The purpose of this section of the Development Chapter is to provide a review of certain construction in the Municipality in order to promote the safety, general welfare, and health of its inhabitants, enhance the general appearance of the Municipality and further promote the harmonious use, development and design of buildings therein.

All applications to the Administrative Official for a building permit for the use or construction of a new building, structure, parking lot, wall, etc., or other use or alteration of an existing building, use, parking lot, wall, etc., or other construction or change of use other than one (1) single-family detached residential use or one (1) detached two-family residential use and/or permitted accessory uses (unless such dwelling is part of a residential development in construction or planned for construction), an application shall be made for a site plan approval subject to the standards herein specified.

In the case of a change in use, a site plan shall be required unless the change is from a present or approved use to a use where the minimum requirements under the existing zoning ordinance requirements are met. This includes, but is not limited to, off-street parking requirements.

In the case of the first addition or alteration, modification or repair to an existing residential use requiring site plan approval or a commercially used or occupied building or structure, those site plan approvals shall be required of the addition or alteration does not increase the area of the building or structure by more than ten (10%) percent and further provided that the addition or modification meets all other zoning requirements such as, but not limited to, height, setbacks and lot coverage limitations.

No site plan approval shall be required for internal repairs or for external decorations or installations in any building as such terms are defined in the Zoning Code of this Municipality.

This chapter shall not limit the requirements for submission of any variance process or subdivision plans for subdivision approval as otherwise provided by an ordinance in existence or any ordinance hereinafter enacted in the Municipality nor shall site plan approval be required as to any major subdivision as to which final approval has been given prior to the effective date hereof, and if building permits relating to such subdivisions are secured prior to the passage of this chapter.