[Amended 12-14-1981 by Ord. No. 21-81; 11-9-1987 by Ord. No. 15-87; 2-8-1993 by Ord. No. 3-93; 2-27-1995 by Ord. No. 4-95; 3-12-2007 by Ord. No. 07-01; 3-11-2013 by Ord. No. 13-04[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also revised and added various provisions from former §§ 165-160, Notice of decision, as amended, and 165-161, Jurisdiction of responsibility during development application review, as amended, to §§ 165-158 and 165-159; said ordinance also relocated § 165-160 from Art. XIX to Art. XX.
A. 
Subdivision review. All subdivisions, as defined under § 165-10, are subject to the review procedures specified in this chapter.
B. 
Site plan review required. No construction permit shall be issued for any change of permitted use as defined in this chapter, or for any construction of a structure or additional parking spaces at residential, business, or industrial properties, or for the addition of driveways and/or paving at commercial business or industrial properties, until a site plan has been reviewed and approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be.
C. 
Site plan review is not required or may be waived as follows:
(1) 
Board approval of a site plan shall not be necessary for a detached single-family or two-family dwelling unit used solely for residential purposes and its accessory building(s) on a single lot;
(2) 
The Borough Zoning Official may waive the review of a site plan when the application is limited to the construction or modification of signs for an existing use and where such signs meet the requirements of Article XIII of this chapter;
(3) 
The Planning Board may waive the review of a site plan in connection with an application for change of permitted use as provided under § 165-157D and E;
(4) 
The Borough Zoning Official may waive the review of a site plan if the construction is for a permitted use, is of no more than 100 square feet of additional floor area and/or the construction of no more than two additional parking spaces.
[Amended 5-13-2024 by Ord. No. 24-03]
D. 
Final approvals. All applications that have received preliminary approval from the appropriate Board shall be required to seek and obtain final Board approval within the time set forth under the Municipal Land Use Law. Filing requirements for such applications for development seeking final approvals are set forth under §§ 165-161C and 165-162C.
E. 
Concept plan review. Review of a conceptual sketch or plan of a proposed subdivision or site plan is not required but is strongly recommended. The submission of a concept plan affords the applicant the opportunity to discuss the proposal in its formative stages and receive the nonbinding advice of the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, or an authorized subcommittee of either Board, as the case may be. A concept plan may be submitted to the Zoning Board of Adjustment or an authorized subcommittee of the Zoning Board only as part of a use variance application. Procedures for submission for a concept review are as follows:
(1) 
An applicant seeking a review of a concept plan shall submit an application for review, plans or drawings depicting the concept, duplicate copies of documents as required by the Borough Zoning Official or his/her designee, and the required fees and escrows in accordance with § 165-166 of this chapter. Checklist C must also be submitted for a review of a concept plan.
(2) 
At the direction of the Zoning Official additional copies of the submission may be forwarded to other committees, individuals, offices, and/or agencies for review and comment. In those instances where an application for site plan, subdivision, or use variance is being reviewed by the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Zoning Official shall forward a copy of same to the Planning Board for its information and comment.
(3) 
Details required in a concept plan and submissions are as follows:
(a) 
The submitted sketch shall be based on Tax Map information or some other similarly accurate base and shall be neatly and accurately drawn. The following information shall be included unless waived by the Board as unnecessary to arrive at an informed decision;
(b) 
Title block, including the name of the subdivision or development, municipality and county and the name, address, and telephone number of the subdivider or developer;
(c) 
Scale and North arrow;
(d) 
Date of original preparation and of each subsequent revision thereof, and name of preparer;
(e) 
Existing block and lot number(s) of the lot(s) to be subdivided or developed, as they appear on the Borough Tax Map;
(f) 
Subdivision or development boundary line delineated;
(g) 
The location of existing and proposed lines, streets, buildings (with an indication as to whether existing buildings will be retained or removed), parking spaces, loading areas, driveways, proposed buffer and landscaped areas, watercourses, railroads, bridges, culverts, drain pipes, steep slopes in excess of 15%, and any natural features such as wetlands and treed areas, both within the tract and within 200 feet of its boundary;
(h) 
The approximate location and approximate width of all existing and proposed utility or other easements;
(i) 
Protective covenants or deed restrictions that may affect the proposed subdivision or development;
(j) 
Such other items as the Zoning Official may determine are necessary for adequate review of the concept by the appropriate Board.
