[1]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 109, Highlands, for specific development application requirements and exemptions for lands within the Highlands Preservation and Planning Areas.
At least 16 legible prints of the plat containing all data required in § 115-152, together with three completed applications for preliminary approval and all fees as required, shall be submitted to the Planning Board Clerk at least three weeks prior to the regular Planning Board meeting at which it is to be considered.
The following exhibits shall be filed with all preliminary plats:
A. 
Two copies of an affidavit of ownership or letter from owner authorizing submission of the plat.
B. 
Two copies of a letter of intent stating the following information if known:
(1) 
Types of structures(s) to be erected.
(2) 
Approximate date of start of construction.
(3) 
Priority of construction (point or location).
(4) 
A tentative section plan for the entire subdivision indicating all facilities, including the estimated number of lots on which final approval will be requested.
(5) 
A letter from the Tax Collector indicating that all taxes have been paid to date on the property.
A. 
Copies of the preliminary plat, application form and exhibits shall be forwarded by the Planning Board immediately upon receipt to the following persons or agencies:
[Amended 7-13-1988 by Amendment 1]
(1) 
Township Engineer.
(2) 
County Department of Health.
(3) 
Township Building Inspector.
(4) 
Township Zoning Officer.
(5) 
Environmental Commission.
(6) 
Appropriate fire company.
(7) 
Township Planner.
(8) 
Any other official or agency which may be affected by the proposed subdivision or required to be notified by law.
B. 
Applicant shall be responsible for forwarding all preliminary plans and exhibits to the County Planning Board and other required agencies set forth hereunder.
The officials and agencies cited shall forward their views and recommendations in writing to the Planning Board within 30 days from the receipt of the plat. The preliminary plat shall be referred to the Planning Board (or to a designated subcommittee thereof) for review and recommendations. If reviewed by a subcommittee of the Planning Board, a full report of all meetings, recommendations and discussions shall be forwarded to the Planning Board within 30 days after receipt of the plat by the committee. If the application is found to be deficient, the applicant shall be notified in writing by the Board or the subcommittee of all deficiencies therein within 45 days of the submission of such application or it shall be deemed to be properly submitted. (See also § 115-71P.) Notification of a deficiency shall constitute a rejection of the application.
After all comments have been received or after 30 days have elapsed from date of referral, and after the applicant has made the required changes to the plat, the Planning Board shall, after a review of said plat and of all requirements are met and said application is complete, set the date for the public hearing in accordance with §§ 115-72 and 115-73.
The following shall be submitted to the Planning Board by the applicant:
A. 
Notice and proof of publication as required under §§ 115-73B, 115-73C and 115-73I.
B. 
Affidavit of notice of public hearing to persons and agencies served, giving a list of the names, addresses and lot and block numbers of owners so notified, how served, date of service and a copy of the notice and mail receipt, as required by § 115-73I.
C. 
If appropriate, a letter from the appropriate fire company stating that the proposed road system is adequate.
D. 
A letter from the Hunterdon County Board of Health or appropriate municipal, County or state authority approving the proposed individual or common sewage disposal facility and individual water supply systems.
A. 
Upon submission to the administrative officer of a complete application for a subdivision, the Planning Board shall grant or deny preliminary approval within the time prescribed by N.J.S.A. 40:55D-48c or other applicable provision of the Municipal Land Use Law which shall apply.
B. 
A copy of the appropriate resolution or memorializing resolution, including findings of fact and conclusions based thereon in each decision on any application for development, shall be adopted, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-10g, and mailed to the applicant or his or her attorney and published in accordance with N.J.S.A. 40:55D-10h and 40:55D-10i, and such other provisions of the Municipal Land Use Law as shall apply.
[Amended 7-13-1988 by Amendment 1]
C. 
If substantial changes or amendments are required, such as changes to the drainage and circulation pattern, lot configuration or number of lots, as a result of the public hearing or of the Planning Board deliberations, the applicant may be required to resubmit the plat for preliminary approval.
[Amended 7-13-1988 by Amendment 1]
A. 
The Planning Board shall approve, conditionally approve or reject the application. Approval or conditional approval confers upon the applicant the following rights for a five-year period from the date of approval or conditional approval:
(1) 
The general terms and conditions on which preliminary approval was granted shall not be changed, including but not limited to use requirements; layout and design standards for streets, curbs and sidewalks; lot size; yard dimensions and off-tract improvements; except that nothing herein shall be construed to prevent the Township from modifying by ordinance such general terms and conditions of preliminary approval as relate to public health and safety.
(2) 
That the applicant may submit for final approval on or before the expiration date of preliminary approval the whole or a section or sections of the preliminary subdivision plat.
B. 
If either the Planning Board or the County Planning Board disapproves a plat, the reasons for disapproval shall be remedied prior to further consideration. If approval is required by any other officer or public body, the same procedure as applies to submission to and approval by the County Planning Board shall apply. The Planning Board may grant conditional approval subject to the subsequent approval of other officers and public bodies.
A. 
The applicant may apply for and the Planning Board may grant extensions on such preliminary approval for additional periods of at least one year but not to exceed a total extension of two years, provided that if the design standards have been revised by ordinance, such revised standards may govern.
B. 
In the case of a subdivision for an area of 50 acres or more, the Planning Board may grant the rights referred to in Subsection A above for such period of time, no longer than three years, as shall be determined by the Planning Board to be reasonable, taking into consideration the number of dwelling units and nonresidential floor area permissible under preliminary approval, economic conditions, and the comprehensiveness of the development. The applicant may apply for thereafter and the Planning Board may thereafter grant an extension of preliminary approval for such additional period of time as shall be determined by the Planning Board to be reasonable, taking into consideration the above factors, provided that if the design standards have been revised, such revised standards may be required by the Planning Board.
[Amended 7-13-1988 by Amendment 1]
The applicant may apply for and the Board for good cause shown may grant extensions of 30 days each to complete the conditions of the development application, provided that no more than two such extensions shall be granted except in the case of extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the applicant. If such extension is not granted, any conditional approval granted shall lapse.