01/24/2023 Planning Board Work Session

City of Cape May Planning Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 24, 2023 Opening: The meeting of the City of Cape May Planning Board was called to order by Chairperson Bill Bezaire at 6:30 PM in the City Hall Auditorium. In compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act, adequate notice was provided. Roll Call: Mr. Bezaire, Chairperson Present Mr. Jones, Vice Chairperson Present Mr. Belasco Present Mr. Crowley Present Mr. Gorgone Present Mr. Lundholm Absent Mayor Mullock Present Mrs. Reed Absent Councilmember Yeager Present Mr. Maloy Alt # 1 Present Mr. Padussis Alt # 2 Present Also Present: Richard King, Esquire, Board Solicitor Craig Hurless, Board Engineer and Planner Karen Keenan, Board Secretary Minutes: Motion made by Mr. Gorgone to approve the meeting minutes of January 10, 2023, seconded by Mr. Jones and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Belasco, Mr. Gorgone, Councilmember Yeager, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Padussis, Mr. Jones, Mr. Bezaire. Those opposing: None. Those abstaining: Mayor Mullock, Mr. Maloy. Discussion: Recommended Changes in the City's Master Plan, Development Regulations, and Zoning Map - Land Use Element Mayor Mullock shared that he was sworn in by the Clerk’s Office earlier in the week. He said City Council would like to hear from the Planning Board what they recommend for change. Chairperson Bezaire said they could get started by identifying the low-hanging fruit of the forty- five recommendations. He reviewed the list and offered the following for the initial discussion: Number 8: Bulk regulations to incorporate a “per lot” methodology. City of Cape May Planning Board Meeting Minutes, January 24, 2023 1 Numbers 9 and 10: Correct typos for lot frontage from 74’ to 75’ for R-1 and R-1A Districts. Number 12: Address residential development that has been developed or redeveloped in the C-5 district to be consistent with the R-3 development standards. Engineer Hurless commented that the Zoning Board approved variances for two lots according to R-3. He recommended to change to R-3 the other nearby lots that need to be included. Number 18: Comprehensively reexamine and address standards for R-5 District. Engineer Hurless commented that bulk and area requirements are missing. Member Crowley then suggested adding Number 19: Comprehensively reexamine and address standards for S1 and S2 Districts. Engineer Hurless commented there is no permitted commercial use, but there is commercial use presently there. Number 25: Sign Regulations. Number 28: Outdoor Shower Size. Number 29: Fencing. Engineer Hurless said the ordinance is unclear, and there is a need to address corner lots which have two front yards. Numbers 30 and 31: Building height regulations changing from 1929 NGVD to 1988 NAVD were previously addressed by the Board. Number 32: Obsolete off street parking design standards to be eliminated. Number 35: Lighting standards to be reviewed. Mayor Mullock commented that there have been complaints from the public regarding lighting with need to weigh brightness versus safety. Engineer Hurless said there is control for subdivision lighting when site plans are reviewed but not a lot of control in residential cases. Number 36: Landscaping requirements regarding recommended plants and trees species. Number 37: Flagpoles should be permitted with a 5’ minimum setback from any lot line. Numbers 38 and 42: Promote compliance with flood regulations and setback measurements including eaves and steps. Engineer Hurless said surveyors measure to face of structure, and Cape May’s ordinance requires measure to nearest face, which causes streetscape and aesthetic issues and should be changed. Number 41: Patio and deck maximum width. The following recommendations were then determined for second tier evaluation: City of Cape May Planning Board Meeting Minutes, January 24, 2023 2 Number 11: Standards for R-1 District. Chairperson Bezaire said this will take some discussion, and Councilmember Yeager agreed due to the impact. Engineer Hurless said governing board input is needed prior to this discussion. Numbers 13 through 17: Standards for R-4 District (Village Greene area). Number 24: Workforce Housing. Number 27: Parking Trust Account Number 33: Off street parking design standards Number 34: Permeable pavers – Engineer Hurless advised that the use of permeable construction materials at 50% lot coverage has been addressed and allowed. Number 43: FEMA CRS Recommended Changes to be addressed as a separate discussion. Mayor Mullock said it is an important one, as some nearby municipalities moved classes which affects flood insurance rates. Member Belasco said Cape May is currently a Class 5, with the possibility to go to a Class 4. He said the City can take advantage of upgrading the rating by completing the Master Plan Reexamination and completing the tasks listed. Member Belasco said there will be a recycle visit in September, so there is a deadline. After the deadline passes, there are five years until the next round. Definitions: Engineer Hurless recommended that the definitions section should be refreshed, so all terms are defined, enforceable and justifiable. Engineer Hurless has been keeping a list of definitions to be added. Engineer Hurless will propose ordinance changes and work with Solicitor King to draft ordinance changes for the Board to review and send to City Council. There was a brief discussion on commercial building heights and commercial districts. Chairperson Bezaire said the topic could be further examined after the Board works on the other items listed in the Master Plan Reexamination. Open to Public: There was no public present for comment. Motion made to adjourn by Mr. Belasco at 7:50 PM with all in favor. Respectfully submitted: Karen Keenan, Board Secretary City of Cape May Planning Board Meeting Minutes, January 24, 2023 3