Holmdel Environmental Commission

HOLMDEL ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION Minutes of the Regular Meeting – Wednesday, April 9, 2025 Loretta read the following OPENING STATEMENT at 7:00 p.m. “I hereby announce, pursuant to Section 5 of the Open Public Meetings Act, that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided on January 10, 2025, to the Asbury Park Press and the Two River Times. Notice has also been posted in the entrance of Town Hall, filed in the Clerk’s Office, and posted on the Township’s website, www.holmdeltownship.com, all pursuant to Section 13 of the Open Public Meetings Act.” Members Present: Karen Strickland, Chairperson Ralph Blumenthal Wes Fagan Janet Jackel Jill Perez Randy Rauscher Anthony Salerno Gary Vanderham Loretta Coscia, HEC Secretary Absent: David Wolff, Vice Chairperson Also Present: Steven Winters, Construction Official Pledge of Allegiance Moment of Silence to Honor Military and Police Who Have Been Wounded or Killed in Action Environment al Commission Business  Draft Meeting Minutes – March 12th minutes approved (Gary/Randy)  Regional Watershed Forum – scheduled for March 27 Guest speaker Bridget Neary, Senior Planner, from the Monmouth County Division of Planning spoke about environmental mapping. She created an app to identify streams and follow them from source to destination. The link to the app is below. Environmental Planning Features WebApp (ExpB) Some layers include MOD-IV classifications (NJ Property Tax System) adjacent to streams and waterbodies, preserved open space, Watersheds, 2-foot contours, Trails and Wetlands Ms. Neary also shared important links to other good sources of information. NJDEP’s MS4 mapping assistance website will help municipalities to collect the required stormwater infrastructure data: NJDEP| Bureau of NJPDES Stormwater Permitting | Mapping Assistance NJDEP’s outfall map that was also discussed last night: Outfalls in New Jersey, NJDEP MS4 Inventory and Mapping | NJDEP Open Data. There are similar maps for culverts, basins, Watershed Story Map https://data- monmouthnj.hub.arcgis.com/apps/7689ea08b905424d95b4d2a154f5ad17/explore Comments for Karen to relay back to Bridget; Wes went onto the mapping system but found it difficult. He would like to see each stream isolated beginning to end. Janet felt it was difficult  to trace. She could only see some things on each map but not the others. An additional overlay to isolate a town would be helpful. Jill could not access the site.  Earth Day – April 27 th For the daffodil walk, Ralph has a list of 140 people who would like to participate. Not all attendees are from Holmdel. They heard about the walk from the Patch newsletter. For Earth Day, Wes suggested having a map. Janet believes she has one to provide. People signed up to work at the watershed model. Gary will bring the items to represent the pollutants. On another note, Wes brought up the issue of the clear-cutting which took place on 12 East Brook, a single non-divided parcel of land that has created a lot of problems. He asked about the status of the Tree Ordinance. Steve Winters advised that without the Tree Ordinance in place, a developer can come in and completely clear the land. He advised that the Township Committee is presently reviewing the plan. Steve stated that the Grading and Drainage Ordinance he proposed has not yet been adopted. The Township currently pays significant costs to the Township Engineer to review grading/drainage. Presently, there is no mechanism for an escrow account. Ralph said that if someone applies for a major development, a lot of things do not apply. Steve asked to be forwarded updates to the section with holes in it, and he would be happy to draft it up. For the proposed Grading and Drainage, steep slopes were revised. HEC to write a memo to the Township Committee on the importance of these new ordinances.  The New Jersey State Development and Redevelopment Plan (SDRP), or State Plan – The focus for the HEC is cross acceptance; what they want to see for Holmdel. Some ideas discussed were protecting Planning area 5 status for southern Holmdel to protect the quality and quantity of water going to the Swimming River reservoir, the source of drinking water for over 335,000 residents of Monmouth County. The new state plan focuses on affordable housing, which has been argued should be encouraged in Planning Areas 1 and 2 where appropriate infrastructure is in place.  Community Energy Planning Grant Meeting – Update Subcommittees are meeting to address the strategic initiatives identified at the previous meeting. These initiatives include purchasing and installing alternative fuel vehicles, an anti-idling and enforcement campaign, adopting supportive zoning and permitting for private solar use, upgrading energy efficiency in municipal facilities, creating an Energy Efficiency Outreach Campaign, identifying a green building policy and developing a green development checklist for builders.  Land Conservancy – Natural Resources Inventory Karen said that Janet did an incredible job writing the introductions. Ralph also did a phenomenal job, and Roberta Kaufman helped a lot as well. All of the HEC comments will be reviewed in April. A meeting will be scheduled in May to discuss approval in June. Wes will advise the Planning Board.  Open Space Plan – The Township has requested an appraisal on the Pappa farm for open space. The HEC needs to update the open space plan. Ralph stated that we need an open space Master Plan Element. Kate Keller has been working on this for three years. The property at 16 South Beers Street is 48 acres and can qualify for Green Acres. Kate would like the HEC to be involved in the review.  Newsletter a rticle for the upcoming newsletter – Requesting residents’ input into flooding issues, as well as erosion, to look at streams and provide input to the HEC. Also provide feedback of litter, blockage, scouring, washout and flooding. Jill suggested adding maps for photo. Article to be forwarded to Loretta by April 25th. Planning Board Celebree School, Preliminary/Final Major Site Plan, Block 58, Lots 31 & 34 RT35H Overlay Zone (Holmdel Corporate Plaza) The applicant proposes to renovate a portion of the existing building for a childcare center which is permitted use in the zone. The proposed childcare center will consist of an approximate 12,000 sf childcare center for up to 196 children and 30 staff members. The childcare center will be located on the first floor of an existing three-story 68,250 sf building. Additional proposed site features include reconfigured parking, a pickup and drop off area, and a child playground area. HEC will send a memo to the Planning Board requesting that the trees being taken down be replaced somewhere on the property. Adjournment There being no further business for the evening at 8:05 p.m., motion by Wes, seconded by Tony to adjourn. Motion carried on voice vote. Respectfully submitted, Loretta Coscia HEC Secretary Proceedings recorded Minutes approved 5/14/25 (JJ/RB)