Site Plan Review

The environmental commission has both the legal authority and the responsibility for taking part in the site plan review process.  The enabling legislation states that an environmental commission has responsibility for “the protection, development or use of natural resources, including water resources, located within its territorial limits” and if a municipality has an Environmental Resource Inventory (ERI) or Natural Resource Inventory (NRI)  then a copy of every application for development must be submitted to the EC for review.  In addition, the Municipal Land Use Law requires that a member of the environmental commission be a member of the planning board.

What is required in a Site Plan Review?

An ordinance requiring site plan review and approval shall require that a developer submit to the administrative officer a site plan and such other information as is reasonably necessary to make an informed decision as to whether the requirements necessary for preliminary site plan approval have been met. The site plan and any engineering documents to be submitted shall be required in tentative form for discussion purposes for preliminary approval. If any architectural plans are required to be submitted for site plan approval, the preliminary plans and elevations shall be sufficient.

If the planning board required any substantial amendment in the layout of improvements proposed by the developer that have been the subject of a hearing, an amended application for development shall be submitted and proceeded upon, as in the case of the original application for development. The planning board shall, if the proposed development complies with the ordinance and this act, grant preliminary site plan approval either within 45 days or 95 days of a completed application depending on the size of the development.

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