City of Rahway, NJ Article II Review and Approval

§ 349-2 Review and approval.

A. Applicability. Other than for single-family dwellings and two-family dwellings, no building permit or certificate of occupancy or certificate of continued occupancy shall be issued for any new structure or structure to be changed relative to size or alteration of an existing building as to construction or alteration of an existing site plan until a site plan has been reviewed and approved in accordance with Chapter 53, Land Use Procedures.

[Amended 4-11-2005 by Ord. No. O-10-05; 3-14-2022 by Ord. No. O-8-22]

B. Submission requirements. Each site plan submitted to the Planning Board for approval shall have the following information shown thereon or attached thereto:

(1) Size, height, location and arrangement of all existing and proposed buildings, structures and signs in accordance with the requirements of this chapter, indicating those buildings to remain, including an architect's rendering of elevations, except that such rendering shall not be required where the building cost is less than $10,000.

(2) Proposed circulation plans, including access streets, curbs, aisles and lanes, easements, fire lanes, driveways, parking spaces, loading areas, loading berths or docks, pedestrian walks and all related facilities for the movement and storage of goods, vehicles and persons on the site and for access and egress to and from the site in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. Of particular concern to the Planning Board will be the adequacy of the circulation plan as it relates to the roads and streets in the City. The Planning Board may request a written report from the City Engineer, the planning consultant, the Police Department, the Fire Department, the Health Department, the traffic consultant and other agencies as may be required.

(3) Existing and proposed wooded areas, buffer areas and landscaping, including seeded and/or sodded areas, grading, retaining walls, fencing, signs, recreation areas, shrubbery and trees in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. All buffer areas which shall be provided for the purpose of isolating the activities conducted on this site from adjoining residential areas, if any, shall be indicated.

(4) The location of all existing and proposed drainage, sewerage and water facilities with proposed grades, sizes, capacities and types of materials to be used, including any drainage easements acquired or required across adjoining properties. The method of sewerage and waste disposal and waste incineration, if any, shall be shown. Proposed lighting facilities shall be included, showing the location and height of all attached and freestanding fixtures, indicating the direction the light is to shine and the type of shield intended around the light.

(5) All buildings, streets, alleys, highways, streams, swamps, floodplains and other geographical features within the lot and within 200 feet of any boundary of said lot.

(6) A written description of the proposed operation(s) in the building(s), including the number of employees or members; the number of square feet of enclosed building space; the proposed number of shifts to be worked and the maximum number of employees on each shift; expected truck and tractor-trailer traffic; emission of noise, glare, air and water pollution; safety hazards; and anticipated expansion plans incorporated in the building design.

(7) Evidence of approval by any state agencies having jurisdiction over the proposed use.

§ 349-3 General standards.

For site plan approval, the approving board shall:

A. Determine that there is appropriate provision for access facilities adequate for the estimated traffic from public streets and sidewalks so as to assure the public safety and to avoid traffic congestion. Vehicular entrances and exits shall be clearly visible from the street.

B. Determine that there are fully adequate parking areas and off-street truck loading spaces, in conformity with this chapter and all other pertinent ordinances, for the anticipated number of occupants, employees and persons and that the layout of the parking spaces, truck loading spaces and interior driveways is convenient and conducive to safe operation.

C. Require either suitable planting or fencing, not less than six feet high, along side lot and rear lot lines adjacent to residential uses or zones.

D. Where the installation of outdoor floodlighting or spotlighting is intended, determine that such lighting will not shine directly on any abutting property.

E. Give full consideration to the size, scope, extent and character of the use desired and assure itself that such request is consistent with the plan for future land use in Rahway.

F. Make certain that the proposed use is reasonable in terms of the logical, efficient and economical extension of public services and facilities, such as public water, sewers, police and fire protection, transportation and public schools. Developers shall be required to pay their pro rata share of public improvements required to be installed or updated as a result of approval by the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment of the City of Rahway.

[Amended 5-14-2001 by Ord. No. O-26-01]

G. Guide the development of highway frontage insofar as possible so as to limit the total number of access points, reduce the need for on-street parking and encourage the frontage of buildings on parallel marginal roads or on roads perpendicular to the highway, in order to protect major highways from undue congestion and hazard.

H. Impose such conditions, in addition to those required, as are necessary to assure that the intent of Chapter 421, Zoning, and site plan review requirements are complied with and that the use of the property adjacent to the area included in the proposed change or plan is adequately safeguarded, which conditions may include, but are not limited to, harmonious design of buildings, aesthetics, planting and its maintenance as a sight or sound screen, landscaping, hours of operation, lighting, numbers of persons involved, noise, sanitation, safety, smoke and fume control and the minimizing of toxic, noxious, offensive or hazardous elements. Each use shall be further subject to the applicable conditions and safeguards which are stipulated in this article. For the Central Business District Redevelopment Area, the streetscape details illustrated in the "Downtown Rahway Plan Book," prepared by the Cavendish Partnership, a Division of Dufresne-Henry, North Springfield, Vermont and Banwell Architects, Lebanon, New Hampshire, in February 1999, shall be incorporated into the design of any proposed facility.

[Amended 5-14-2001 by Ord. No. O-26-01]