40:27-6.2. Review and approval of all subdivisions of land; procedures; engineering and planning standards

The board of freeholders of any county having a county planning board shall provide for the review of all subdivisions of land within the county by said county planning board and for the approval of those subdivisions affecting county road or drainage facilities as set forth and limited hereinafter in this section. Such review or approval shall be in accordance with procedures and engineering and planning standards adopted by resolution of the board of chosen freeholders. These standards shall be limited to:

a. The requirement of adequate drainage facilities and easements when, as determined by the county engineer in accordance with county-wide standards, the proposed subdivision will cause storm water to drain either directly or indirectly to a county road, or through any drainageway, structure, pipe, culvert, or facility for which the county is responsible for the construction, maintenance, or proper functioning;

b. The requirement of dedicating rights-of-way for any roads or drainageways shown on a duly adopted county master plan or official county map;

c. Where a proposed subdivision abuts a county road, or where additional rights-of-way and physical improvements are required by the county planning board, such improvements shall be subject to recommendations of the county engineer relating to the safety and convenience of the traveling public and may include additional pavement widths, marginal access streets, reverse frontage and other county highway and traffic design features necessitated by an increase in traffic volumes, potential safety hazards or impediments to traffic flows caused by the subdivision;

d. The requirement of performance guarantees and procedures for the release of same, maintenance bonds for not more than 2 years duration from date of acceptance of improvements and agreements specifying minimum standards of construction for required improvements. The amount of any performance guarantee or maintenance bond shall be set by the planning board upon the advice of the county engineer and shall not exceed the full cost of the facility and installation costs or the developer's proportionate share thereof, computed on the basis of his acreage related to the acreage of the total drainage basin involved plus 10% for contingencies. In lieu of providing any required drainage easement a cash contribution may be deposited with the county to cover the cost or the proportionate share thereof for securing said easement. In lieu of installing any such required facilities exterior to the proposed plat a cash contribution may be deposited with the county to cover the cost of proportionate share thereof for the future installation of such facilities. Any and all moneys received by the county to insure performance under the provisions of this act shall be paid to the county treasurer who shall provide a suitable depository therefor. Such funds shall be used only for county drainage projects or improvement for which they are deposited unless such projects are not initiated for a period of 10 years, at which time said funds shall be transferred to the general fund of the county, provided that no assessment of benefits for such facilities as a local improvement shall thereafter be levied against the owners of the lands upon which the developer's prior contribution had been based. Any moneys or guarantees received by the county under this paragraph shall not duplicate bonds or other guarantees required by municipalities for municipal purposes.

e. Provision may be made for waiving or adjusting requirements under the subdivision resolution to alleviate hardships which would result from strict compliance with the subdivision standards. Where provision is made for waiving or adjusting requirements criteria shall be included in the standards adopted by the board of chosen freeholders to guide actions of the county planning board.

Notice of the public hearing on a proposed resolution of the board of chosen freeholders establishing procedures and engineering standards to govern land subdivision within the county, and a copy of such resolution, shall be given by delivery or by certified mail to the municipal clerk and secretary of the planning board of each municipality in the county at least 10 days prior to such hearing.

L.1968, c. 285, s. 4, eff. July 1, 1969.