A. Every application for development shall be accompanied by a check payable to the Township of Medford in accordance with the following schedule. See
§ DR-901A for a table of fees and escrows for certain subdivisions.
B. The application charge is a flat fee to cover administrative expenses and is nonrefundable. The escrow account is established to cover the costs of professional services including engineering, planning, legal and other expenses connected with the review of the submitted materials, including any traffic engineering review or other special analysis related to the Township's review of the submitted materials, or any necessary studies regarding "off-tract" improvements. Sums not utilized in the review process shall be returned to the applicant within 15 days of the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy for the development. If additional sums are deemed necessary, the applicant shall be notified of the required additional amount and shall add such sum to the escrow within 15 days; should the applicant not add such sum to the escrow within said 15 days, the applicant shall indicate in writing, prior to any further consideration of the application by the Township, why such sum is not being paid.
C. Where one application for development includes several approval requests, the sum of the individual required application and escrow fees shall be paid.
D. Each applicant for subdivision or site plan approval shall agree to pay all reasonable costs for professional review of the application and for inspection of the improvements. All such costs for review must be paid before any approved plat, plan or deed is signed and all inspection fees must be paid in accordance with § 902.E of the ordinance before any construction permit is issued, and all remaining costs must be paid in full before any occupancy of the premises is permitted or Certificate of Occupancy issued. Payment of any bill rendered by a professional to the municipality with respect to any service for which the municipality is entitled to reimbursement under this ordinance shall in no way be contingent upon receipt of reimbursement by the applicant, nor shall any payment to a professional be delayed pending reimbursement from an applicant.
E. The Administrative Officer shall maintain an itemized account for each application and shall supply a copy of the account to an applicant upon request. The financial officer of the Township shall periodically advise the Administrative Officer of the balance of all escrow accounts and when additional funds are required. It shall be the obligation of the Administrative Officer to notify the applicant of the amount needed and to notify the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment, as the case may be, of any refusal or failure to properly make any payments required.
F. If an applicant desires a court reporter, the cost for taking testimony and transcribing it and providing a copy of the transcript to the Township shall be at the expense of the applicant who shall arrange for the reporter's attendance.
G. Waiver for Nonprofit Organizations. Notwithstanding the fee and escrow standards identified herein, any property in fee-simple ownership and used for a charitable, philanthropic, fraternal or religious nonprofit organization which is organized and operated as a not-for-profit entity pursuant to the Federal Internal Revenue Code of 1954 [26 U.S.C. § 501(c) or (d)] is exempt from the fees and escrow payments for the following applications:
1. Informal concept subdivision plat (one appearance).
2. Informal concept site plan (one appearance).
3. Conditional uses not including required site plan or subdivision review.
4. Waiver of site plan.
5. Variances interpretations.
6. Bulk variances.
7. Permit variances.
8. Extension approvals.
9. Subdivision approval certificate.
10. Historic review.
11. Sign permit fee.
12. Driveway permit fee.
13. Forestry permit fee.