NOTE: THIS AGENDA IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION. IT IS NOT TO BE USED AS A BASIS FOR IDENTIFYING THE ORDER IN WHICH APPLICATIONS WILL BE PROCESSED. THE ORDER WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE CHAIRMAN AT THE TIME OF THE BOARD MEETING.
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BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP PLANNING BOARD
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
—AGENDA—
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Municipal Courtroom
100 Commons Way
Bridgewater, New Jersey 08807
2. OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT ANNOUNCEMENT:
Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act N.J.S.A. 10:4-6. On May 8, 2009, proper notice was sent to the Courier Newspaper and the Star-Ledger and filed with the Clerk at the Township of Bridgewater and posted on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building.
Please be aware of the Planning Board policy for public hearings: no new applications will be heard after 10:00 pm and no new testimony will be taken after 10:15 pm. Hearing Assistance is available upon request.
3. ROLL CALL:
4. SALUTE FLAG:
5. APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES:
July 14, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes
6. MEMORIALIZATION OF RESOLUTIONS:
6a. SOMERSET COUNTY
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Block 303 Lot 1 (Watson Street)
#18-09-PB
DECISION: Review &recommendations made on 7/14/09
ELIGIBLE: Mr. Rodzinak, Mrs. Joanne Kane, Mr. Leven, Mrs. Barbara Kane, Councilman Albano, Mayor Flannery, Chairman Fross
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6b. BRIDGEWAY CARE CENTER (RE-MEMORIALIZATION)
Block 170 Lot 4.01 (Route 28 Easton Turnpike)
#13-09-PB, Amended Preliminary and Final Site Plan w/variances
PROPOSAL: Additions to existing nursing home
DECISION: Approved w/cond 6/22/09
ELIGIBLE: Mr. Rodzinak, Mrs. Joanne Kane, Mrs. Barbara Kane, Mayor Flannery, Mr. Hayes
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- LAND DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS:
ST BERNARD CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM
Block 400 Lot 26 (500 Route 22)
#20-09-PB, Minor Site Plan
TIME: 9/11/09
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8. BOARD BUSINESS
Possible closed Session discussion by William Savo, Esq.
9. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
Members of the public wishing to address the Board on any matter not listed on the agenda may do so at this time.
10. ADJOURNMENT:
BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP
PLANNING BOARD
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
—MINUTES—
CALL MEETING TO ORDER:
Chairman Fross called the regular meeting of the Bridgewater Township Planning Board to order at 7:00 pm at the Bridgewater Township Municipal Court, 100 Commons Way, Bridgewater, New Jersey.
OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT ANNOUNCEMENT:
Adequate notice of this meeting has been given in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act N.J.S.A. 10:4-6. On May 8, 2009, proper notice was sent to the Courier Newspaper and the Star-Ledger and filed with the Clerk at the Township of Bridgewater and posted on the bulletin board in the Municipal Building.
Please be aware of the Planning Board policy for public hearings: no new applications will be heard after 10:00 pm and no new testimony will be taken after 10:15 pm. Hearing Assistance is available upon request.
SALUTE FLAG:
There was salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL:
Mr. Rodzinak – present
Mrs. Joanne Kane - present
Ms. Barbara Kane – absent
Mr. Leven – absent
Councilman Albano – absent
Mayor Flannery – absent
Chairman Fross – present
Mr. Hayes, Alt. #1 - absent
N. Janine Dickey, Alt. #2 - present
Others present: Thomas Molica, Esq. for Board Attorney Thomas Collins, Township Engineer Robert Bogart, Grace Karanja, Assistant Planning Board Secretary
APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES:
July 14, 2009 Regular Meeting – Motion by Mr. Rodzinak, second by Mrs. Dickey, the July 14, 2009 regular meeting minutes of the Planning Board were adopted, as presented, on a unanimous voice vote of those present and eligible to vote.
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MEMORIALIZATION OF RESOLUTIONS:
SOMERSET COUNTY
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Block 303 Lot 1 (Watson Street)
#18-09-PB
DECISION: Review &recommendations made on 7/14/09
Motion by Mr. Rodzinak, second by Mrs. Joanne Kane, the above captioned resolution for a capital improvement plan of the County of Somerset for the Frank “Nap” Torpey Athletic Complex was adopted, as presented, on the following roll call vote:
AFFIRMATIVE: Mr. Rodzinak, Mrs. Joanne Kane, Chairman Fross
OPPOSED: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Mr. Leven, Mrs. Barbara Kane, Councilman Albano, Mayor Flannery, Mr. Hayes
NOT ELIGIBLE: Mrs. Dickey
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BRIDGEWAY CARE CENTER (RE-MEMORIALIZATION)
Block 170 Lot 4.01 (Route 28 Easton Turnpike)
#13-09-PB, Amended Preliminary and Final Site Plan w/variances
PROPOSAL: Additions to existing nursing home
DECISION: Approved w/cond 6/22/09
As a result of requested changes to the above captioned resolution by the applicant’s attorney, a re-memorialization is required. The re-memorialization for the above captioned resolution was tabled until the next regularly scheduled Planning Board meeting.
