Township of Moorestown, NJ Article V Site Plan Review

[Added 1-24-1977 by Ord. No. 857]

§ 158-36 Referral to Planning Board; land development.

A. [1]In furtherance of the purposes specified in § 158-2 hereof, all applications for building or zoning permits for any land development involving commercial uses, industrial uses or other nonresidential uses, where six or more parking spaces are required under the provisions of the Moorestown Township Zoning Ordinance;[2] or the construction of a railroad siding or extension thereof; any multiple-family dwelling containing three or more dwelling units; or any mining, excavation or landfill operations shall be referred to the Planning Board for review and action in accordance with the procedures and standards prescribed in this chapter.

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 158-35.1, Conservation design, added 9-22-2008 by Ord. No. 22-2008, which immediately preceded this section, was repealed 9-13-2021 by Ord. No. 30-2021.

[2] Editor's Note: See Ch. 180, Zoning.

B. For purposes of administering site plan review provisions, in addition to new structures or uses, land development shall be interpreted to include:

(1) Any addition to or change in the use of an existing building or land for which the Zoning Ordinance requires any increase in the resulting number of parking spaces to six or more parking spaces.

(2) Any change in the number, location, design or layout of parking facilities where the Zoning Ordinance requires six or more resulting parking spaces.

(3) Any change in the location of an access to or exit from a parking lot or a loading-unloading area to a public street.

(4) Creation, addition to or change of any drive-through commercial establishment or operation.

[Added 1-23-1984 by Ord. No. 1191]

§ 158-37 Site plan review requirements.

Application for site plan approval shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of § 158-7 hereof and shall be accompanied by the following:

A. A plan or plans describing the integrated or overall development of the tract of land for which an application is made, drawn to a scale of not less than one inch equal to 100 feet, and showing:

(1) The location, boundaries, dimensions and ownership of land to be included and the names of the owners of districts in which located.

(2) The location, use, dimensions and arrangement of all existing and proposed buildings and structures, signs, streets, sidewalks, railroads, railroad sidings or extensions thereof and open spaces, including the height of all buildings; the location and capacity of all areas to be used for off-street parking, parking lot layout, loading and unloading; the location and dimensions for all accessways, entrances, exits, traffic flow patterns and other provisions for accommodating traffic; and the location of all areas devoted to planting, landscaping or similar purposes.

(3) Provisions made for pedestrian circulation.

(4) The total gross floor area of all buildings, including basement.

(5) The physical features of the tract, including existing topography and proposed grading contours of not less than two-foot intervals.

(6) The provisions made for all sewage and industrial waste disposal; the collection, storage and disposal of refuse; water supply; stormwater drainage; exterior lighting and similar facilities; exterior air-conditioning equipment and other machinery and apparatus; and the location of all of same. All such improvements shall comply with the standards established in Article IV hereof, with the Floodplain Ordinance (Ordinance No. 688, as amended and supplemented)[1] controlling encroachment in floodways and flood hazard areas, the Standards for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in New Jersey, as approved by the State Soil Conservation Committee, and with such other applicable environmental standards as may be promulgated by federal, state and county agencies.

[1] Editor's Note: See Ch. 83, Flood Damage Prevention.

(7) A description, rendering, sketch, picture or plans of proposed buildings or structures, including signs, Business Park Districts, complete front, side and rear elevations, shall be shown.

[Amended 5-10-2021 by Ord. No. 11-2021]

B. Information sufficient to demonstrate that satisfactory arrangements will be made to accommodate probable increases in traffic and to facilitate traffic movement on all streets in the vicinity of the proposed use. In the case of a shopping center or industrial park, a professional traffic study shall be submitted providing this information.

C. A plan or description of buffer or screening devices and areas to be installed and provisions to be made for the maintenance thereof.

D. For conditional uses and where interior changes or alterations are to be made which will require review and approval by the Planning Board under the provisions of Section 1202 of the Zoning Ordinance,[2] floor plans shall be submitted, identifying such changes or alterations, including location and construction details of walls, partitions, doors, exits, plumbing, common areas and other common facilities.

