[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of the Township of Putnam 12-15-2004 by Ord. No. 35 (Ch. 2B of the 2004 Township Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Land division — See Ch. 200.
Zoning — See Ch. 340.
The fixed basic zoning application fees (as set by the Township Board by resolution from time to time) shall hereafter cover costs associated with the following:
A. 
Applicant's appearance at regular Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, and/or Township Board Meetings.
B. 
Mailing and legal notice requirements for public hearings.
C. 
Involvement by Township board members and employees (excluding outside contractors or professionals such as Township engineering, planning, legal counsel, and other services).
In addition to the fixed zoning application fees, all other expenses and costs incurred by the Township which are directly associated with reviewing and processing a zoning application for uses specified in § 157-3 hereof shall be paid (or reimbursed to the Township) from the funds in an escrow account established by the applicant as provided herein. The Township may draw funds from an applicant's escrow account to reimburse the Township for out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Township relating to the application. Reimbursable expenses include, but are not limited to, expenses related to:
A. 
Mailing, legal notices and commission member compensation for special Planning Commission meetings.
B. 
Mailing, legal notices, and Township Board member compensation for special Township Board meetings.
C. 
Mailing, legal notices, and Zoning Board of Appeals member compensation for special Zoning Board of Appeals meetings.
D. 
Services of the Township Attorney directly related to the application.
E. 
Services of the Township Engineer or consultant directly related to the application.
F. 
Services of the Township Zoning Administrator.
G. 
Services of the Township Planner or consultant directly related to the application.
H. 
Services of other professionals working for the Township that are directly related to the application.
I. 
Any additional public hearings, required mailings and legal notice requirements necessitated by the application not covered in § 157-1.
The following applications are subject to escrow accounts:
A. 
Site plan reviews.
B. 
Planned unit developments (PUD).
C. 
Special use approvals.
D. 
Rezoning.
E. 
Plat approvals.
F. 
Site condominiums.
G. 
Private road approvals/permits.
H. 
Variance or other proceedings before the Zoning Board of Appeals where Township officials determine that the scope of the project or application will probably require the assistance of the Township professionals or involve the additional costs referred to in § 157-2 hereof.
I. 
Land division approvals if professional reviews are involved.
A. 
The escrow fees for each application for uses specified in § 157-3 hereof are established at $500 increments commencing with an initial deposit of $1,000 by the applicant with the Township Clerk. The applicant shall provide the initial $1,000 escrow fee to the Township Clerk at the time of application. No application shall be processed prior to the required escrow fee having been deposited with the Township Clerk.
B. 
At no time prior to the Township's final decision on the application shall the balance in the escrow account fall below $500. If the funds in the escrow account drop below $500, an additional deposit of $500 by the applicant into the escrow account shall occur before the application review process will be continued. Additional amounts above $1,000 may be required to be placed in the escrow account by the applicant at the discretion of the Township.
C. 
Any excess funds remaining in the escrow account shall be refunded 60 days after the application has been fully processed, reviewed and the final Township decision has been rendered regarding the project with no interest to be paid on those funds.
D. 
The Township Clerk shall maintain records regarding the escrow account and shall authorize the disbursement of escrow funds in writing. Such escrow funds (from one or more applicants) shall be kept in a separate Township bank account.
E. 
No building permit or final Township approval or permit shall be granted for an application until all outstanding out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Township as specified above have been reimbursed to the Township from the escrow account.
F. 
If an applicant objects to the amount of escrow funds it must deposit with the Township or how the escrow funds have been applied, it can appeal the Township's determination regarding these matters to the Township Board. All such appeals shall be in writing and shall be made not later than 30 days after final Township action regarding the application.