(9)
The applicant shall offer documentation and/or testimony at the public hearing as to the anticipated parking demand associated with the proposed use, so that the Board may make a determination as to the appropriate number of parking spaces to be provided on the site, or else parking shall be provided at the rate required for unspecified uses in §
145-306C.
(10)
All of the other area, yard, and general requirements for the
zone and other applicable requirements of this chapter shall be met.
H. Automobile dealerships.
(1)
The minimum lot area required for an automobile dealership shall
conform to the zone, and the minimum lot frontage shall be 400 feet.
(2)
Conditional use approval shall not be granted for an automobile
dealership unless the Borough Board of Health has approved the adequacy
of the water supply and sewage treatment facilities which will serve
the use.
(3)
No more than 25% of the floor area and no more than 25% of the
lot coverage shall be devoted to the aggregate of permitted accessory
uses, including any service bays.
(4)
A building shall be erected in conjunction with the use, which
building shall contain not less than 10,000 square feet of floor area.
(5)
The area devoted to the outside display of new and used vehicles,
machinery or equipment shall not exceed the building area or 25% of
the lot area, whichever is greater. All such display areas shall be
paved.
(6)
No parking or display area shall be located closer to a street line or to a side or rear property line than 25 feet. All parking areas and all vehicle display and storage areas shall be screened from view from side and rear property lines in accordance with §
145-308D.
(7)
Buffer areas and screening shall be provided in accordance with §
145-308.
(8)
Service bay doors shall open toward the side property lines
of the lot only and not toward a residential zone.
(9)
No motor vehicle awaiting repair shall be permitted to remain
on the premises for longer than 14 days. No more than 20 vehicles
awaiting repair shall be permitted to remain overnight on the premises
at any one time. No junked motor vehicle(s) or equipment or part(s)
thereof shall be permitted on the premises. No parts from junked motor
vehicles shall be sold directly to the public.
(10)
Landscaping shall be provided in the front yard area equal to at least 50% of the front yard area and such landscaping shall be reasonably distributed throughout the entire front yard area (see §
145-808).
(11)
Parking spaces for customer vehicles and for employees shall be separated from the display and service parking areas and the number provided shall be in accordance with §
145-306C(3). No parking shall be permitted on unpaved areas.
(12)
All of the other area, yard, and general requirements for the
zone and other applicable requirements of this chapter shall be met.
I. Bed-and-breakfast lodging. The purpose of this use is to provide
temporary housing for visitors to the Borough that is in keeping with
the residential nature of the community. Bed-and-breakfast lodging
shall be permitted within the R-1, R-2, and DB Zones provided all
of the following conditions are met:
[Amended 7-21-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-025]
(1)
The use shall comply with the bulk standards of the underlying
zone.
(2)
No conversions shall be permitted that would preclude the use
of the residence as a single-family dwelling in the future, other
than the addition of bathrooms and relocation of interior doorways.
(3)
There shall be no separate cooking facilities for each room.
(4)
Conditional use approval shall not be granted for a bed-and-breakfast
unless the Borough has approved the adequacy of the water supply and
sewage treatment facilities which will serve the use.
(5)
Adequate parking must be available on the lot at the rate of
one space for each guest room.
J. Two-family dwellings. Two-family dwellings, also known as duplexes,
shall be permitted as a conditional use in the R-3 and R-4 Zones,
provided they meet all of the area, yard, and general requirements
for single-family dwellings in the zone in which the duplex is proposed,
and other applicable requirements of this chapter. Adequate parking
as required by the RSIS must be provided. In addition, conditional
use approval shall not be granted for a duplex unless the Borough
Board of Health has approved the adequacy of the water supply and
sewage treatment facilities which will serve the use. The future conversion
of a duplex, which was approved as a conditional use, to increase
the number of dwelling units shall not be permitted.
