This chapter is derived from a comprehensive
ordinance regulating and limiting the uses of land and the uses and
locations of buildings and structures; regulating and restricting
the height and bulk of buildings and structures and determining the
area of yards and other open spaces; regulating and restricting the
density of population; dividing the Township of Mantua into districts
for such purposes; adopting a map of said Township showing boundaries
and the classification of such districts; establishing rules, regulations
and standards governing the subdivision and development of land within
the Township; establishing a Planning Board and a Zoning Board of
Adjustment; and prescribing penalties for the violation of its provisions.
The short form by which this chapter may be
known shall be the "Land Development Ordinance of the Township of
Mantua."
This chapter is adopted pursuant to N.J.S.A.
40:55D-1 et seq. in order to promote and protect the public health,
safety, morals and general welfare and in the furtherance of the following
related and more specific objectives:
A.
To secure safety from fire, flood, panic and other
natural and man-made disasters.
B.
To provide adequate light, air and open space.
C.
To ensure that the development of individual municipalities
does not conflict with the development and general welfare of neighboring
municipalities, the county and the state as a whole.
D.
To promote the establishment of appropriate population
densities and concentrations that will contribute to the well-being
of persons, neighborhoods, communities and regions and preservation
of the environment.
E.
To encourage an appropriate and efficient expenditure
of public funds by the coordination of public development with land
use policies.
F.
To provide sufficient space in appropriate locations
for a variety of agricultural, residential, recreational and commercial
uses and open space, both public and private, according to their respective
environmental requirements in order to meet the needs of all New Jersey
citizens.
G.
To encourage the location and design of transportation
routes which will promote the free flow of traffic while discouraging
location of such facilities and routes which would result in congestion
or blight.
H.
To promote a desirable visual environment through
creative development techniques and good civic design and arrangements.
I.
To promote the conservation of open space and valuable
natural resources and to prevent urban sprawl and degradation of the
environment through improper use of land.
J.
To encourage planned unit developments which incorporate
the best features of design and relate the type, design and layout
of residential, commercial and recreational development to the particular
site.
K.
To encourage senior citizen community housing construction.
L.
To encourage coordination of the various public and
private procedures and activities shaping land development with a
view of lessening the cost of such development and to the more efficient
use of land.
M.
To promote the conservation of energy through the
use of planning practices designed to reduce energy consumption and
to provide for maximum utilization of renewable energy sources.
A.
The Township Committee affirms by its adoption of
this chapter that it has received and reviewed the land use and housing
elements of the Mantua Township Master Plan, as duly adopted by the
Township Planning Board, and that this chapter is substantially consistent
with the recommendations and provisions of those elements.
B.
The statement of objectives, principles, assumptions,
policies and standards contained in the Mantua Township Master Plan
are adopted by reference and shall be considered applicable to this
chapter.
C.
All future amendments to this chapter shall be made
only after a review of the land use and housing elements of the Master
Plan and in conformity with its statement of objectives, principles,
assumptions, policies and standards.
The provisions of this chapter shall be held
to be the minimum requirements. Where this chapter imposes a greater
restriction than is imposed and required by other provisions of law
or by other rules, regulations or resolutions, the provisions of this
chapter shall control. Where other laws, rules, regulations or resolutions
require greater restrictions than are imposed by this chapter, the
provisions of such other laws, rules, regulations or restrictions
shall control.
