The subdivider shall observe the requirements and principles
of land subdivision in the design of each subdivision, or portion
thereof, as set forth in this article.
The subdivision plat shall conform to design standards that
will encourage good development patterns within the Borough. Where
an Official Map or Master Plan, or both, has or have been adopted,
the subdivision shall conform to the proposals and conditions shown
thereon. The streets, drainage rights-of-way, school sites, public
parks and playgrounds or other areas shown on the officially adopted
Master Plan or Official Map shall be considered in approval of all
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.S.A. 40:55D-38 and shall be such as to lend themselves to
the harmonious development of the Borough and to enhance the public
welfare in accordance with the design standards set forth herein.
Nothing in this chapter shall require any changes in a building
permit, site plan or zoning variance which was approved before the
enactment of this chapter, provided that construction shall have been
started within one year from the effective date of this chapter and
the project shall be continuously pursued to completion; otherwise,
said approvals and permits shall be void.
Streets and curbs in nonresidential developments shall be designed and constructed in accordance with all applicable requirements of this chapter, including Schedule A, Street Construction Specifications,
included as an attachment to this chapter.
A. Arrangement. The arrangement of streets not shown on the Master Plan
or Official Map shall be such as to provide for the appropriate extension
of existing streets, conform to the topography as far as practical,
and allow for continued extension into adjoining undeveloped tracts
with a minimum right-of-way of 50 feet. When a development adjoins
land capable of being developed further, suitable provisions shall
be made for future street access.
B. Street classifications. The classifications of existing and proposed
streets shall be those shown on the Master Plan or Official Map, or
as designated by the approving authority where a new street is not
included on the Master Plan or Official Map.
C. Minimum right-of-way width. The right-of-way width shall be measured
from lot line to lot line.
D. Pavement width. The pavement width of public streets shall be measured
from curb to curb and shall not be less than 30 feet in any case,
except when shown at a greater width on the Master Plan or Official
Map.
E. Grades. Grades of all streets in general shall conform to topography
and shall not be less than 1% nor greater than 10% for local and collector
streets and 5% for arterial streets.
F. Reserve strips. No subdivision showing reserve strips controlling
access to streets shall be approved, except where the control and
disposal of land comprising such strips has been placed in the governing
body under conditions approved by the Planning Board.
G. Substandard street right-of-way and pavement width. Subdivisions
that adjoin or include existing streets that do not conform to the
widths as shown on the Master Plan or Official Map or the street width
requirements of this chapter shall dedicate and improve additional
right-of-way or pavement width along either one or both sides of said
road. If the subdivision is along one side only, 1/2 of the required
extra width shall be dedicated and improved.
H. Intersections. Street intersections shall be at right angles where
possible and intersection of less than 60° (measured at the center
line of streets) shall not be permitted.
I. Crosswalks. Crosswalks shall be required at intersections along established
pedestrian routes within 1,000 feet of schools and other public facilities,
and where otherwise deemed necessary by the approving authority. All
crosswalks shall comply with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control
Devices (MUTCD), latest edition, and the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) guidelines.
J. Street jogs. Collector and/or arterial streets intersecting another
street from opposite sides shall either be directly opposite each
other without offset, or shall have at least 250 feet offset distance
between center lines. Street jogs with center-line offsets on local
streets of less than 125 feet shall be prohibited.
K. Tangents. A tangent at least 50 feet long on local streets, 100 feet
long on collector streets and 300 feet long on arterial streets shall
be introduced between reverse curves.
L. Street line deflection. When connecting street lines deflect from
each other at any one point by more than 10° and not more than
45°, they shall be connected by a curve with a radius of not less
than 100 feet for local streets and 300 feet for collector and arterial
streets.
M. Changes in grade. All changes in grade shall be connected by vertical
curves of sufficient length to provide a smooth transition and proper
sight distance, as established in the American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) publication, "A Policy
on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets."
N. Cul-de-sac streets. Cul-de-sac streets are discouraged, but where
unavoidable or determined to be necessary for public safety, shall
not be longer than 1,000 feet nor serve more than 10 lots. A turnaround
shall be provided at the end of the cul-de-sac with a right-of-way
radius of not less than 50 feet and a curbline radius of not less
than 40 feet. Whenever possible, the turnaround shall be tangent to
the right side of the street. If a dead-end street is of a temporary
nature, a similar turnaround shall be provided and provisions made
for the future extension of the street and reversion of the excess
right-of-way to the adjoining properties. The removal of excess improvements
shall be the responsibility of any future developer.
O. Half streets. Half streets shall be prohibited except where essential
to the reasonable development of the subdivision in conformity with
other requirements of these regulations and where the Planning Board
finds it will be practical to require the dedication of the other
half when the adjoining property is subdivided, and the other half
of the street shall be plotted within such tract.
P. Private streets. Private streets shall not be approved nor shall
public improvements be approved for any private street.
Q. Sight triangles.
(1) Sight triangles shall be required at each quadrant of two intersecting
streets (or one street where the road tangents deflect more than 45%)
and streets with driveways. Sight triangles shall comply with the
requirements of AASHTO.
(2) The area within a sight triangle shall be a dedicated easement by deed as a part of the street right-of-way and shall be maintained as a part of the lot adjoining the street or site plan as a sight-triangle easement. A sight-triangle easement dedication shall be expressed on the plat as follows: "Sight-triangle easement subject to grading, planting and construction restrictions as required by the Borough of Hawthorne Land Use Ordinance, §
540-54Q(4).
(3) Portions of a lot set aside for the sight triangle shall be calculated
in determining the lot area and may be included in determining the
minimum setbacks required by this chapter.
(4) Within a sight triangle, no grading, planting or structure shall
be erected or maintained more than 30 inches above the curb or edge
of the roadway or lower than eight feet above the center-line grade
of either intersecting street or driveway, excluding street name signs
or any signs as regulated by the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control
Devices. Where any street or driveway intersection involves earth
or rock banks or vegetation, including trees, the developer shall
trim such vegetation and remove the trees as well as establish proper
excavation, retaining walls and grading to provide the required site
triangle.
R. Railroad crossings. Access to a subdivision by means of a railroad
grade crossing is prohibited.
S. Curbs. Curbs shall be constructed along both sides of all streets,
in accordance with the standards set forth in Schedule A.
Streets and curbs in residential developments shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions set forth in §
540-54 for nonresidential developments, except where such provisions conflict with the Residential Site Improvement Standards at N.J.A.C. 5:21. In the event of a conflict between §
540-54 and the Residential Site Improvement Standards (RSIS), the RSIS shall govern.
Sidewalks shall be required as part of any site development
and shall be designed in accordance with the standards set forth in
Schedule A, Street Construction Specifications.
Monuments shall be of the size and shape required by L. 1960,
c. 141, the Map Filing Law (N.J.S.A. 46:23-9.9 et seq.), shall by placed in accordance with said statute and shall
be indicated on the final plat.
A lighting plan prepared by a qualified individual shall be
provided with major subdivision applications. Streetlights shall be
installed at all intersections and cul-de-sacs and at 300-foot intervals
along all streets. All street lighting shall be subject to a plan
approved by the Borough Planning Board or Board of Adjustment depending
upon jurisdiction and PSEG. The lights shall be installed solely for
the purpose of illuminating the roadways and shall be of such a nature
as to minimize the illumination on adjacent properties. The developer
shall provide for the installation of underground service.
The Board may impose other conditions where specific problems
peculiar to any particular development exist which are likely to be
detrimental to the public safety and general welfare of the Borough.