(4) 
At the applicant's request, the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, may hear and review a concept plan submission at a regularly scheduled meeting and give the applicant an opportunity to briefly present the concept plan. No notice is required for such hearing and no expert testimony is required. The Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, may give suggestions and recommendations to the applicant for consideration. No binding determinations or decisions shall be rendered, and no resolution shall result from a review of a concept plan.
[Amended 10-28-2024 by Ord. No. 24-13]
A. 
General requirements. The following provisions apply to all applications for development, whether pending before the Borough Planning Board or the Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment.
(1) 
Checklists. Every application for development shall be accompanied by the appropriate checklist(s). The following checklists are made a part of this chapter, and are incorporated as Attachment 3 to this chapter:[1]
(a) 
Checklist A: General Requirements for All Applications For Development.
(b) 
Checklist B: "C" Variances for Decks and Fences on Single-Family and Two-Family Residential Properties.
(c) 
Checklist C: Plan Requirements for All Applications for Development including Conceptual Site Plan and/or Subdivision Review Preliminary Site Plan or Subdivision Approval. This checklist shall be used for All Variances (Not Covered in Checklist B).
(d) 
Checklist D: Requirements for Final Site Plan and/or Final Minor or Major Subdivision Use with Request for Waiver of Site Plan Before Borough Planning Board.
(e) 
Checklist E: Application for Change of Permitted Use (Not exempt by § 165-160) with Request for Waiver of Site Plan Before Planning Board.
(f) 
Checklist F: Request for Interpretation of Borough Ordinance or Appeal from Decision of Borough Official Before Zoning Board of Adjustment.
[1]
Editor's Note: The checklists are on file in the Borough offices.
(2) 
Every initial filing of an application for development shall minimally provide the following documents and submissions: complete application; applicable checklist(s); landowner consents; survey and site photographs showing existing conditions; plans and maps describing and depicting the proposed development and approvals sought; environmental, wetlands, stormwater management, traffic, and parking studies; any prior approvals issued by the Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment or the Borough Planning Board, and proof of payment of municipal charges, fees, and escrows.
(3) 
Payment of municipal fees. Every initial filing of an application for development shall be accompanied by proof that no taxes, assessments for local improvements, water charges, sewer fees, or any other municipal fees, are due or delinquent with regard to the property which is the subject of the application.
(4) 
If any required document or submission is not filed with the initial filing, a written checklist waiver request shall be submitted to address the absence of the document or submission and the reasons for each request for checklist waiver.
(5) 
All parts of the application shall be readable and legible, or such part shall be rejected and required to be refiled.
(6) 
Failure to provide any of the above submissions shall result in the application being deemed incomplete and require refiling.
B. 
Submission requirements. The following are submissions required for all applications for development as defined in § 165-10, whether pending before the Borough Planning Board or the Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment:
(1) 
Complete application for development with completed checklist(s) as applicable;
(2) 
Payment of all required application fees and escrows;
(3) 
Any prior resolutions or approvals issued by the Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment or the Borough Planning Board;
(4) 
Letters, statements, and/or reports from the Borough Shade Tree Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Environmental Commission, and Sign Committee, as applicable;
(5) 
List of approvals and references required to be obtained from other governmental agencies;
(6) 
Stormwater management study and drainage calculations, and plans showing depiction and conformance with Article XIV of this chapter, including all existing and proposed stormwater management installations;
C. 
Requirements for final approvals. An application for development seeking final approvals shall be accompanied by the following documents:
(1) 
Application and Checklist D and required documents listed therein;
(2) 
Board Administrative Secretary's list of all applicable application filing fees and escrows and payment of same, pursuant to § 165-166;
(3) 
Certification from the Tax Collector that all taxes and assessments are paid to date;
(4) 
Certificate of consent signed by all property owners consenting to the filing of the application for development;
(5) 
All prior resolutions of approval regarding the subject property issued by the Borough Planning Board or the Borough Zoning Board of Adjustment;
(6) 
List of all other governmental approvals obtained to date, and copies of all permits, approvals, and exemptions for each governmental unit;
(7) 
Written narrative and other documents explaining any changes to the plans or the application that are different than what was approved in the Board's preliminary approval, and certifying that no new variances have been created by any change to the preliminary plans and approvals.
