Bordentown City Planning/Zoning Board

CITY OF BORDENTOWN PLANNING BOARD REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING OCTOBER 2, 2023 The City of Bordentown Planning Board held their regular monthly meeting on Monday evening, October 2, 2023, at the Carslake Community Center, 207 Crosswicks Street, Bordentown City, New Jersey. Chairman Kennedy called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM starting with the pledge of allegiance. Chairman Kennedy read the Open Public Meeting Act and the Secretary was directed that it be entered into the minutes that the meeting was being held in compliance. The following Board members were in attendance Mayor Sciortino, Mr. Malone, Mr. Antozzeski, Mr. Kennedy, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Haney, Mr. Edwards, Ms. Murphy, Mr. Advani, Mr. Braz and Ms. Cheesman Board Professionals present, Duncan Prime, Esq., Prime & Tuvel, William Long, PE, Alaimo Engineering and Charles Latini, PP, L & G Planning. Mr. Braz motioned to approve the minutes from the regular monthly meeting held on September 12, 2023, seconded by Mr. Edwards. ROLL CALL: IN FAVOR: Mr. Malone -Yes Mr. Kennedy -Yes Mr. Antozzeski -Yes Ms. Robinson -Yes Mr. Edwards -Yes Ms. Murphy -Yes Mr. Advani -Yes Mr. Braz -Yes Ms. Cheeseman -Yes ABSTAINED: Mayor Sciortino and Ms. Haney OPPOSED: None Mr. Antozzeski motioned to Adopt Resolution 2023-10 - PBAZ 2022-1/Aubrey, Minor Subdivision Application, 414 & 418 Prince Street/Block 603 Lot 7 & 8, the motion was seconded by Mr. Braz. ROLL CALL: IN FAVOR: Mr. Malone -Yes Mr. Kennedy -Yes Mr. Antozzeski -Yes Ms. Robinson -Yes Mr. Edwards -Yes Planning Board Meeting October 2, 2023 1  Ms. Murphy -Yes Mr. Advani -Yes Mr. Braz -Yes Ms. Cheeseman -Yes ABSTAINED: Mayor Sciortino and Ms. Haney OPPOSED: None Chairman Kennedy then stated that the next item on the agenda was application PBAZ 2023-05/Evolve Cannabis LLC, 186 Route 130/Block 1404 Lot 17, Conditional Use Application & Site Plan Waiver Request for Retail. Mr. Saj Khan appeared before the board along with his attorney, Bridget A. Sykes, Esq., Fox Rothschild, LLP. Mr. Khan proposed to covert a vacant commercial unit (formally known as SWAGAT South Asian Groceries) into a retail cannabis dispensary and leasing approximately 3,350 S.F. of the existing retail space. Mr. Khan discussed there will be 42 cameras on site where 7 of them will be outside. All inventory is approved by the state and prepackaged. He further stated when inventory is delivered it is checked and logged by 2 employees, deliveries are scheduled, and they take about 7 minutes long at the back door. All inventory is locked up in a vault at the end of the night. We will be a 7-day operation of about 12 hours a day with 5-7 employees for 6-hour shifts including security staff where they will be cross-trained if needed. Ms. Sykes then asked David Preucil from Sign Sources to go over the sign plans. Mr. Preucil stated the applicant plans to use prior for the signs, there will be 2 signs, size 41” x 144”, materials aluminum and acrylic, mount is a flush wall. The daytime view of the signs Evolve will be in green and dispensary in black, whereas at nighttime Evolve will still be green with a white back glow behind the letters and dispensary will be light up in white. Ms. Sykes then asked the applicants planner and engineer, Cormac Morrissey of Dixon Associates Engineering. Mr. Morrissey discussed with less than 1500SF of the unit to be used for retail purposes the remaining space will be used for deliveries, storage, security, and office space etc. Which makes the parking requirements less as if more of the unit space was going to be used for retail. Deliveries will be made behind the building as the traffic pattern goes both ways. Deliveries can be between 2-4 days a week on a routine schedule. The loading area for deliveries will be done in a fenced in area or barriers. There are 2 trash enclosures on site, whereas they will be using the closest one to them which is fully enclosed to dispose of trash at the end of the day, whereas the other one is currently not fully enclosed. The property remains to be maintained with its original design with mature trees and shrubs. Mr. Long, Planning Board Engineer, discussed his report. He advised to keep up with maintaining the landscaping along with the trees and scrubs and to improve the one trash enclosure that is not fully enclosed. Mr. Latini, City Planner, suggested that it would be a good idea to have a meeting with the Bordentown City Police Department to go over your security details. Planning Board Meeting October 2, 2023 2  Chairman Kennedy then opened the meeting to the public members. Brent Brown of Farnsworth Avenue asked if Mr. Khan had overseen other locations and what were those security plans. Jim Heupel, 6 Park Street inquired whether the sale of cannabis will be for medical or recreational use or both. He also asked for asked for clarification on parking. Ms. Robinson expressed her concern on the disposing of cannabis, since one of the trash enclosures are not fully enclosed at this time. The Board and Professionals acknowledged the comments from the public, there being no further comment from the public, the public portion of the meeting was closed. Mr. Antozzeski motioned to approve the application with the following conditions submitted and it was seconded by Mr. Braz. The Applicant shall comply with all comments contained with the BCPB Engineer’s September 26, 2023, review letter. ROLL CALL: IN FAVOR: Mayor Sciortino -Yes Mr. Malone -Yes Mr. Kennedy -Yes Mr. Antozzeski -Yes Ms. Robinson -Yes Ms. Haney -Yes Mr. Edwards -Yes Ms. Murphy -Yes Mr. Advani -Yes Mr. Braz -Yes Ms. Cheeseman -Yes ABSTAINED: None OPPOSED: None There being no further comments from the public, Mr. Kennedy closed the public portion of the meeting. There being no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Haney motioned to adjourn, and it was seconded by Mr. Braz, all were in favor, the motion was carried. The meeting was then adjourned at 8:10 PM. Respectfully submitted, Jennifer M. Smith Jennifer M. Smith Planning Board Secretary /fb Planning Board Meeting October 2, 2023 3