K. Accessory apartments.
(1)
Accessory apartments for low- and moderate-income households
shall be permitted in single-family homes and accessory buildings
in all residential zones provided:
(a)
The owner of the lot resides on a year-round basis on the property
in question.
(b)
The lot conforms to the area and dimensional requirements of
the zoning district.
(c)
The location of the apartment conforms to the yard requirements
of the zoning district.
(d)
There shall be no more than one accessory apartment on any lot.
(e)
The accessory apartment shall be in full compliance with all
applicable health and construction codes.
(f)
No accessory apartment may occupy more than 35% of the total
floor area of the applicant's house.
(g)
Each apartment shall be designed to be an independent living
area with its own kitchen, bathroom and sleeping facilities. Each
apartment shall have a minimum of two rooms (excluding bathrooms)
and have direct access to the outside or a hall with direct access
to the outside. The egress door shall not alter the character of the
exterior facade of the structure containing the apartment.
(h)
The occupant of the apartment must meet the income limitations
established by COAH for the Hunterdon, Somerset, Middlesex Region.
(i)
The rent must be affordable to a household earning no more than 52% of median income as determined by the procedures in the Article
V of this chapter.
(j)
Affordability controls of at least 10 years are imposed on the
accessory apartment via a deed restriction or other instrument acceptable
to the Borough's Attorney.
(k)
A condition of approving an accessory apartment shall be that
the owner must submit an affidavit of continuing use every two years.
(2)
The ability to create accessory apartments shall terminate when
the Borough has addressed its 1987-1999 housing obligation as defined
by N.J.A.C. 5:93-1 et seq.
L. Wireless telecommunications equipment and facilities.
(1)
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide sound land
use policies, procedures and regulations for the location and placement
of wireless telecommunications structures, antennas and equipment
within the Borough of High Bridge in order to protect the community
from the visual and other adverse impacts of wireless telecommunications
facilities and to preserve the scenic and historic character of the
countryside that the Borough of High Bridge Master Plan seeks to protect.
This section seeks to meet the mandate of the Telecommunications Act
of 1996, and at the same time, without limiting the generality
of the foregoing to:
(a)
Protect residential areas and land uses from the potential adverse
impacts of towers and antennas;
(b)
Encourage the location of towers in nonresidential areas and
along major transportation corridors;
(c)
Minimize the total number of towers throughout the community;
(d)
Strongly encourage the joint use of new and existing tower sites
as a primary option rather than construction of additional single-use
towers;
(e)
Encourage users of towers and antennas to locate them, to the
extent possible, in areas where the adverse impact on the community
is minimal;
(f)
Encourage users of towers and antennas to configure them in
a way that minimizes the adverse visual impact of the towers and antennas
through careful design, siting, landscape, screening, and innovative
camouflaging techniques;
(g)
Enhance the ability of the providers of telecommunications services
to provide such services to the community quickly, effectively, and
efficiently;
(h)
Consider the public health and safety of communications towers;
(i)
Avoid potential damage to adjacent properties from tower failure
through proper engineering and careful siting of tower structures;
(j)
Ensure through proper siting and design that towers and antennas
do not cause electromagnetic interference for surrounding property
owners.
(2)
Visual compatibility requirements.
(a)
Wireless telecommunications antennas on existing structures
or buildings and wireless telecommunications towers shall be designed,
located and screened to blend with and into the existing natural or
built surroundings so as to eliminate to the maximum extent practicable
and without regard to cost, adverse visual impacts through the use
of color and camouflaging, architectural treatment, landscaping, and
other appropriate means which shall cause the visual impact of such
antennas and towers to be compatible with neighboring residences and
the character of the community as a whole.
(b)
Wireless telecommunications antennas on existing structures
or buildings and wireless telecommunications towers shall be placed
to ensure that historic districts, historically significant public
views, streetscapes, and landscapes are not visually impaired and
are protected against any visual impairment from wireless telecommunications
facilities. The views of and vistas from architecturally and/or significant
structures shall not be impaired or diminished by the placement of
telecommunications facilities.
