TOWNSHIP OF EVESHAM ORDINANCE NO

Transcription

1 TOWNSHIP OF EVESHAM ORDINANCE NO AN ORDINANCE SUPPLEMENTING CHAPTER 102 OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EVESHAM CODE AND CREATING A PILOT GRANT PROGRAM TO FACILITATE THE IMROVEMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD ENTRANCEWAY SIGNS WITHIN THE TOWNSHIP OF EVESHAM WHEREAS, a number of named developments and neighborhoods exist within the Township of Evesham, most of which are identified by a sign placed at the development s primary entranceway; and WHEREAS, recently, it has been brought to the attention of the Township Council by concerned residents living within these neighborhoods that, over the course of several years, some of these identifying signs have fallen into disrepair, been damaged, or have not held up well against the elements; and WHEREAS, the Township Council has determined it to be in the public interest that these blighted and deteriorated signs be revitalized and renovated so that the overall appearance of these neighborhoods are improved; and WHEREAS, in order to encourage the restoration and upkeep of these signs, the Township Council has decided to create a pilot program which would provide matching funds of up to $ to a community who seeks to renovate and repair its neighborhood entranceway sign; and WHEREAS, the Chief Financial Officer has advised that funds are available to support this grant program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED AND ENACTED, by the Township Council of the Township of Evesham, County of Burlington, State of New Jersey, that Chapter 102 of the Township Code, be and is hereby supplemented as follows: ARTICLE I: SUPPLEMENTED SECTIONS. Chapter 102 of this Code, entitled Maintenance of Property, is supplemented as follows: 1. [ through remain unchanged] LAW OFFICE Parker McCay P.A is hereby created and entitled Pilot Grant Program to Improve Neighborhood Entranceway Signs and shall read as follows: A. Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish a pilot grant program between the Township and responsible neighborhood associations for the renovation, replacement, and/or maintenance of development entranceway signs. All rules

2 and regulations regarding signs are established in of the Evesham Township Zoning Code. B. Eligible Properties. Residential developments and/or neighborhoods which are identified by a sign placed at the development s primary entranceway shall be eligible to participate in the grant program. Particular neighborhoods that wish to apply and be considered for matching funding must be represented by a Neighborhood Association of at least one interested resident or a Homeowner s Association who is willing to effectuate the restoration and/or replacement of the entranceway signage. C. Eligible Improvements. 1. The property owner(s) and any person or entity holding an equitable or legal interest in the property are eligible to make application for monies under the sign grant program. All applications by any person or entity other than the property owner shall be supported by a notarized letter of permission from the property owner stating that there is no objection to the Neighborhood Association s restoration and/or replacement of the entranceway signage. 2. The Neighborhood Association is required to abide by all maintenance rules as established in (G) of the Township Code and ensuring that all improvements or replacements satisfy any code requirements within the Township, including, but not limited to zoning and building regulations. 3. New signage is required to comport with the design, measurement, and lighting restrictions originally approved by the Township of Evesham Planning Board. Any modifications from the original design must be approved by the Department of Community Development. 4. The Township agrees to waive any and all zoning permit application fees for neighborhood entranceway signs that are restored and/or replaced using grant funds pursuant to the terms of this Article.

3 D. Grant Application. 1. An interested Neighborhood Association will be required to submit an application to the Department of Community Development of the Township of Evesham for approval of the proposed sign restoration/replacement plan. 2. The application, to be provided by the Township, must include and/or attach the following information in order to be considered by the Department of Community Development: a. Detailed description of itemized costs of the improvements to be completed using grant monies, and proof of funds collected to cover the entire cost of restoring/replacing the sign; b. Design and dimensions of the new proposed sign, including lighting, measurements, and distance from streets and homes; c. Contact information for two (2) individuals from the Neighborhood Association to serve as the point of contact regarding the restoration and/or replacement project; and d. Notarized letter of permission from the property owner stating that there is no objection to the Neighborhood Association s restoration and/or replacement of the entranceway signage. E. Matching Grant Amounts. 1. The Township will reimburse the Neighborhood Association an amount not to exceed $ for the restoration and/or replacement of one housing or land development sign, as described in (K) of the Township Code. 2. Every application shall be conditioned upon the availability of grant funds. 3. The Neighborhood Association is solely responsible for collecting and securing sufficient funds to cover the entire restoration and/or renovation project. 4. The Neighborhood Association will be required to enter into an agreement with the Township for a period of five (5) years. After the initial five-year (5-year) term, a representative of the Township will evaluate the condition of the sign, and determine if the neighborhood is eligible to re-apply for the grant program for a second five-year (5-year) term. Should the Township determine

4 LAW OFFICE Parker McCay P.A. that the development entranceway sign is in good maintenance and condition, the parties will enter into a two-year (2-year) agreement wherein reevaluation will occur every two (2) years. F. Completion of Improvements. The Neighborhood Association shall complete all improvements, restoration, or replacement of entranceway sign within one (1) year from the date that the application was approved by the Department of Community Development. Failure to do so will result in the automatic forfeiture of grant funds assigned to the Neighborhood Association without any further notice from the Township. G. Disbursement of Grant Monies. Prior to the disbursement of grant monies, the Neighborhood Association shall provide the following to the Department of Community Development: a. Letter from the Zoning Officer for the Township of Evesham indicating that the improvements have passed all final inspections required pursuant to the Township Code; b. Itemized invoice or receipts showing that the project has been paid in full; and c. Affidavit signed by a representative of the Neighborhood Association stating the amount of funds expended by the Association to undertake the restoration and/or replacement of the entranceway sign. ARTICLE TWO. Repealer, Severability and Effective Date. 1. Repealer. Any and all Ordinances inconsistent with the terms of this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of any such inconsistencies. 2. Severability. In the event that any clause, section, paragraph or sentence of this Ordinance is deemed to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, then the Township Council hereby declares its intent that the balance of the Ordinance not affected by said invalidity shall remain in full force and effect to the extent that it allows the Township to meet the goals of the Ordinance. 3. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect upon proper passage in accordance with the law.

5 NOTICE Please take notice that the ordinance published herewith was introduced and passed on first reading at the Regular Meeting of the Township Council of the Township of Evesham in the County of Burlington, State of New Jersey, held on August 18, 2015, and said ordinance will be further considered for final passage after public hearing at a meeting of said Township Council to be held on September 15, 2015, at 6:30 P.M. in the Municipal Complex, 984 Tuckerton Road, Marlton, New Jersey, at which time and place all persons interested will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning such ordinance. Mary Lou Bergh, RMC Township Clerk