(8) 
A statement from the Borough Engineer that he is in receipt of a map showing all utilities in exact location and elevation, that he/she has examined the drainage plan and found that the interests of the Borough and of neighboring properties are adequately protected, and that he/she has identified those portions of any utilities already installed and those to be installed;
(9) 
A statement from the Borough Engineer that all improvements installed prior to application have been inspected as provided in § 165-167 of this chapter, and that such improvements meet the requirements of the Borough. Any improvements installed prior to application for final approval that do not meet or exceed Borough standards shall be factored into the required performance guarantee;
(10) 
The applicant shall certify in writing to the Board that he/she has installed all improvements in accordance with the requirements of this chapter and/or that he/she has posted a performance guarantee in accordance with § 165-167 of this chapter;
(11) 
Plans in accordance with §§ 165-162 and 165-163, as necessary and required, including engineering plans and details, architectural details and renderings;
(12) 
As-built survey in accordance with § 165-163A;
(13) 
All recorded document or maps as required under the Board's preliminary approval;
(14) 
Any document or other item required under the Board's preliminary approval; and
(15) 
Such other submissions as may be necessary for the applicable Board to render final decision.
A. 
General contents of plans. Plans shall meet or contain the following general requirements:
(1) 
All plans shall be neatly and accurately drawn, each plan page shall be consecutively numbered, and each plan page shall contain a descriptive label;
(2) 
An identification block showing the project name, the name and address of applicant, the street address and the existing and proposed Borough tax block and lot numbers for each property (such lot numbers having been preliminarily approved by the Borough Tax Assessor);
(3) 
Plans shall be drawn and certified in accordance with New Jersey Administrative Code (N.J.A.C.) 13:40-7 and 13:41-4, by a licensed professional engineer, architect, land surveyor and/or landscape architect, and shall bear the signature, seal, license number, and address of the person certifying the plan, and the original date of preparation of each plan page, and the date(s) of any revisions to each plan page;
(4) 
Architectural, patio, and deck drawings may be prepared by the applicant and/or the applicant's designee, and shall bear the signature and address of the applicant, a descriptive label of each plan page, the date of preparation, and the date(s) of any revisions;
(5) 
Each submission shall be on one of three of the following standard sheet sizes: eight inches by 13 inches, 15 inches by 21 inches, or 24 inches by 36 inches. If one sheet is not sufficient to contain the entire territory, the map may be divided into separate sheets, with reference on each sheet to the adjoining sheets;
(6) 
Each submission, other than a key map, shall be prepared using a minimum of scale of one inch equals 30 feet for a tract up to one acre in size; or one inch equals 50 feet for a tract between one and 40 acres in size; or one inch equals 100 feet for a tract between 40 and 150 acres in size; or one inch equals 200 feet for a tract of 150 acres or more;
(7) 
A key map on the first page of plans, showing the entire tract and its relation to the surrounding areas, at a scale of one inch equals not less than 2,000 feet;
(8) 
A North arrow on each page;
(9) 
Reference meridian;
(10) 
Zoning analysis on first page of plans, containing a list of required, existing, and proposed zoning conditions, with notations necessary to identify how the proposed development conforms, what, if any, variances are requested, and what, if any, waivers from design standards are requested, for each proposed tax lot;
(11) 
The applicant's submission shall show all existing and proposed dimensions necessary to confirm conformity to this chapter's requirements, such as allowable, existing, and proposed values for lot area, lot frontage, lot width, lot depth, front yard setback, side yard setback, rear yard setback, total lot coverage, lot coverage ratio, total building coverage, building coverage ratio, floor area spaces, and floor area ratio, and such other items as required under this chapter. The required values shall be shown in a coverage table and a zoning table on the site plan sheet;
(12) 
The applicant's submission shall show existing and proposed additional floor area for each floor, basement, attic, porch area, and garage area, and proposed additional floor area for the basement and each floor and attic. The required values shall be shown in a coverage table and a zoning table on the site plan sheet;
(13) 
A signature block on the first page of plans as required under the Municipal Land Use Law, and the New Jersey Administrative Code, Title 13, as follows:
Plan of (short descriptive of project)
Street address
Block
Lot
Tax Map No.
