From the time an application for approval of a plat,
whether preliminary or final, is duly filed as provided in this chapter,
and while such application is pending approval or disapproval, no
change or amendment of the zoning, subdivision or other governing
ordinance or plan shall affect the decision on such application adversely
to the applicant; and the applicant shall be entitled to a decision
in accordance with the provisions of the governing ordinances or plans
as they stood at the time the application was duly filed. In addition,
when a preliminary application has been duly approved, the applicant
shall be entitled to final approval in accordance with the terms of
the approved preliminary applications as hereinafter provided. However,
if an application is properly and finally denied, any subsequent application
shall be subject to the intervening change in governing regulations.