Municipal Planning

Question 1

What year did the US Supreme Court uphold zoning laws for the first time?

Answer 1

1926

Question 2

As a general rule, owners wishing to develop their property inconsistent with zoning regulations may go to which board, which has the power to grant variances.

Answer 2

Board of Adjustment

Question 3

Planning Boards have the exclusive right to approve________,but may also grant ________ as long as they only relate to the size and location of the proposed construction.

Answer 3

Subdivisions, variances

Question 4

Which board has the exclusive right to grant use variances?

Answer 4

Boards of Adjustment

Question 5

When applying for a variance the applicant must notify all property owners within how many feet of the subject property?

Answer 5

200 ft

Question 6

Who adopts the Master Plan, the long range plan for a municipality?

Answer 6

The Planning Board

Question 7

Capital Items must have a useful life of how many years?

Answer 7

5

Question 8

True or False. The State Plan is aimed at discouraging rural development.

Answer 8

True

Question 9

Can wetlands be developed?

Answer 9

Some limited use is permitted with DEP approval

Question 10

True or False. At this time laws that prohibit development have not been declared unconstitutional as a persons right to property.

Answer 10

True

Question 11

True or False. From a property tax standpoint, deluxe office buildings are a good rateable that don’t increase demand for costly public programs or education.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

True or false. One can plan too much if allowances are made for changes or if planning takes too much time from other essential tasks.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

What is the primary goal of municipal planning?

Answer 13

To design, construct and maintain an adequate infrastructure while prohibiting incompatable land uses from the same or adjacent areas whenever reasonably possible.

Question 14

Who adopts zoning laws?

Answer 14

The governing body

Question 15

True or false. Planning Boards have the right and are given the opportunity to make recommendations on proposed zoning laws.

Answer 15

True

Question 16

Why do municipalities plan?

Answer 16

To assure residents an adequate infrastructure, to preserve or enhance property values, protect the health and welfare of residents and reduce future maintenance costs.

Question 17

True or false. All municipalities must prepare a capital budget plan: for municipalities with more than 10,000 residents, the plan must be for six years and for small municipalities a minimum three year plan is required.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

Who is responsible for the maintenance of sidewalks in the absence of a law.

Answer 18

The Municipality

Question 19

What are the two main sections of the master plan?

Answer 19

A statement of goals and objectives and a land use section

Question 20

Does the State Government give police power for zoning to local governments?

Answer 20

Yes

Question 21

In the early 1900”s what vehicle promoted urban growth?

Answer 21

The trolley car

Question 22

What is the Municipal Land Use Law

Answer 22

NJSA 40 : 55 D

Question 23

What must you have adopted in order to enforce the Municipal Land Use Law?

Answer 23

An Ordinance

Question 24

True or False. The municipality is the only entity that has the power to zone.

Answer 24

True. The state gives that right and it has been upheld by the US Supreme Court

Question 25

True or False. An owner can continue and expand a nonconforming use.

Answer 25

False

Question 26

What do zoning ordinances regulate?

Answer 26

Types of land use

Question 27

Zoning ordinances must conform what?

Answer 27

The master plan

Question 28

How often should the Master Plan be reviewed?

Answer 28

Every 6 years

Question 29

True or False. Zoning ordinances are not required to be consistent with the Master Plan

Answer 29

True

Question 30

A Zoning Board of Adjustment must have how many members?

Answer 30

Seven

Question 31

“D” variances require how many votes?

Answer 31

5 a super majority

Question 32

A Bulk or “C” variance is generally heard and ruled on by which board?

Answer 32

The Planning Board

Question 33

Use or “D” variances are heard and ruled on by which board?

Answer 33

Zoning Board of Adjustment

Question 34

True or False. All ordinances and decisions by the Zoning Board of Adjustment cannot be appealed.

Answer 34

False

Question 35

What are the duties of the Code Enforcement Official?

Answer 35

Review applications for a permit
Issue notices of violation
Write summons for violation
Enforce Zoning Ordinances
Enforce conditions of approval
Report to the Governing Body
Determine "Abandonment"

Question 36

Code official has how many days to review applications for completeness?

Answer 36

45 days

Question 37

The State Plan favors what method of development?

Answer 37

Cluster

Question 38

The State Plan also seeks to protect the following

Answer 38

Natural resources and historically significant features

Question 39

Condemnation requires payment of what?

Answer 39

100% true market value and must be for the public good

Question 40

What are “Wetlands”

Answer 40

Protected areas around streams and rivers

Question 41

Wetlands are regulated by which organization

Answer 41

NJDEP

Question 42

Wetlands require what size buffer?

Answer 42

100 ft

Question 43

The typical Roadway easement is how many feet?

Answer 43

50

Question 44

The typical roadway or cartway is 30 ft. What is the remaining 10 ft area on either side called?

Answer 44

The Right of Way (ROW)