(a) Whenever a hearing upon notice is required in any constituent municipality or affected county with respect to the adoption or amendment of a master plan, official map, zoning or subdivision regulations, or to the granting of variances or special exceptions, involving property within the district or within 200 feet of its borders, the person required to give such notice shall also, at least 45 days prior to the hearing, give written notice of the hearing to the commission by registered or certified mail. Said notice of hearing shall contain a brief description of the property involved, its location, a concise statement of the matters to be heard, and a copy of any plan, code, regulations or standards to be approved.
(b) The commission shall be considered a party in interest at such hearing, and no action involving a municipal master plan, zoning ordinance, subdivision, building, or site plan approval, the official map, or the grant or variance or special exception shall be taken by a public body of a constituent municipality, or affected county which shall be inconsistent with the master plan.