Harding Township Planning Board
September 23, 2013
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
September 23, 2013
PLANNING BOARDHARDING TOWNSHIP
CALL TO ORDER AND STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE
Mr. Saulniercalled the meeting to order at 7:34 P.M. He then made a statement that adequate notice of this meeting wassent to the DAILY RECORD and the OBSERVER TRIBUNEon February 2, 2013. Notice was posted on the bulletin board in the Township Hall on Blue Mill Road in Harding, NJ on February 4, 2013 and filed with the Township Clerk on February 4, 2013.Notice indicated that formal action may be taken.
ROLL CALL
On a call of the roll, the following were present and a quorum represented:
Peter Saulnier, Chair
Isobel Olcott, Vice Chair
Nanette DiTosto, Member
Robert Edgar, Member
Alf Newlin, Member
Joe Schleifer, Member
Susan Kimball, Board Planner
Bill Drew, Board Planner
Paul Fox, Board Engineer
Tom DaCostaLobo for Gary Hall, Board Attorney
Margot Kaye, Planning Board Secretary
Excused:Virginia Moriarty, Member
Tom dePoortere, Member
David Dietz, Member
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Olcottmade a motion to approve the July 22, 2013 Planning Board regular meeting minutes, as written, which was seconded by Mr. Schleifer. On a voice vote, all were in favor.
APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL PLANNER
On behalf of the Board, Mr. Saulnier thanked Ms. Kimball for her 25 years of service and presented her with an engraved pewter bowl to thank her for her numerous contributions.
Mr. Saulnier went on to welcome Bill Drew as the new Board Planner. His unanimous appointment by the Township Committee was a result of Mr. Drew’s expertise with COAH and with environmental issues. Ms. Olcott made a motion to pass a resolution appointing Mr. Drew as the Board Planner through December 31, 2013. The motion was seconded by Mr. Saulnier and on a voice vote, all were in favor.
ADMINISTRATIVE UPDATES
Mr. Saulnier provided an update on the property maintenance issue and reaffirmed the Board’s position that after much discussion and consideration, an ordinance is not necessary at this time.
SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS
ARC –see Demolition Delay below.
W&E – no report.
DRC – no report.
LIAISON REPORTS
EC –Ms. DiTosto announced that Bluegrass at Margetts, an event celebrating the payoff of the Margetts loan, is scheduled for October 20, 2013. She added that as a result of the loan payoff, the Open Space tax was reduced by approximately $0.035. She further stated that the Annual Report was presented to the Township Committee and affirmed the EC’s top three priorities of stewardship, education and solar energy.
HOST - Ms. DiTosto indicated that HOST is continuing to identify potential properties that can be used for Open Space. They are also developing a maintenance plan for existing HOST properties.
HPC – Ms. DiTosto reported that HPC has been reviewing applications and working on a Committee status memo. Mr. Saulnier added that the HPC Chairs were unable to attend the Planning Board meeting due to scheduling conflicts, andthat they continue to work with ARC regarding demolition delay.
CPAC –Ms. DiTosto reported that the Township Committee appointed Ann Kearns to CPAC and that Ms. Kearns has been named the point person for Memorial Park. She further stated that the Bridle Path Association donated funds to the Township Committee for fence repair at the Showgrounds.
BOA –Mr. Schleiferreported that theMad Hat application was approved.
RESOLUTIONS
Application: PB 02-13
Applicant: Van Beuren Farms Associates
Block 7, Lots 4.02, 4.04 & 4.07
James Street & Griffin Lane
Minor Subdivision, Special Flood Hazard Development Approval
After a discussion regarding minor revisions to the resolution, Ms. DiTosto made a motion to approve it, which was seconded by Ms. Olcott. On a voice vote, all were in favor.
APPLICATIONS
Application: PB 03-13
Applicant: Harding Group LLC
Block 33.03, Lot 8
1109 Mr. Kemble Avenue
Minor Site Plan Approval
Action: Completeness Review and Hearing
Present:George Kimmerle, applicant
Robert Garofalo, attorney for applicant
Richard Schommer, licensed professional engineer
Mr. Kimmerle and Mr. Schommer were sworn.
The Completeness Memo from Mr. Fox was thoroughly reviewed and waivers were requested for items no. 4 and no. 26. Based on Mr. Fox’s recommendation, Ms. Olcott made a motion to grant the waivers which was seconded by Mr. Newlin. On a voice vote, all were in favor.
Exhibits 1-7 were entered into the record.
Mr. Schommer reviewed the site plans in detail. Mr. Kimmerle outlined the proposed designplan of the buildingwhich is essentially to remodel the existing structure to make it energy efficient and more in keeping with Harding’s streetscape.
Mr. Fox reiterated the items in his technical review memorandum and the applicant agreed to provide all requested information and make all changes outlined therein. The Board decided that a site visit was not necessary at this time.
Mr. Garofalo requested that the Board approve the application subject to the conditions set forth during testimony. Ms. DiTosto made a motion to approve the application, subject to the comments in the Technical Review Memo, which was seconded by Mr. Newlin. On a voice vote, all were in favor.
PUBLIC HEARING
Township of Harding Master Plan – Housing Element and Fair Share Plan (2010 Census Update)
Ms. Kimball presented the Housing Element which was revised to include data from the 2010 Census and a discussion regarding the Census followed. Ms. Kimball agreed to make revisions on pages 10-1 and 10-3 and Mr. Hall agreed to draft a letter to COAH informing them that no changes have been made to the Fair Share Plan. After no public comment was received, Ms. Olcott made a motion to approve the amendment to the Master Plan which was seconded by Mr. Saulnier. On a voice vote, all were in favor.
BUILDING AREA CALCULATION
At the August 12, 2013 meeting of the Township Committee, Ordinance 06-13 Modifying Zoning Regulation Concerning Calculation of Building Area was introduced and passed on the first reading. After discussion, Ms. Olcott made a motion that the proposed modifications to the Building Area Calculation ordinance were consistent with the Master Plan which was seconded by Mr. Schleifer. On a voice vote, all were in favor.
DEMOLITION DELAY
Ms. Olcott led a discussion regarding the Planning Board’s mission regarding the Demolition Delay ordinance, i.e., timeframe for demolition approval and submission requirements for the applicant. She then provided a status report on the ARC’s meetings with the Historic Preservation Commission. Ms. Kimball outlined the recommendations set forth in her memo dated August 20, 2103including following the timeframe set forth in the Municipal Land Use Law.
A discussion regarding historic designation followed and Mr. Drew relayed the processfor identifying historic structures in Westfield, NJ.
Ms. Olcott requested input from the rest of the Board. Consensus was not reached and it was agreed to push theitem to the October 28, 2013 Planning Board meeting since three (3) Board Members are absent and should be given the opportunity to listen to the discussion and vote.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
Mr. Newlin made a motion to adjourn the meeting which was seconded by Mr. Schleifer. All were in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:33PM.
Margot G. Kaye
Planning Board Secretary
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