BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP
PLANNING BOARD
Regular Meeting
Monday, February 25, 2008
—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, 505 Route 202/206 North, Bridgewater, New Jersey.
OPEN PUBLIC MEETINGS ACT ANNOUNCEMENT:
In accordance with the requirements for the Open Public Meetings Act, this meeting was noticed on January 11, 2008. Notices were sent to the Courier News and The Reporter and were posted in the Bridgewater Township Municipal Building at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. All requirements of the Sunshine Law have been met.
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.
SALUTE FLAG:
There was salute to the flag.
ROLL CALL:
Mr. Rodzinak – present Mrs. Joanne Kane - present
Mrs. Knapp – absent Mr. Leven – present
Councilman Scaglione – present (arrived 7:05pm) Mayor Flannery – present
Chairman Fross – present Ms. Barbara Kane, Alt. #1 - present
Mr. Hayes, Alt. #2 - present
Others present: Board Attorney Thomas Collins, Township Planner Scarlett Doyle, Township Engineer Robert Bogart, Grace Karanja, Planning Board Administrative Assistant
APPROVAL OF BOARD MINUTES:
January 28, 2008, Regular Meeting – Motion by Mrs. Joanne Kane, second by Mayor Flannery, the January 28, 2008 regular meeting minutes of the Planning Board were adopted, as amended, on a unanimous voice vote of those present and eligible to vote.
MEMORIALIZATION OF RESOLUTIONS:
BEYOND MEDSPA, LLC (Quarry Realty)
Block 707 Lot 9 (1924 Washington Valley Rd)
#05-08-PB, Amended Preliminary Site Plan
PROPOSAL: Internal Stairway for direct access to Cellar Space
DECISION: Approved w/conditions, 1/28/08
Motion by Mayor Flannery, second by Mrs. Joanne Kane, the resolution memorializing the approval with conditions, for the above referenced application, was adopted, as amended, on the following roll call vote:
AFFIRMATIVE: Mrs. Joanne Kane, Mr. Leven, Councilman Scaglione, Mayor Flannery, Mrs. Barbara Kane, Chairman Fross
OPPOSED: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Mrs. Knapp
NOT ELIGIBLE: Mr. Rodzinak, Mr. Hayes
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HEARINGS AND DELIBERATIONS:
UNIMARE, LLC
Block 230 Lot 7, (Union Avenue)
#36-04-PB, Amended Preliminary & Final Major Site Plan application
PROPOSAL –Install lighting under the canopy for the drive up window servicing Drug Fair
TIME: 3/23/08
Geoff Soriano, Esq. was present to represent the applicant. The stated that the applicant is requesting approval to install lighting in the canopy over the drive up window servicing Drug Fair, which was recently constructed. This request was not part of the Preliminary and Final site plan with variances approval that was previously granted. He confirmed that the applicant was agreeable to complying with the report of the Township Planner and Township Engineer dated 2/13/08. He also noted that the applicant’s intent is for the canopy lighting to be changed so that it will not be seen by the abutting residences to the North. Lighting levels will be provided to the Township Planner for her review. It was confirmed that lighting will be reduced and/or shielded to the satisfaction of the Township Planner.
The following exhibit was marked into evidence:
A-1 2/25/08 Specifications of the proposed lighting.
The applicant confirmed that flat lense, instead of drop lense will be used. The ultimate goal is that abutting residents will not see the source of the lights.
The Board deliberated and agreed to approve the foregoing application, subject to the following conditions:
· The applicant shall comply with dual report of the Township Planner and Engineer dated 2/13/08
· The applicant shall install lighting and provide lighting levels to the satisfaction of the Township Planner. The purpose is to ensure that residences are not negatively impacted by site lighting.
· Lighting to be installed shall be as depicted on Exhibit A-1 (flat lense, not drop lense will be used).
· The resolution adopting this approval is effective tonight. However, all site work must be completed by April 30, 2008, at which time the extended Temporary Certificate of Occupancy will expire.
Motion by Motion by Mayor Flannery, second by Mrs. Joanne Kane, the foregoing approval with conditions was approved and the resolution memorializing the approval was made effective tonight on the following roll call vote:
AFFIRMATIVE: Mr. Rodzinak, Mrs. Joanne Kane, Councilman Scaglione, Mr. Leven, Mayor Flannery, Mrs. Barbara Kane, Chairman Fross
OPPOSED: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Mrs. Knapp
NOT ELIGIBLE: Mr. Hayes
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SOMERSET COUNTY
Block 730 Lot 1 (767 Thompson Ave.)
