The purpose of this article is to establish the procedure for Board review and action on applications for subdivisions and/or site plans. The procedure is intended to provide orderly and expeditious processing of such applications.
A. 
For the purpose of expediting applications and reducing subdivision and site plan design and development costs, a preapplication conference is recommended.
B. 
The purpose of the preapplication conference is to:
(1) 
Acquaint the applicant with the substantive procedural requirements of the subdivision and site plan ordinance;[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Art. XII, Subdivision and Site Plan Procedures, of this chapter.
(2) 
Provide for an exchange of information regarding the proposed development plan and applicable elements of the Master Plan, this chapter and other development requirements;
(3) 
Otherwise identify policies and regulations that create opportunities or pose significant constraints for the proposed development;
(4) 
Review any proposed concept plans and consider opportunities to increase development benefits and mitigate undesirable project consequences;
(5) 
Permit input into the general design of the project.
C. 
The preapplication conference shall provide for the applicant to meet with the Subdivision and Site Plan Review Advisory Committee as designated under § 51-13.
D. 
Applicants seeking a preapplication conference shall request a meeting of the Subdivision and Site Plan Review Advisory Committee with the Comprehensive Planning Office.
E. 
The applicant shall not be required to pay a fee for the preapplication conference.
F. 
The applicant shall not be bound by the preapplication conference, nor shall the reviewing board be bound by any such review.
A. 
In addition or as an alternative to the preapplication conference, at the request of the applicant, the Planning Board or the Subdivision and Site Plan Review Advisory Committee may grant an informal review of a concept plan for a development for which the applicant intends to prepare and submit an application for development. The purpose of the concept plan is to provide Planning Board or Subdivision and Site Plan Review Advisory Committee input in the formative stages of subdivision and site plan design.
B. 
Applicants seeking concept plan informal review shall submit the items stipulated in § 51-75 at least 10 days before the concept plan meeting. These items provide the applicant and Planning Board or Subdivision and Site Plan Review Advisory Committee with an opportunity to discuss the development proposal in its formative stages.
C. 
A brief written summary of the concept plan review shall be provided within 15 working days after the final meeting. Neither the applicant nor the reviewing board shall be bound by such review.
D. 
The applicant shall be charged reasonable fees for concept plan review as stipulated in Article X, § 51-56. The amount of any fees for such informal review shall be a credit towards fees for review of the application for development.
The applicant shall have the option of seeking the direction of the Zoning Officer as to which approvals are required and the appropriate board for hearing the same or for filing an application and proceeding before the board which the applicant believes to be appropriate. The Zoning Officer's determination shall have a presumption of validity. The following applications may be filed:
A. 
Full or partial escrow deposit exemption per § 51-57.
B. 
Minor subdivision per § 51-70.
C. 
Major preliminary subdivision per § 51-71.
D. 
Major final subdivision per § 51-73.
E. 
Site plan waiver per § 51-82.
F. 
Minor site plan per § 51-70.
G. 
Preliminary major site plan per § 51-72.
H. 
Final major site plan per § 51-73.
I. 
Conditional use per § 51-20.
J. 
Variance per § 51-20.
(1) 
Hardship.
(2) 
Substantial benefit.
(3) 
Restricted use and/or principal structure.
(4) 
Expansion of nonconforming use.
(5) 
Deviation from specification/standard pertaining to conditional use.
(6) 
Excess of maximum floor area ratio allowed.
(7) 
Excess of maximum density allowed.
(8) 
Excess of maximum height allowed.
K. 
Request for interpretation and/or special questions of the Zoning Map or this chapter.
L. 
Appeal of Zoning Officer determination.
An application for development shall include the items specified in Article XII (§§ 51-67 through 51-74) and Article XV (§§ 51-80 through 51-82) of this chapter and in Schedule D, Site Plan Application Checklist, which constitutes a checklist of items to be submitted for subdivision, site plan and use variance review. A copy of this checklist, together with an IRS W-9 form, shall be completed by the applicant and submitted with the application form.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Checklists referred to in this chapter are on file and available in the applicable City office.
A. 
Applications to the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment shall be deemed to be complete in accordance with the Municipal Land Use Law, N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., and as set forth in this chapter.
A. 
Applications for development shall be filed with the Administrative Officer at least 10 days before the date of the meeting of the board or the date set for hearing.
B. 
At the time of filing, the applicant shall also file a complete application, which shall constitute all plot plans, maps or other papers required by virtue of any provision of this chapter.
C. 
No application shall be placed on the board agenda for review or approval until all reviews for completeness are satisfied.
D. 
Any application determined to be incomplete or denied by the board may be resubmitted by the applicant, provided that all revisions from the original application are clearly shown and fully address all reasons for the board's determination or denial.
E. 
The applicant shall pay any necessary filing fees established by the governing body before an application can be deemed complete.