This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Land Subdivision Ordinance of the Township of Cedar Grove (1963)."
A. 
The purpose of this chapter shall be to provide rules, regulations and standards to guide land subdivision in the Township in order to promote the public health, safety, convenience and general welfare of the municipality. It shall be administered to ensure orderly growth and development, the conservation, protection and proper use of land and adequate provision for circulation, utilities and services.
B. 
This chapter shall not be construed as superseding or repealing Chapter 268, Zoning of the Code of the Township of Cedar Grove or any part thereof. All other ordinances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.
C. 
The amendatory provisions of this chapter are intended to comply with the requirements of the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq.
[Added 1-31-1977 by Ord. No. 77-35]
The following words, terms or phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed in this section:
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
The Planning and Zoning Coordinator of the Township of Cedar Grove.
[Added 1-31-1977 by Ord. No. 77-35]
DRAINAGE RIGHT-OF-WAY
The lands required or designated for the installation of stormwater sewers or drainage ditches or delineated along a natural stream or watercourse for preserving the channel and providing for a flow of water therein to safeguard the public against flood damage in accordance with Chapter 1 of Title 58 of the New Jersey Statutes Annotated, as amended.
EASEMENT
A right or interest, less than a fee, held by one person or corporation in land owned by another to be used only for a specific purpose or purposes.
FINAL PLAT
A map of all or a portion of the subdivision which is presented to the Township Planning Board for final approval in accordance with regulations established by this chapter and which, if approved, shall be filed with the proper county recording officer.
LOT
A designated parcel, tract or area of land established by a plat or otherwise as permitted by law and to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
[Amended 1-31-1977 by Ord. No. 77-35]
MAJOR SUBDIVISION
All subdivisions not classified as minor subdivisions.
MASTER PLAN
A composite of one or more written or graphic proposals for the development of the municipality as set forth in and adopted pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-28.
[Amended 1-31-1977 by Ord. No. 77-35]
MINOR SUBDIVISION
A subdivision of land which conforms to each of the following criteria: will result in not more than four lots fronting on an existing improved street, provided that if the aggregate of frontage of said four lots constitutes not less than 80% of all the continuous frontage that is in the same ownership, the remainder of frontage may be included; does not involve a planned development; does not involve any new street; and does not involve an extension of any off-tract improvement or Township facility.
[Amended 1-31-1977 by Ord. No. 77-35; 8-29-1977 by Ord. No. 77-35(a)]
OFFICIAL MAP
A map adopted by ordinance pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-32 through 55D-36.
[Amended 1-31-1977 by Ord. No. 77-35]
OWNER
Any individual, firm, association, syndicate, copartnership or corporation having sufficient proprietary interest in the land sought to be subdivided to commence and maintain proceedings to subdivide the same under this chapter.
PERFORMANCE GUARANTY
Any security which may be accepted by a municipality, including cash, provided that a municipality shall not require more than 10% of the total performance guaranty in cash.
[Amended 1-31-1977 by Ord. No. 77-35]
PLAT
A map of a subdivision.
SKETCH PLAT
A map of a subdivision of sufficient accuracy to be used for the purpose of discussion and classification and meeting the requirements of § 234-7 of this chapter.
STREET
Any street, avenue, boulevard, road, lane, parkway, viaduct, alley or other way which is an existing state, county or municipal roadway or a street or way shown upon a plat heretofore approved pursuant to law or approved by official action or a street or way on a map or plat duly filed and recorded in the office of the county recording officer prior to the appointment of a Planning Board and the grant to such Board of the power to review plats. "Street" also includes the land between the street lines, whether improved or unimproved, and may comprise pavement, shoulders, gutters, sidewalks, parking areas and other areas within the street lines. For the purpose of this chapter, "streets" shall be classified as follows:
A. 
ARTERIAL STREETSThose which are used primarily for traffic not local in destination.
B. 
COLLECTOR STREETSThose which carry traffic from minor streets to the major system of arterial streets and highways, including the principal entrance streets of a residential development and streets for circulation within such a development.
C. 
MINOR STREETSThose which are used primarily for access to the abutting properties.
D. 
MARGINAL ACCESS STREETSThose which are parallel to and adjacent to arterial streets and highways and which provide access to abutting properties and protection from through traffic.
E. 
ALLEYSMinor ways which are used primarily for vehicular service access to the back or the side of properties otherwise abutting on a street.
SUBDIVIDER
Any individual, firm, association, syndicate, copartnership, corporation, trust or any other legal entity commencing proceedings under this chapter to effect a subdivision of land hereunder for himself or for another.
SUBDIVISION
The division of a lot, tract or parcel of land into two or more lots, tracts, parcels or other divisions of land for sale or development. The following shall not be considered subdivisions within the meaning of this act if no new streets are created: divisions of land found by the Planning Board or Subdivision Committee thereof appointed by the Chairman to be for agricultural purposes where all resulting parcels are five acres or larger in size; divisions of property by testamentary or intestate provisions; divisions of property upon court order; and conveyances so as to combine existing lots by deed or other instrument. The term "subdivision" shall also include the term "resubdivision."
[Amended 1-31-1977 by Ord. No. 77-35]
SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE
A Committee appointed by the Chairman of the Planning Board, with the approval of said Board, for the purpose of classifying subdivisions in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The Chairman of the Planning Board shall act as Chairman of said Committee.
[Amended 1-31-1977 by Ord. No. 77-35]
The provisions of this chapter shall be administered by the Cedar Grove Planning Board; except that, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:55D-76, the Zoning Board of Adjustment may administer this chapter whenever the application for subdivision approval involves the granting of an application for a variance to allow a structure or use in a district restricted against such structure or use and, in that event, all references in this chapter to Planning Board shall be deemed to read the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
The rules, regulations and standards set forth in this chapter shall be considered the minimum requirements for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Cedar Grove. Any action taken by the Planning Board under the terms of this chapter shall give primary consideration to the above-mentioned matters and to the welfare of the entire community. However, if the subdivider can clearly demonstrate that because of peculiar or unique conditions pertaining to his land the literal enforcement of any of the provisions of this chapter relating to the design and layout of subdivisions is impracticable or would result in undue hardship, the Planning Board may permit such variation in the application thereof as may be reasonable and within the general purpose and intent of the rules, regulations and standards established by this chapter.