Zone
Scale
Applicant name
I CONSENT to the filing of this plan with the
Board of the Borough of Chatham
Landowner
Date signed
Name/title
Applicant
Date signed
Name/title
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I have prepared this Plan and that all dimensions and information are correct.
Name
Date signed
Title and License Number
I HAVE REVIEWED this Plan and certify that it meets all codes and ordinances under my jurisdiction.
Borough Engineer
Date signed
To be signed after the issuance of a construction permit: I HEREBY CERTIFY that all the required improvements have been installed or a bond posted in compliance with all applicable codes and ordinances.
Borough Engineer
Date signed
These plans have been approved by the
Board of the Borough of Chatham by Resolution entered on
Chairman
Name
Date signed
Witness to Chairman's signature:
Administrative Secretary
Name
Date signed
B. 
Detailed contents of plans. Plans shall contain the following details:
(1) 
Except as otherwise stated, dimensions shall be shown in feet and inches; area values shall be shown in square footage; and ratios shall be shown as a percentage to two decimal places;
(2) 
Width, depth, and height dimensions shall be shown in feet and inches;
(3) 
Bearing and dimensions of each boundary line and the angle between intersecting lines, shown in degrees, minutes, and seconds;
(4) 
Indication of any reference corners and location and kind of each existing and proposed permanent property monument;
(5) 
Location of any zoning district boundaries within 200 feet of the proposed development;
(6) 
Location of any municipal boundaries within 200 feet of the proposed development;
(7) 
Proposed location and size (width and depth) of all principal and accessory structures and fixtures and improvements of any kind whatsoever, including recreational facilities, driveways and other pathways of any kind, fences, walls, patios, decks, utility units, and overhangs from structures;
(8) 
Proposed front, side, and rear yard setbacks, and second story overhanging setbacks, with distances shown in feet to two decimal places;
(9) 
Lot frontage, lot width, lot depth, building height, and setbacks;
(10) 
Square foot area of all existing and proposed lots;
(11) 
Any street or roadway access and proposed directions of travel;
(12) 
The proposed location and size (width and depth) of base height, from proposed ground elevation to top element;
(13) 
The location and size and description of any signs, in accordance with Article XIII;
(14) 
The location, size, and description of any exterior lighting, with direction of illumination, power, and candlepower diagram, showing conformance with § 165-78;
(15) 
Depiction of all locations, size and description of all existing and proposed utilities;
(16) 
Floor plans and gross floor areas (both total and footprint);
(17) 
Facade (elevation) drawings of proposed and improved buildings;
(18) 
Spot elevations (at building corners) and first floor building elevation;
(19) 
Fences and walls: locations, dimensions, materials;
(20) 
Curbing, sidewalks, driveways, loading area: locations and dimensions;
(21) 
Location of existing and proposed refuse storage locations, including descriptions of structures, enclosure type and dimensions, and volume of storage provided;
(22) 
Identification of all existing and proposed public improvements, easements, rights-of-way, and restrictions of record, with accurate metes and bounds descriptions for same;
(23) 
Depiction of any existing natural features on the property and within 200 feet of each boundary line;
(24) 
Wetlands, wetlands delineations and buffers, watercourses, conservation areas and easements, wellheads, floodplain areas, underground tanks, and other environmental items;
(25) 
Existing and proposed stormwater management structures, dry wells, culverts, outlets, and other details for stormwater drainage and management;
(26) 
Steep slopes, elevations, and calculations, in accordance with § 165-14D(2), D(3), and G;
(27) 
Location of all existing and proposed loading and unloading area(s), whether off site or on site at the subject property;
(28) 
Parking layout plan in accordance with § 165-163C.
