For the purpose of expediting applications and reducing subdivision and site plan design and development costs, the developer may request a pre-application conference and/or concept plan in accordance with the following requirements:
A.
Pre-application conference.
(1)
At the request of the applicant, the Planning Board shall authorize a pre-application conference. The purpose of this conference is to:
(a)
Acquaint the applicant with the substantive and procedural requirements of the Subdivision and Site Plan Ordinance.
(b)
Provide for an exchange of information regarding the proposed development plan and applicable elements of the Master Plan, Zoning Ordinance and other development requirements.
(c)
Advise the applicant of any public sources of information that may aid the application.
(d)
Otherwise identify policies and regulations that create opportunities or pose significant constraints for the proposed development.
(e)
Review any proposed concept plans and consider opportunities to increase development benefits and mitigate undesirable project consequences.
(f)
Permit input into the general design of the project.
(2)
The pre-application conference allows the applicant to meet with appropriate municipal representatives. These individuals, who shall be designated by the Mayor and/or Committee, may include:
(a)
The Municipal Engineer.
(b)
The Municipal Planner.
(c)
The Municipal Construction Officer and Zoning Officer.
(d)
Representative(s) from the Planning Board and the Board of Adjustment.
(e)
Representatives from the Municipal Environmental, Historic Preservation and other commissions, as deemed appropriate.
(f)
The Subdivision and Site Plan Committee or its representative(s), if this committee is established.
(g)
Any other municipal representative(s) invited by the Planning Board Chairperson.
(3)
Applicants seeking a pre-application conference shall submit the information stipulated in Subsection A(1) of this section 15 days prior to the pre-application conference.
(4)
The applicant shall not be required to pay a fee for the pre-application conference. If requested and paid for by the applicant, a brief written summary of the pre-application conference shall be provided within 45 working days after the final meeting.
(5)
The applicant shall not be bound by the determination of the pre-application conference, nor shall the Planning Board or Subdivision and Site Plan Committee be bound by any such review.
B.
Concept plan:
(1)
In addition or as an alternative to the pre-application conference, at the request of the applicant, the Planning Board or the Subdivision and Site Plan Committee shall grant an informal review of a concept plan for a development for which the applicant intends to prepare and submit an application for development. The purpose of the concept plan is to provide the Planning Board or Subdivision and Site Plan Committee input in the formative stages of subdivision and site plan design.
(2)
Applicants seeking concept plan informal review shall submit the items stipulated in Subsection A(1) of this section 15 days before the concept plan meeting. These items provide the Subdivider and Planning Board or Subdivision and Site Plan Committee with an opportunity to discuss the development proposal in its formative stages.
(3)
A brief written summary of the concept plan review shall be provided within 45 working days after the final meeting.
(4)
The applicant may be charged reasonable fees for concept plan review. The amount of any fees for such informal review shall be a credit towards fees for review of the application for development.
(5)
The applicant shall not be bound by any concept plan for which review is requested, nor shall the Planning Board or Subdivision and Site Plan Committee be bound by any such review. The municipality may require notice of the concept plan meeting pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-12.