01/28/2025 Planning Board Work Session Meeting

City of Cape May Planning Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 28, 2025 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. Crowley Absent Mr. Gorgone Present Mr. Lundholm Absent Deputy Mayor McDade Present Mayor Mullock Present Mrs. Reed Absent Mr. Riggs Absent Mr. Padussis Alt # 1 Present Mr. Crippen Alt # 2 Present Also Present: Richard King, Esquire, Board Solicitor Craig Hurless, Board Engineer and Planner Karen Keenan, Board Secretary Discussion: Master Plan Consistency Review of City of Cape May Municipal Public Access Plan Board Engineer Craig Hurless presented the plan as an update to the 2016 plan including completed and planned projects and municipal public access goals and objectives. He stressed the importance of the plan as a good planning document including coastal zone management rules and beach management permits that are issued for the city. Engineer Hurless said Cape May has an abundance of access to public beaches and waterways within the city including the beach, Cape Island Creek and Cape May Harbor but limited public access to marinas. He said the plan is consistent with the master plan. Board members were allotted time for questions. Deputy Mayor McDade said the grant amount for Harborview Park needs to be clarified. Member Gorgone asked for minor edits including the parking rates listed. Resolution(s): Motion made by Deputy Mayor McDade to adopt Resolution number 01-28-2025: 1, Master Plan Consistency Review of City of Cape May Municipal Public Access Plan, seconded by Mr. Crippen and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Gorgone, Mayor Mullock, Deputy Mayor City of Cape May Planning Board Meeting Minutes, January 28, 2025 1 McDade, Mr. Padussis, Mr. Crippen, Mr. Jones, Mr. Bezaire. Those opposing: None. Those abstaining: None. Discussion: Zoning Board of Adjustment Annual Decisions 2023 Chairperson Bezaire introduced discussion on the report by looking for patterns in the applications. Engineer Hurless said the board uses the report to see if they want to recommend any changes to ordinances. Solicitor King said the Zoning Board heard an application requesting a solid fence in a front yard. The Zoning Board asked the Planning Board to consider changing the zoning of fences. Engineer Hurless said many municipalities have ordinances about the opaqueness of fences, which affect light, air and open space. There was also a brief discussion on the request by the Zoning Board that the Planning Board consider zoning for pools regarding the distance from principal structures. Engineer Hurless said the buffering that is now required by a recent ordinance is an improvement. The Planning Board decided that the Board Engineer will review the two requests for possible changes for future master plan implementation discussions. There was no public present for comment. Payment of Bills Motion made by Mr. Crippen to approve the payment of bills, seconded by Mr. Gorgone and carried 7-0. Those in favor: Mr. Gorgone, Mayor Mullock, Deputy Mayor McDade, Mr. Padussis, Mr. Crippen, Mr. Jones, Mr. Bezaire. Those opposing: None. Those abstaining: None. Motion made to adjourn by Mr. Gorgone at 7:00 PM with all in favor. Respectfully submitted: Karen Keenan, Board Secretary City of Cape May Planning Board Meeting Minutes, January 28, 2025 2