(29) 
Location and species of all existing trees and groups of trees with caliper of eight inches or more as measured three feet from ground level;
(30) 
Landscaping plan showing location and species of all proposed landscaping, including shade trees, screening, and buffer areas, in accordance with § 165-163D;
(31) 
Soil erosion and sediment control plan;
(32) 
Such other items as are necessary to fully depict and describe the proposed development.
C. 
Specific contents of plans for final approvals. Plans submitted for an application for development seeking final approvals shall contain the following specific details:
(1) 
All details stipulated in § 165-162A and B of this chapter, as they are applicable and necessary to the final design, construction, and approvals requested;
(2) 
All additional plan revisions and/or details that were imposed as conditions at the time of the Board's preliminary approval, or imposed as a result of requirements of construction codes and permits;
(3) 
A complete set of as-built plans, including depiction of all utilities;
(4) 
A signed and certified as-built survey, with permanent monuments;
(5) 
Detailed architectural and engineering data including:
(a) 
An architect's drawings of each building or a typical building, showing front, side and rear elevations;
(b) 
Cross sections, profiles and established grades of all streets, aisles, lanes and driveways, as approved by the Borough Engineer;
(c) 
Plans and profiles of all storm and sanitary sewers and water mains, as approved by the Borough Engineer;
(d) 
All dimensions of the exterior boundaries of any subdivision shall be balanced and closed to a precision of one to 10,000 and the dimensions of all lot lines to within one to 20,000. All dimensions, angles, and bearings must be tied to at least two permanent monuments not less than 300 feet apart and all information shall be indicated on the plan. At least one corner of the subdivision shall be tied to USGS benchmarks with data on the plan as to how the bearings were determined;
(6) 
Such other plan submissions and details as may be necessary to obtain final approval of the Board.
A. 
Contents of survey. Every survey submitted for an application for development shall contain the following:
(1) 
The survey shall be neatly and accurately drawn, and showing the property lot(s) at a scale of one inch equals 30 feet;
(2) 
The survey submission shall be drawn on one of three of the following standard sheet sizes: eight inches by 13 inches, 15 inches by 21 inches, or 24 inches by 36 inches;
(3) 
The survey shall be drawn by a licensed professional engineer and/or land surveyor and shall bear the signature, seal, license number, and address of the person certifying the survey, and shall show the date(s) of preparation and of any revisions. Preparation of the survey shall include a visit to the lot to ensure that all current features are accurately drawn;
(4) 
The survey shall be dated within five years of the date of the application for development, and shall be accompanied by a current affidavit of no change from the property owner, stating that the survey shows current and up-to-date existing conditions;
(5) 
The survey shall contain the following details:
(a) 
Location and size (width and depth) of all principal and accessory structures and fixtures and improvements of any kind whatsoever, including recreational facilities, driveways and other pathways of any kind, fences, walls, patios, decks, utility units, and overhangs from structures;
(b) 
A North arrow, abutting street names, the Borough tax block and lot numbers, and the property owners;
(c) 
Dimensions of all the exterior boundaries;
(d) 
Boundary lines shall be balanced and closed to a precision of one to 20,000;
(e) 
Bearing of each boundary line and the angle between intersecting lines;
(f) 
Bearings shall be in degrees, minutes, and seconds;
(g) 
Indication of any reference corners;
(h) 
Location and kind of each permanent property monument;
(i) 
Front, side, and rear yard setbacks, and second story overhanging setbacks;
(j) 
Setback distances shall be shown in feet to two decimal places.
(6) 
Final as-built survey shall depict all improvements, appurtenances, easements, access rights, and shall depict permanent monuments, if same were required to be installed by law or under the direction of the Borough Engineer or the approving Board.
B. 
Contents of traffic impact study.
(1) 
In any application for development, a traffic impact study shall be provided when determined to be necessary by the Borough Engineer, Borough Zoning Official, or by the applicable Board, due to specific and/or unique site and/or roadway conditions.
(2) 
A traffic study shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer with expertise in traffic and parking matters and shall show the name, address, and license of the preparer, the date of preparation, and the date(s) of any revisions. The extent of the study area and those intersections and other areas to be analyzed will vary depending upon the size and nature of the proposed project and the amount of traffic to be generated.
