Eight (8) copies of the preliminary plat, prepared in accordance with subsection 17-20.3 of this chapter, together with four (4) copies of the completed application forms shall be submitted to the approving authority secretary twenty-one (21) days prior to the regularly scheduled meeting at which consideration is desired. The Secretary of the Board shall forward a copy of the preliminary plat to the County Planning Board, Municipal Clerk, Planning Board Engineer, Planning Consultant, Construction Code Official, Fire Chief, Police Chief, and Superintendent of Public Works for review and comment, if deemed appropriate, however, the Planning Board Engineer and Planning Consultant shall examine such preliminary plat to determine the plat's conformance with the requirements of this chapter and shall file a written report of their findings with the Secretary of the Planning Board. Major subdivision applications shall require the "Low Impact Development Checklist" from Appendix A of the BMP Manual be submitted.

The approving authority shall review the submission for its completeness and take action on accepting or rejecting the submission as a complete application no later than its first regular meeting following the two (2) week review period. If incomplete, the material shall be returned to the developer for a resubmission at least two (2) weeks prior to a subsequent meeting.

If in the opinion of the Board, the application for preliminary approval is complete the applicant will be so advised and a date set for a public hearing required pursuant to C.40:55D-1 et seq. The applicant shall provide notice of the hearing on the application for development in conformance with C.40:55D-12 and subsection 17-10.6 of this chapter and shall file an affidavit of proof of service thereof with the Secretary of the Board prior to the hearing.

The approving authority shall take action after considering the results of the public hearing and the recommendations, if any, made by Municipal, State and County official or agency within the time period prescribed in subsection 17-9.8, or the application for preliminary approval shall be deemed approved.

If the approving authority acts disfavorably on the application for preliminary approval the applicant shall be so advised in conformance with subsection 17-5.8 of this chapter.

If the approving authority requires any substantial amendment in the layout of improvements as proposed by the developer and that plan has 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.

If the approving authority acts favorably on a preliminary plat, the Planning Board Chairman and Secretary shall affix their signatures to the plat with a notation that it has received preliminary subdivision approval, and a copy returned to the applicant with instructions to proceed with final major subdivision approval requirements as prescribed in this chapter.