[2] Editor's Note: See Ch. 180, § 180-102.

E. Applications for the conversion of any dwelling unit into apartments, the enlargement, expansion, alteration, relocation or consolidation of a nonconforming use or the conversion of any building from one use into another shall be accompanied by complete building plans and specifications which indicate compliance with the Township Zoning Ordinance and the state Uniform Construction Code.[3]

[3] Editor's Note: See Ch. 56, Construction Codes, Uniform.

F. Sufficient data in all instances to enable the Planning Board to judge the effectiveness of the design and character of the proposed development, to consider properly the relationship of the proposed development or use to surrounding areas, anticipated traffic, public health, safety and general welfare and the like and to determine that the proposed plan and use comply with the requirements of the district and all other pertinent requirements of the Township.

G. In its review of major or minor site plans, the Planning Board may waive or modify any of the above requirements in accordance with the provisions of § 158-11 hereof. The Planning Board may also waive notice and public hearing for an application for development if it finds that such application conforms to the definition of "minor site plan" included in Article I hereof. The Planning Board may condition such approval on terms ensuring the provision of improvements which are required by this chapter. Minor site plan approval shall be deemed to be final approval of the site plan by the Planning Board.

[Amended 6-19-1980 by Ord. No. 1036]

H. Final site plan review and approval shall be in accordance with the procedures of Article II hereof.

I. As part of and as a condition for approval for each application for all development or site plans, other than applications for variances, signs, minor site plans and conditional uses, the applicant shall comply with the residential site improvement standards promulgated at N.J.A.C. 5:21-7.1 through N.J.A.C. 5:21-7.6, as amended.

[Added 1-26-1998 by Ord. No. 1845-98]

J. Detention facilities shall be required as a condition of approval where the peak rate or volume of runoff on the property or adjacent thereto in its post development condition will exceed the peak rate or volume of runoff in the precondition for storms with a minimum return period of 100 years.

[Added 1-26-1998 by Ord. No. 1845-98]

K. As part of and as a condition for approval for each application for development, site plans and subdivisions in all zoning districts, other than applications for variances, signs, minor site plans and conditional uses, all new or existing electric, telephone, cable, telecommunications, data and other public or private utility lines required to service the property or any lots to be created thereon and including those lines which run along the property at the street or public right-of-way shall be installed or relocated underground.

[Added 5-18-1998 by Ord. No. 1854-98]

§ 158-38 Performance guaranties.

Performance guaranties shall be submitted in accordance with the provisions of § 158-9 hereof.

§ 158-39 Standards.

In addition to the requirements of this chapter, as from time to time amended and supplemented, the following standards shall be used by the Planning Board as guidelines in reviewing site plans:

A. The existing natural resources on the site and the landscape shall be preserved in the natural state insofar as possible and tree and soil removal kept to a minimum. Grade changes shall be made in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring developed areas. New landscaping and grass and ground cover areas shall be developed as screening and environmental protection of the site.

B. Proposed structures shall be related harmoniously to the terrain and to existing buildings and structures in the vicinity that have a visual relationship to the proposed development. Provision shall be made for screening of all parking, service and loading areas, playgrounds (where required), equipment and storage areas from adjacent properties.

C. Adequate provision shall be made for vehicular and pedestrian circulation, including walkways, interior drives and parking; special attention shall be given to location and number of access points to the public streets, width of interior drives, general interior circulation, separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and arrangement of parking areas that are safe and convenient and do not detract from the design of proposed structures and the neighboring properties.

D. Provision shall be made for the proper location and adequate intensity and direction of outdoor lighting so that lighting shall be reflected away from adjoining premises and public rights-of-way. The size, location, design, color, texture, lighting and materials of all signs shall not detract from the design of the proposed buildings and structures and the surrounding properties and streets or create confusion with other signs or for drivers of vehicles.

E. Provision shall be made for the adequacy of firesafety, security, noise control, sanitation, common facilities (where applicable) and the cleanliness and maintenance of parking and landscaped areas.