(c)
The wireless telecommunications equipment compound shall be
located to avoid being visually solitary or prominent when viewed
from residential areas and the public way.
(d)
The wireless telecommunications equipment compound shall be
enclosed within a fence at least seven feet and no more than eight
feet high, of a type approved by the Borough Engineer, which shall
include a locking security gate. The height of the equipment building
shall not exceed 12 feet.
(e)
A wireless telecommunications equipment compound consisting
of no more than 1,500 square feet may be erected in support of wireless
telecommunications antenna but only if:
[1]
It is situated behind existing vegetation, tree cover, structures,
buildings or terrain features which will shield completely the wireless
telecommunications equipment compound from public view; or
[2]
When a location completely out of public view is not possible,
a landscape buffer of 20 feet in width shall be provided outside the
fence around the wireless telecommunications equipment compound to
completely shield the facility from public view. Landscaping shall
include native evergreen and deciduous trees at least eight feet high
at the time of planting, and the number of trees shall be based on
the equivalent of staggered double rows at 15 feet on center; and
[3]
Otherwise complies with the requirements of this section.
(3)
Conditional use standards for the location of wireless telecommunications
antennas or towers. An applicant desiring to construct wireless telecommunications
antennas or towers shall demonstrate in an application for major site
plan approval to the satisfaction of the Planning Board, through the
presentation and introduction of documentary and parole evidence,
each of the following:
(a)
The need for wireless telecommunications antennas at the proposed
location. The evidence presented and introduced to the Planning Board
shall describe in detail: i) the wireless telecommunications network
layout and its coverage area requirements; and ii) the need for new
wireless telecommunications facilities at a specific location within
the Borough. The applicant shall also provide evidence, within the
environmental impact statement required for the project and to the
satisfaction of the Planning Board, of all alternate wireless network
plan designs that would not require the applicant to construct a wireless
telecommunications tower at the proposed location.
(b)
That the applicant has exercised its best efforts to locate
the wireless telecommunications antennas on existing buildings or
structures within the applicant's search area. Without otherwise limiting
the nature of the evidence to be provided by the applicant in order
to meet its burden on this issue, the applicant shall provide to the
Planning Board copies of all correspondence from and between the wireless
telecommunications provider and the property owners of the existing
buildings or structures. The failure of the applicant to present evidence
of the foregoing shall constitute a rebuttable presumption that the
applicant has not exercised its best efforts as required herein. Evidence
demonstrating that no existing wireless telecommunications tower or
building or structure can accommodate the provider's proposed antenna
may consist of any one or more of the following:
[1]
No existing towers or structures are located within the geographic
area that is necessary to meet the provider's radio frequency engineering
requirement to provide reliable coverage.
[2]
Existing towers or structures are not of sufficient height and
cannot be made to be of sufficient height to meet the provider's radio
frequency engineering requirements, or do not have sufficient structural
strength to support the provider's proposed antenna and related equipment.
[3]
The provider's proposed antenna would cause electromagnetic
interference with the antenna on the existing towers or structures
or the antenna on the existing towers or structures would cause interference
with the provider's proposed antenna.
[4]
The fees, costs, or contractual provisions required by the owner
in order to share an existing tower or structure or to adapt an existing
tower or structure for sharing are patently unreasonable. Actual,
direct costs exceeding new tower design, development, and construction
are presumed to be patently unreasonable.
[5]
The provider demonstrates that there are other limiting factors
that render existing towers and structures unsuitable.
(c)
The locations of all existing communications towers and other structures of not more than 150 feet in height within the applicant's search area and provide competent testimony by a radio frequency engineer regarding the suitability of each location so identified by the applicant in light of the design of the wireless telecommunications network, and the alternate network designs identified pursuant to §
145-409L(3)(a) above.
