40:55D-85.1. Appeal to municipality of final decision on application for development by regional planning board or zoning board of adjustment

a. In the case of any final decision of a regional planning board or regional zoning board of adjustment approving an application for development, the governing body of the municipality in which the land is situated which is the subject of the application for development may hear and decide an appeal by any interested party of this approval if the application for development is of a class of applications for development specified by ordinance as so subject to appeal. The appeal shall be made within 10 days of the date of publication of the final decision pursuant to subsection i. of section 6 of P.L. 1975, c. 291 (C. 40:55D-10). The appeal to the governing body shall be made by serving the municipal clerk in person or by certified mail with a notice of appeal specifying the grounds thereof and the name and address of the appellant and name and address of his attorney, if represented. The appeal shall be decided by the governing body only upon the record established before the regional board.

b. Notice of the meeting to review the record below shall be given by the governing body by personal service or certified mail to the appellant, to those entitled to notice of a decision pursuant to subsection h. of section 6 of P.L. 1975, c. 291 (C. 40:55D-10) and to the board from which the appeal is taken, at least 10 days prior to the date of the meeting. The parties may submit oral and written argument on the record at the meeting, and the governing body shall provide for verbatim recording and transcripts of the meeting pursuant to subsection f. of section 6 of P.L. 1975, c. 291 (C. 40:55D-10.)

c. The appellant shall, (1) within five days of service of the notice of the appeal pursuant to subsection a. hereof, arrange for a transcript pursuant to subsection f. of section 6 of P.L. 1975, c. 291 (C. 40:55D-10) for use by the governing body and pay a deposit of $50.00 or the estimated cost of such transcription, whichever is less, or (2) within 35 days of service of the notice of appeal, submit a transcript as otherwise arranged to the municipal clerk; otherwise, the appeal may be dismissed for failure to prosecute.

The governing body shall conclude a review of the record not later than 95 days from the date of publication of notice of the decision below pursuant to subsection i. of section 6 of P.L. 1975, c. 291 (C. 40:55D-10) unless the applicant consents in writing to an extension of the period. Failure of the governing body to hold a hearing and conclude a review of the record below and to render a decision within the specified period shall constitute a decision affirming the action of the board.

d. The governing body may reverse, remand, or affirm with or without the imposition of conditions the final decision of the regional board.

e. The affirmative vote of a majority of the full authorized membership of the governing body shall be necessary to reverse, remand, or affirm with or without conditions any final action of the regional board.

f. An appeal to the governing body shall stay all proceedings in furtherance of the action in respect to which the decision appealed from was made unless the board from whose action the appeal is taken certifies to the governing body, after the notice of appeal shall have been filed with the board, that by reason of acts stated in the certificate a stay would, in its opinion, cause imminent peril to life or property. In such case, proceedings shall not be stayed other than by an order of the Superior Court on application upon notice to the board from whom the appeal is taken and on good cause shown.

g. The governing body shall mail a copy of the decision to the appellant or if represented then to his attorney, without separate charge, and for a reasonable charge to any interested party who has requested it, not later than 10 days after the date of the decision. A brief notice of the decision shall be published in the official newspaper of the municipality, if there is one, or in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. The publication shall be arranged by the applicant unless a particular municipal officer is so designated by ordinance; but nothing contained herein shall be construed as preventing the applicant from arranging the publication if he so desires. The governing body may make a reasonable charge for its publication. The period of time in which an appeal to a court of competent jurisdiction may be made shall run from the first publication, whether arranged by the municipality or the applicant.

h. Nothing in this act shall be construed to restrict the right of any party to obtain a review by any court of competent jurisdiction according to law.

L. 1985, c. 516, s. 17.