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HEARINGS AND DELIBERATIONS:
ST BERNARD CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM
Block 400 Lot 26 (500 Route 22)
#20-09-PB, Minor Site Plan
TIME: 9/11/09
Lloyd Tubman, Esq. was present to represent the applicant. The following witnesses were sworn in:
· Craig Stires, PE
· Mark Lafleur, Director of the St. Bernard Cemetery
Craig Stires, PE was called forward for his testimony, sworn in and his qualifications reviewed and accepted by the Board as a Professional Engineer. He presented and discussed in detail exhibits which were marked into evidence as follows:
A-1 8/11/09 Colored rendering of a sheet entitled “Existing Conditions Map” as prepared by Craig W. Stires, PE of Stires Associates, PA dated 6/23/09, last revised 7/20/09
A-2 8/11/09 Colored rendering of sheet entitled “Site Plan and Construction Details” as prepared by Craig W. Stires of Stires Associates, PA dated 6/23/09, last revised 7/20/09
Engineer Stires described the site and the applicant’s proposal noting that the existing cemetery property lies on NJ State Highway 28, across from the extension of Vanderveer Road. The premises are within the R-40 zoning district. The application is for approval to install an extension of the existing mausoleum building. There are currently two mausoleum buildings on the property. One mausoleum is 5,898 s.f. and the other is 10,829 s.f. It is on this larger mausoleum that the 4,495 s.f. addition is proposed. The improvement is to be located at the southern end of the existing mausoleum.
Engineer Stires continued to testify that the proposed addition will resemble the existing buildings in appearance. With regard to stormwater management, it was confirmed that there is a stormwater management system within the asphalt drive near the building under the asphalt driveway. Engineer Stires testified that all stormwater will be directed to the drywell located at the rear of the building.
Mr. Lafleur was called forward for his testimony. He testified as to the need for the addition to the Mausoleum noting that this will be the 4th mausoleum building. He added that the 3rd building is now 65% sold out and that they are currently running out of ground space. The height of the proposed building is 22-ft. Additionally, the applicant is willing to provide landscaping and plantings, which although are not part of this application, they will be provided by the applicant in the future as funds become available.
Via the questions from the Board members, Mr. Laufleur confirmed that the rooflines of all buildings will be uniform, the elevations of the buildings are considerably similar and the building materials will be the same. The view of the site from the Avalon building was discussed. There was a consensus between the applicant and the Board that the applicant would continue to provide and maintain their landscaping and plantings in a tasteful manner so as to be considerate to the neighboring properties.
During the course of his testimony, Mr. Lafleur presented and discussed exhibits which were marked into evidence as follows:
A-3 8/11/09 Photograph of site
A-4 8/11/09 Photograph of site showing a view of the site from Avalon’s parking lot
Engineer Stires reviewed the dual report of the Township Engineer and Township Planner dated 7/28/09. The following was confirmed:
- The applicant seeks relief from the requirement that street trees be installed each 50 feet along the highway. The rationale for this request is limited space and NJDOT restrictions. The Board was agreed to grant the waiver, per the recommendation of Township Engineer Bogart.
- This application does not include landscaping of the foundation area and as such, a waiver is required. Engineer Stires testified that it is the applicant’s intent to provide an attractive planting and landscaping design as funds become available. The Board agreed to grant the waiver.
- This application does not include a parking arrangement. Engineer Stires testified that in his opinion, the existing parking is sufficient. The Board was agreeable.
- A full grading plan will be provided. The applicant will work with the Township Engineer to assure a compliant and sufficient grading plan.
- No exterior lighting is proposed.
- The Board agreed to waive the requirement of sidewalks.
- It was agreed that NO Developer’s Agreement is required for this project.
Chairman Fross opened the hearing to the public for questions:
Anthony Rosamilia, 2051 Washington Valley Rd. was present and he was sworn. He confirmed that he owns the property in the back of the cemetery. He discussed drainage problems noting that water comes off the applicant’s property to his property. Township Engineer Bogart noted that he is aware of this problem. The consensus was that the applicant’s Engineer, Mr. Rosamilia and the Township Engineer will get together and devise a solution to these drainage problems.
The Board stipulated on the following conditions:
· The applicant shall comply with the recommendations of the Township Engineer and Township Planner as noted in their report dated 7/28/09.
· A full grading plan will be provided. The applicant’s Engineer, Mr. Rosamilia and the Township Engineer will get together and devise a solution to the drainage problems.
· The applicant will continue to provide and maintain their landscaping and plantings in a tasteful manner so as to be considerate to the neighboring properties.
It was noted that the Board agreed to waive the following:
o Planting of trees adjacent to the highway.
o Sidewalk requirement.
o Parking requirement.
o Landscaping requirement.
Motion by Mrs. Joanne Kane, second by Mr. Rodzinak, the above captioned resolution for a minor site plan was approved, subject to the conditions discussed, on the following roll call vote:
AFFIRMATIVE: Mr. Rodzinak, Mrs. Joanne Kane, Mrs. Dickey, Chairman Fross
OPPOSED: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Mr. Leven, Mrs. Barbara Kane, Councilman Albano, Mayor Flannery, Mr. Hayes
NOT ELIGIBLE: None
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OTHER BOARD BUSINESS:
The Board did not conduct any other business
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Chairman Fross opened the meeting to public for non-agenda items. With hearing none, Chairman Fross closed the public portion of the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT:
It was the consensus of the Board to adjourn the meeting at approximately 7:45pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Grace Karanja,
Assistant Planning Board Secretary
ADOPTED 9-8-09