(d)
Where suitable location on an existing tower or other structure
is found to exist, but the applicant is unable to secure an agreement
to collocate its equipment on such tower or other structure, the applicant
shall provide sufficient and credible written evidence of its attempt
or attempts to collocate.
(e)
A full, complete description of all alternative technologies
not requiring the use of towers or other structures to provide the
services to be provided by the applicant through the use of the proposed
tower shall be documented in the environmental impact statement prepared
for the project. No new wireless telecommunications tower shall be
permitted unless the applicant demonstrates with convincing clarity
to the Planning Board that no existing tower, structure or alternative
technology that does not require the use of towers or structures can
accommodate the applicant's need for a proposed antenna. Costs of
alternative technology that exceed new wireless telecommunications
tower or wireless telecommunications antenna development shall not
be presumed to render any alternative technology unsuitable or unavailable.
(f)
That the applicant has exercised its best efforts to site new
wireless antennas, equipment or towers within the applicant's search
area according to the priority schedule below. Without otherwise limiting
the nature of the evidence to be provided by the applicant in order
to meet its burden on this issue, the applicant shall provide to the
Planning Board the block and lot number of any parcel for which the
wireless provider has attempted to secure a lease or purchase agreement
and copies of all correspondence from and between the wireless provider
and the property owner, the failure of the applicant to present evidence
of the foregoing shall constitute a rebuttable presumption that the
applicant has not exercised its best efforts as required herein.
(g)
Comply with the Borough standard that no wireless telecommunications
towers shall be permitted which would require lighting affixed thereto
under FCC, FAA or any other governmental agency regulations or requirements.
Priority Schedule for Siting Facilities
|
---|
Priority
|
Zone*
|
Equipment
|
Location
|
Permitted or Conditional
|
---|
1
|
Commercial/Transportation
|
Antenna
|
Collocated with other antennas on existing structure or tower
within a transportation corridor
|
P
|
2
|
Commercial/Transportation
|
Antenna
|
Existing structure or tower within a transportation corridor
|
P
|
3
|
Commercial
|
Antenna
|
Collocated with other antennas on existing structures or towers
|
P
|
4
|
Commercial
|
Antenna
|
Existing structure or tower
|
P
|
5
|
Residential/Transportation
|
Antenna
|
Collocated with other antennas on existing structure or tower
within a transportation corridor
|
C
|
6
|
Residential/Transportation
|
Antenna
|
Existing structure or tower
|
C
|
7
|
Residential
|
Antenna
|
Collocated with other antenna on existing structure or tower
|
C
|
8
|
Residential
|
Antenna
|
Existing structure or tower
|
C
|
9
|
Commercial/Transportation
|
Tower
|
Construct a tower within a commercial transportation corridor
|
C
|
10
|
Commercial
|
Tower
|
Construct a tower in a commercial area
|
C
|
11
|
Residential/Transportation
|
Tower
|
Construct a tower within a residential transportation corridor
|
C
|
12
|
Residential
|
Tower
|
Construct a tower in a residential zone
|
C
|
NOTE:
|
*
|
"Commercial" includes the C and R-O-M Zones.
|
|
"Transportation" means the lot has frontage on Route 31 or Route
513.
|
(4)
Bulk standards. An applicant desiring to construct a wireless telecommunications tower who has satisfied the requirements of Subsection
L(3), above, shall also satisfy the following bulk standards, which bulk standards shall be interpreted and reviewed pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70(c):
(a)
Minimum lot area: two acres.
(b)
Minimum setback of wireless telecommunications tower from:
[1]
Any property line: the zoning district setback requirement or
the tower height, whichever is greater.
[2]
Any existing residence in a nonresidential zone: 500 feet.
[3]
Any wireless telecommunications tower: 5,280 feet.
(c)
Minimum setback for equipment compound from any property line:
the zoning district yard requirements for a principal building.
(d)
Maximum height of wireless telecommunications tower (exclusive
of lightning rod) designed to accommodate:
[1]
Three or more vendors: 150 feet.