(3) 
The traffic impact study shall describe all traffic and parking impacts that the application for development will have on surrounding roads. It shall include the following elements:
(a) 
Level of service of existing surrounding roads;
(b) 
Estimated peak hourly traffic to be generated;
(c) 
Assignment of estimated peak hourly traffic by percentage and volume to surrounding roads;
(d) 
Determination of unused capacity of surrounding roads during peak hours;
(e) 
Trip generation calculations based upon the ITE Trip Generation Manual (most current edition available), including pass-by trip calculations. If other data sources are used to project site traffic, the basis of the trip generation must be approved by the Borough Engineer;
(f) 
Recommendations for necessary road improvements, such as acceleration and deceleration lanes and traffic control devices or signage recommended for public roads or highways surrounding the site;
(g) 
Any other information necessary for the Board to make a reasonable judgment as to the impacts of increased traffic or parking in the area of the proposed development.
C. 
Contents of parking layout plan/parking management report.
(1) 
Parking management reports shall be required for all nonresidential and multifamily residential site plan applications that require parking variances. In any application for development, a parking layout plan and/or a parking management report shall be provided when required by the Borough Engineer, Borough Zoning Official, or by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, or as required for conditional uses.
(2) 
A parking layout plan and/or a parking management report shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer, planner, or surveyor with expertise in parking. A parking layout plan shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer or surveyor with expertise in parking. The plan shall show the name, address, and license of the preparer, the date of preparation, and the date(s) of any revisions.
(3) 
If an existing master parking plan has been approved for the site, a copy of same shall be provided as part of the application for development.
(4) 
A parking layout/circulation plan for shall contain the following information:
(a) 
All existing parking and traffic circulation, whether or not existing parking area is properly striped, and changes proposed by the application to be depicted,
(b) 
Indication of number of parking spaces, dimensions of spaces, and designation of handicapped spaces,
(c) 
Description and location of traffic signage within the site and for entry and exit of site;
(d) 
Dropoff and pickup areas if necessary;
(e) 
Fire and emergency zones;
(f) 
Pedestrian circulation;
(g) 
Loading zones if required;
(h) 
Any other information necessary for the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, to make a reasonable judgment as to the impacts of increased parking in the area of the proposed development.
(5) 
A parking management report shall include the following:
(a) 
Parking requirements as set forth in this chapter for the proposed development, existing or new parking development proposed to be utilized by the applicant, and existing usage of parking by others;
(b) 
Analysis of parking demand based on projected employment and specific operational parameters of the proposed use, as well as based on ITE Parking Generation (most current edition) and/or data collected locally for similar uses;
(c) 
Analysis of available parking supplies to meet projected parking demand for employees and customers;
(d) 
Consideration of range of solutions to address parking needs, including the purchase of parking permits in Borough lots to address parking needs for employees.
(e) 
A discussion of the site plan elements and proposed operations, including but not limited to, sight distances, parking, circulation, loading space, site access design and location, pedestrian elements, and recommended traffic control measures;
(f) 
Any other information necessary for the Board to make a reasonable judgment as to the impacts of increased parking in the area of the proposed development.
D. 
Contents of landscaping plan.
(1) 
In any application for development, a landscaping plan shall be provided when determined to be necessary by the Borough Engineer, Borough Zoning Official, or by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be.
(2) 
A landscaping plan shall be prepared by a licensed professional engineer, landscape architect, or surveyor with expertise in landscaping. The plan shall show the name, address, and license of the preparer, the date of preparation, and the date(s) of any revisions.
(3) 
A landscaping plan shall show location and species of all proposed landscaping, including shade trees, screening, and buffer areas, and shall conform to and depict the following:
(a) 
Buffer areas are required along all lot lines in nonresidential districts where the lot lines abut residential uses or residential zoning district lines, except where the lot lines coincide with an existing railroad right-of-way. Each permitted use shall provide and maintain attractively landscaped grounds and suitable screening in order to safeguard the character of adjacent districts.
