A.Â
If, before final approval has been obtained, any person
transfers or sells or agrees to sell, as owner or agent, any land which forms
a part of a subdivision on which, by ordinance, the Planning Board is required
to act, such person shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment
for a term not exceeding 90 days or a period of community service not exceeding
90 days, or any combination thereof, and each parcel, plot or lot so disposed
of shall be deemed a separate violation.[1]
B.Â
In addition to the foregoing, if the streets in the subdivision
are not such that a structure on said land in the subdivision would meet requirements
for a building permit under Section 10 of the Official Map and Building Permit
Act (1953),[2] the municipality may institute and maintain a civil action for
injunctive relief or to set aside and invalidate any conveyance made pursuant
to such a contract or sale. In any such action the transferee, purchaser or
grantee shall be entitled to a lien upon the portion of the land from which
the subdivision was made that remains in the possession of the subdivider
or his or her assigns or successors, to secure the return of any deposit
made or purchase price paid, and also a reasonable search fee, survey expense
and title closing expense, if any. Any such action must be brought within
two years after the date of the recording of the instrument of transfer, sale
or conveyance of said land, or within six years if unrecorded.
[2]
Editor's Note: See now N.J.S.A. 40:55D-32 et seq., 40:55D-60
and 40:55D-76.
These rules regulations and standards shall be considered the minimum
requirements for the protection of the public health, safety and welfare of
the citizens of the Borough of Pennington. Any action taken by the governing
body and 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 or the subdivider's agent can clearly
demonstrate that, because of peculiar conditions pertaining to the land, the
literal enforcement of one or more of these regulations is impracticable or
will exact undue hardship, the Planning Board may permit such variance or
variances as may be reasonable and within the general purpose and intent of
the rules, regulations and standards established by this chapter.