(e)
Maximum height of attached antenna: 10 feet beyond the height
of the building or structure on which attached.
(5)
Major site plan application requirements for the installation
of wireless telecommunications towers.
(a)
All site plan details required by §
145-606 shall be provided and shall include the site boundaries; tower location; existing and proposed structures, including accessory structures; existing and proposed ground-mounted equipment; vehicular parking and access; and uses, structures, and land use designations on the site and abutting parcels.
(b)
A landscape plan drawn to scale showing proposed landscaping,
including species type, size, spacing, other landscape features, and
existing vegetation to be retained, removed or replaced.
(c)
A report from a qualified expert certifying that the wireless
telecommunications tower and equipment facility comply with the latest
structural and wind loading requirements as set forth in the Building
Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) International, Inc. Code;
or the Electronic Industries Association/Telecommunications Industries
Association (ELA/TLA) 222 Revision F Standard, entitled "Structural
Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures"
(or equivalent), as it may be updated or amended; or such other code
as may apply to these facilities, including a description of the number
and type of antennas it is designed to accommodate.
(d)
A binding, irrevocable letter of commitment by the applicant
to lease excess space on the tower to other potential users at prevailing
market rates and conditions. The letter of commitment shall be recorded
prior to issuance of a building permit. The letter shall commit and
be binding upon the tower owner and successors in interest.
(e)
Elevations of the proposed tower and accessory building generally
depicting all proposed antennas, platforms, finish materials, and
all other accessory equipment.
(f)
A copy of the lease or deed for the property.
(g)
A plan which shall reference all existing wireless telecommunications
facilities in the Borough, any such facilities in the abutting towns
which provide service to areas within the Borough of High Bridge,
and any changes proposed within the following twelve-month period,
including plans for new locations and the discontinuance or relocation
of existing facilities.
(h)
Perspectives of the proposed tower at the proposed location
from several sides from distances of 1,000 feet, 1/2 mile and one
mile drawn to an appropriate scale.
(i)
An environmental impact statement prepared in accordance with §
145-604.
(6)
Design standards.
(a)
The wireless telecommunications tower shall be designed and
constructed so as to accommodate at least three antenna arrays of
separate telecommunication providers (the applicant's plus two collocators).
(b)
Signs shall not be permitted except for a sign displaying owner
contact information, warnings, equipment information, and safety instructions.
Such signs shall not exceed two square feet in area. No commercial
advertising shall be permitted on any wireless telecommunications
facility.
(c)
No lighting is permitted except that wireless telecommunication
equipment compounds enclosing electronic equipment may have security
and safety lighting at the entrance, provided that the light is attached
to the facility, is no greater than 150 watts, is focused downward
and is on timing devices and/or sensors so that the light is turned
off when not needed for safety or security purposes.
(d)
Wireless telecommunications antennas and towers shall be maintained
to assure their continued structural integrity, and shall be inspected
at least once a year by the owner or operator. The results of the
inspection shall be filed with the Construction Code Official. The
owner of the tower or antenna shall also perform such other maintenance
of the structure and of the site as to assure that it does not create
a visual nuisance.
(e)
Wireless telecommunications towers shall be of a color appropriate
to the tower's locational context and to make it as unobtrusive as
possible, unless otherwise required by the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA).
(f)
Wireless telecommunications facilities shall be surrounded by
security features such as a fence. All towers shall be designed with
anticlimbing devices in order to prevent unauthorized access. Additional
safety devices shall be permitted or required, as needed, and as approved
by the approving authority.
(g)
Any proposed new telecommunication tower shall be a "monopole"
unless the applicant can demonstrate that a different type pole is
necessary for the collocation of additional antennas on the tower.
Such towers may employ camouflage technology.
(h)
No equipment shall be operated so as to produce noise in excess
of the limits set by N.J.A.C. 7:29-1.1 et seq., except for in emergency
situations requiring the use of backup generator.