#02-08-PB, Minor Subdivision application
Time: 2/29/08
Thomas Miller, Esq. was present to represent the applicant. He introduced the following witnesses who were sworn in:
Michael Amorosa, PE
Richard Matthews, PLS
Attorney Miller stated that the request before the Board was for a minor subdivision application for a tract of land consisting of 45 acres that is bounded by Chimney Rock Rd., Thompson Ave., and Highway Route 22. The land is bisected by Middlerook trail. Somerset County’s intent is to acquire 19.3 acres of the property bound by Thompson Ave (proposed lot 1.02). The remainder of the tract will be retained by the current owner, Chimney Rock Crossing East, LLS (proposed lot 1.01). There is an existing building on lot 1.02 which creates a pre-existing non conforming situation. However, the building is proposed to be demolished, thereby making the lot conforming.
The applicant agreed to comply with the joint reports of the Township Planner and Engineer dated 1/24/08.
Township Engineer Bogart asked about dedication of additional right of way width. The Board discussed this issue. The area in question is on a County Rd. Board Attorney Collins stated that this was a County matter.
On question of the Board, Attorney Miller confirmed that they do not know the eventual use of the proposed lots. With regard to the lot that will be purchased by the County, he noted that there is no contemplated use today or in the near future. Board Attorney Collins noted that site plan review and approval will be necessary in the future when a use for the lots is established. As for the lot owned by the County, the review would be deemed a ‘courtesy review’.
Mayor Flannery made motion to approve the minor subdivision application as discussed. The motion was seconded by Mr. Rodzinak and carried on the following roll call vote:
AFFIRMATIVE: Mr. Rodzinak, Mrs. Joanne Kane, Councilman Scaglione, Mr. Leven, Mayor Flannery, Mrs. Barbara Kane, Chairman Fross
OPPOSED: None
ABSTENTIONS: None
ABSENT: Mrs. Knapp
NOT ELIGIBLE: Mr. Hayes
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FNC REALTY (Kimco)
Block 166 Lot 6 (794 NJ State Highway Route 202)
#32-07-PB, Preliminary Major Site Plan w/variances
PROPOSAL – Day care center & Retail Store
TIME: 4/2/08
Meryl Gonchar, Esq. was present to represent the applicant. She confirmed that this is the continuation of a meeting that commenced on 1/28/08. She introduced her first witness, Landscape Architect Gregg Spadoro, CLA who was sworn in. He presented his professional and education credentials which were accepted by the Board.
Landscape architect Spadoro discussed in detail exhibits which were marked into evidence as follows:
A-4 2/25/08 Photoboard (existing and proposed) - facing North from the parking lot of Frank’s Nursery.
Landscape architect Spadoro discussed the buffer requirement noting that the Ordinance requires a 50-foot minimum buffer between the C-1 zone and the adjacent residential zone. The applicant is proposing a 37.5-foot residential buffer. He discussed three (3) key elements that he believed, when completed, will meet the intent of the Ordinance:
- Preserve the existing vegetation along the property line where two (2) 6” curbs are proposed
- Supplement the buffer with sixty eight (68) large evergreen trees (6 to 8-ft in height)
- Grade change in order to better screen the abutting residential neighborhood from the activities of the proposed facility
Township Planner Doyle noted that the buffer departure in the rear, along the play area was 25-ft to 27-ft., not 37.5-ft as presented by Mr. Spadoro.
Architect Spadoro discussed in detail the proposed tree plantings and landscaping in the entire site, including highway 202 and the detention basin. He discussed the trees that will be preserved and those that will be removed, the types of trees that are proposed for this site, the amount of trees and landscaping that is proposed. He argued that landscaping as proposed compensates for the shortcomings in meeting the Ordinance requirements as it relates to a minimum buffer requirement when abutting a residential zone and the requirement that street trees be installed three (3) feet inside the property line. The applicant’s proposal is for the street trees along Route 202 to be set back 20-ft from the property line.
During the public portion of the meeting, the following members of the public were present and were sworn in:
Cheryl & David Kinsley, 261 Milltown Rd. - They noted concerns with the proposed landscaping plan and testimony presented with regard to the buffer noting a lack of sufficient buffer at the area across from their lot.
The Board was concerned that the testimony being presented was not specific in detail, as is customary for other applicatioins. The Board noted that they would like a detailed synopsis of how the applicant would comply with the reports of the Township Planner and Engineer. The Board was also concerned the applicant was not doing enough to screen the residents abutting this site given the fact that extensive variances, which are mostly buffer related, are being requested.
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Chairman Fross called for a five (5) minute recess at approximately 9:10pm. The meeting reconvened at approximately 9:15 pm with all members present as before.
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The applicant confirmed that they were not ready to proceed on this matter tonight and asked to be carried to a future date in order to allow them time to revise their plans and resolve the concerns brought forth by the Board and the public. The Board agreed to carry the hearing for this matter to March 24, 2008. No additional notice will be provided.
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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 9:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Grace Karanja,
Assistant Planning Board Secretary
ADOPTED 3/11/08