(b) 
The buffer areas shall have a minimum width of 15 feet. Buffer areas shall be measured horizontally and at right angles to either a straight line or to the tangent lines of curbed lot lines. Buffer areas shall be maintained and kept clear of all debris, rubbish, weeds, and tall grass. No above-surface structure or activity, no storage of materials, and no parking of vehicles shall be permitted in the buffer area. All buffer areas shall be planted and maintained with grass or ground cover, together with a dense screen of trees, shrubs, or other plant materials meeting the following requirements:
[1] 
The plants used in the buffer area shall be hemlock, Austrian pine, or white pine, be of high-quality nursery stock, and be free of insects and disease. The plants shall be at least six feet in height when planted and shall be of such a density to provide a visual screen along the entire length of the buffer area between the nonresidential use(s) and the abutting residential use(s) and/or district(s);
[2] 
In addition to the plants, a six-foot screening fence, such as a close-split cedar pole or basket-weave fence, may also be required;
[3] 
When plants are used in conjunction with a screening fence, the plants shall be planted in a single row. When a screening fence is not required, the plants shall be planted in two staggered rows;
[4] 
All landscaping and buffer areas shall be permanently maintained and plant material which does not live shall be replaced within one year or one growing season;
[5] 
The buffer area shall not be broken unless specifically approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be;
(c) 
Such elements as may be required under § 165-14G(a) for steep slope re-vegetation and land disturbance;
(d) 
Such other elements as shall be necessary as determined by the Borough Zoning Official, or the applicable Board.
A. 
A review to determine if a filing is complete as defined in § 165-10 shall be conducted as follows:
(1) 
Within 45 days after initial submission of an application for development, applicable checklist(s) (with waivers requested), and all required submissions, the Zoning Official or his/her designee shall review the submission and notify the applicant in writing that the application for development is deemed complete or incomplete. If incomplete, the Zoning Official or his/her designee shall specify the required ordinance and/or checklist items that are required. If the Zoning Official or his/her designee deems the application for development a complete application, the Administrative Secretary of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, shall issue a certificate of completeness and schedule the matter for public hearing(s).
(2) 
If the Zoning Official or his/her designee determines that an application is incomplete, the applicant shall be afforded the opportunity to submit a complete application by submitting the additional items or make a continuing request for waiver. If a supplemental submission is made, the Zoning Official or his/her designee shall thereafter have 45 days to review and comment on the supplemental submission, after which the Borough Zoning Official or his/her designee shall notify the applicant in writing that the application for development is deemed a complete application or remains incomplete. If complete, the Administrative Secretary of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, shall issue a certificate of completeness. Thereafter, the Administrative Secretary of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment shall schedule the matter for public hearing(s).
(3) 
Within 45 days of receipt of a complete application, as confirmed in the certificate of completeness issued to the applicant by the Administrative Secretary of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, the matter shall be scheduled for hearing and the appropriate Board shall determine whether any continued checklist waiver request shall be granted or denied, or can be met with testimony within the substantive hearings, which waiver testimony and substantive hearings can be held at the same time. If the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, denies a checklist waiver request, the applicant shall be given an opportunity to submit such additional materials as the Board has determined are necessary. The Board may determine to allow the substantive hearing(s) to begin and to continue same to allow for additional submission by the applicant.
(4) 
Though a prehearing application may be deemed complete, the applicant is still required to prove before the Board that the applicant is entitled to the requested checklist waivers and approvals. The Board may subsequently require correction of any information or submission of additional information as reasonably necessary to make an informed decision.
B. 
Filing of application.
(1) 
At the time of the initial filing of any application for development, the following items shall be filed by the applicant:
(a) 
Sixteen copies of the application (completed);
(b) 
Sixteen copies of each applicable checklist(s) (completed);
(c) 
Sixteen copies of all plans, maps, surveys, and photographs;
(d) 
Sixteen copies of traffic, parking, environmental, or other reports, if applicable;
(e) 
In general, four copies of all other submitted documents;
(f) 
All items specified in the applicable checklist that apply to the application submitted;
(g) 
Additional copies as may be requested by the Administrative Secretary of the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, or the Borough Zoning Official;
(2) 
All parts of the application, plans, and submissions shall be legible and readable.
C. 
Every application shall be accompanied by the fees and escrows in accordance with § 165-166 of this chapter.