(i)
Wireless telecommunications towers and antennas shall be constructed
to the Electronic Industries Association/Telecommunications Industries
Association (ELA/TLA) 222 Revision F Standard entitled "Structural
Standards for Steel Antenna Towers and Antenna Supporting Structures"
(or equivalent), as it may be updated or amended.
(j)
The proposed tower and antenna shall not produce electromagnetic
interference affecting surrounding property owners, and the tower
owner shall remedy any problems that can be shown to be caused by
the tower or antenna, in accordance with applicable FCC regulations.
(7)
Antenna modifications.
(a)
Whenever antennas are modified, operators of wireless telecommunications
facilities shall provide to the Borough of High Bridge a report from
a qualified expert certifying that a wireless telecommunications tower
or building or other support structure as modified complies with the
latest structural and wind loading requirements as set forth in the
Building Officials and Code Administrators (BOCA) International, Inc.
Code and the ELA/TLA Standard referenced above. Such modifications
shall be subject to site plan review and approval.
(b)
Operators of wireless telecommunications facilities shall notify
the Borough of High Bridge when the use of such antennas and equipment
is discontinued. Facilities that are not in use for wireless telecommunications
purposes for six months shall be removed by the provider at its cost.
This removal shall occur within 90 days of the end of such six-month
period. Upon removal, the site shall be cleared, restored, and revegetated
to blend with the existing surrounding vegetation at the time of abandonment.
The facility owner shall post a bond to cover the costs of tower removal
and site restoration. The amount of the bond shall take into consideration
cost escalations.
(8)
Collocation and shared facilities and sites. FCC-licensed wireless
telecommunication providers are encouraged to construct and site their
facilities with a view toward sharing facilities with other utilities,
collocating with other existing wireless facilities and accommodating
the collocation of other future facilities where technically, practically,
and economically feasible.
(9)
Application and escrow fee. Site plan application fees and escrows for wireless telecommunication installations shall be as set forth in §
145-701A of this chapter.
M. Planned industrial parks.
(1)
A planned industrial park shall consist of a tract or parcel
of land under single ownership that has a total area of not less than
10 acres. Easements and rights-of-way held by a public agency, authority
or utility within the perimeter of the tract or parcel of land shall
be included in the total area and shall not affect the status of the
planned industrial park as defined herein. Only industrial uses specified
as a permitted use in the R-O-M Zone will be permitted in a planned
industrial park.
(2)
Lot area. Individual sites or lots shall be of such size that
the development will have architectural uniformity and flexibility
in arrangements and be of such size that all space requirements provided
in this chapter are satisfied; however, no lot shall have an area
less than 85,000 square feet.
(3)
The minimum lot width shall be 225 feet.
(4)
The minimum front yard shall be 70 feet.
(5)
No side yard shall be less than 30 feet. The total of the two
side yards shall be no less than 70 feet.
(6)
The minimum rear yard shall be 40 feet.
(7)
The maximum lot coverage shall be 45%.
(8)
The maximum building height shall be 40 feet.
(9)
Five-thousand square feet shall be the minimum gross floor area.
(10)
Parking areas may be located in any of the required yard areas
provided that they are at least 40 feet from a street line or 50 feet
from the boundary of a residential use or zone. Ingress and egress
shall be provided by not more than two driveways, each not less than
20, but no more than 30, feet in width. No driveways shall be located
within 100 feet of an existing driveway or private street.
(11)
The planned industrial park shall set aside 20% of the tract
for the preservation of existing vegetative communities and use this
area for no other purpose. If requested by the Planning Board, supplemental
planting with native species or removal of invasive species to enhance
or restore the existing vegetative community shall be performed.
(12)
Prohibited uses include explosives; residential or commercial
sanitation collection; medical, chemical or radioactive waste storage,
and operations such as the parking, storage, maintenance, or repair
of vehicles usually and customarily associated with such businesses
permitted in the industrial park.