Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 3, 2012 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 3rd day of January 2012 at 8:00 P.M., in Room #140, Hartley Dodge Memorial, 50 Kings Road, Madison, NJ. The meeting was called to order by Planning Board Chairman, Steve Tombalakian Mr. Tombalakian requested the reading of the Public Meeting Notice. Ms. Boardman read the following statement in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act. “Let the minutes reflect that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided in the following manner: At the reorganization meeting of the Board held on January 4, 2011, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 5, 2011, a copy of the schedule of meetings was posted at the bulletin board at the entrance to the Hartley Dodge Memorial, was sent to the Madison Eagle and the Daily Record, and filed with the Borough Clerk all in accordance with the “Open Public Meetings Act”. The following roll call was recorded: Present: Peter Flemming, Sr., Tom Johnson, Dr. Vincent Esposito, Mayor Robert Conley, Michael Kopas, John Forte, Astri Baillie, Steve Tombalakian, and Jeff Gertler Absent: None Excused: None Also Present: Vince Loughlin, Planning Board Attorney Frank Russo, Board Engineer Susan Blickstein, Board Planner Frances Boardman, Board Secretary Approval of Minutes: Copies of the minutes of the December 6, 2011 regular meeting were distributed to all Board members for their review prior to this meeting. No corrections were noted. Motion to approve the minutes was made by Mr. Forte, seconded by Mr. Flemming. The following roll call was recorded: “Aye” – Mr. Johnson, Mr. Forte, Mr. Flemming and Dr. Esposito and Mr. Kopas “Nay” - None “Abstain” - Mayor Conley, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Gertler and Mr. Tombalakian Planning Board January 3, 2012 Comments by the Public: Mr. Tombalakian opened the floor to the public for anyone that wished to be heard on any matter not on this evening’s agenda. There was no public present at the meeting that wished to be heard. RESOLUTIONS FOR MEMORIALIZATION Since Mr. Tombalakian was not present for the hearing held on December 6, 2011 in which these applications were presented he turned this portion of the meeting over to the Vice Chair, Mr. Johnson. CASE NO. P 11-011 Minor Subdivision Louis DeBiasse Block 1301, Lot 9 37 Elm Street Resolution granting the application of Louis DeBiasse for the Minor Subdivision on property located at 37 Elm Street, Madison commonly known on the Borough of Madison Tax Map as Block 1301, Lot 9. The draft resolution was sent via email to the applicant’s Attorney, Mr. Samuel DeAngelis, Esq. and the Planning Board members and it’s Professionals for review prior to this evening’s meeting. Mr. Johnson asked if the Board and its Professionals had any further comments or questions concerning the resolution. Mr. Loughlin stated that he had received comments from Mr. DeAngelis, Esq. who represents the applicant. A minor modification to the resolution to include Loiusyann Realty Inc. as owner and applicant along with Mr. DeBiasse was requested. A short discussion followed. Mr. Johnson asked for a motion to approve the resolution as modified this evening. A motion was made by Mr. Forte, seconded by Dr. Esposito; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mr. Johnson, Mr. Forte, Dr. Esposito, Mr. Kopas and Mr. Flemming “Nays” – None “Abstain” –Mayor Conley, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Gertler, and Mr. Tombalakian Planning Board January 3, 2012 Case No. P-11-06 Extension of Time for Resolution Compliance Jeffrey Johnson d/b/a Stony’s Block: 2702, Lot: 27 20 Waverly Place Resolution granting the Extension of Time for Resolution Compliance to Jeffrey Johnson d/b/a Stony’s on property located at 20 Waverly Place, Madison commonly known on the Borough of Madison Tax Map as Block 2702, Lot 27. The draft resolution was sent via email to the Planning Board members and its Professionals for review prior to this evening’s meeting. Mr. Johnson asked if the Board and its Professionals had any further comments or questions concerning the resolution. Mr. Loughlin stated that the compliance date in the resolution was April 1, 2012 which was the date requested by Mr. Johnson. A short discussion followed, Ms. Boardman advised the Board that Stony’s had closed and the business was for sale. Mr. Johnson asked for a motion to approve the resolution. A motion was made by Mr. Kopas, seconded by Mr. Flemming; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mr. Johnson, Mr. Forte, Dr. Esposito, Mr. Kopas and Mr. Flemming “Nays” – None “Abstain” –Mayor Conley, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Gertler, and Mr. Tombalakian The meeting was turned back over to Mr. Tombalakian at this point. NEW BUSINESS – There was no new business to come before the Board this evening OLD BUSINESS - There was no old business before the Board this evening. Planning Board January 3, 2012 PLANNING DISCUSSION – • Sign & Façade Committee – Discussion of LED Lighting Ordinance. Nicole Francoeur a member of the sign and façade committee appeared before the board this evening to look for guidance from the board regarding the LED lighting concerns in town. The town has an Ordinance in place that prohibits LED lighting as part of signage. The Sign and Façade Committee feel that gas stations should be separate under the ordinance, and that gas station standards should be different from other commercial businesses and those not in the Historic District. Ms. Blickstein stated that one of the challenges in zoning is in treating similar uses consistently in zoning districts. The sign and façade committee has dealt with three issues as of late, gas stations, open and closed signage and public information signs. Specifically the Investors Bank signage which according to their zoning application was to be refurbished; but when completed the sign was converted to LED. The Committee feels that the Ordinance should be revisited especially for gas stations; however special perimeters would need to be set. Mr. Gertler feels that this technology should be looked into more prior to any decisions being made. Frank Russo spoke to the Board stating that he thinks that there should be some guidelines regarding the LED lighting as opposed to strict prohibition. The sign and façade committee does not believe that led open signs have the look or the feel that fits in the Down Town area. The Historic Preservation Commission member of the Planning Board, Mr. Forte stated that HPC has no objection to LED signage for gas stations. Ms. Blickstein reminded the Board that the Borough Master Plan has prohibited LED signs; however LED site lighting is permitted. Mr. DeAngelis was present and spoke to the Board as a representative of the downtown; he felt that there needs to be business guidelines. The Chamber of Commerce should be educated on signage. He stated that signage is a very important feature to businesses today. Mr. Tombalakian asked Mr. Russo about sandwich board signage. This issue was briefly discussed at this time also. Mr. Russo stated that the Borough of Madison has a very comprehensive sign ordinance and educating business owners should be looked into. The question is how to regulate the Ordinance so that it is fair, effective and consistent with other long held objectives of the Planning Board that the Borough has put forth in its Land Use Policy. Planning Board January 3, 2012 • Housing Element – Susan Blickstein requested the Board form a subcommittee to revisit the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan with input from Board members and legal direction. A subcommittee was created with Board members, Astri Baillie, Steve Tombalakian and Mayor Conley. This subcommittee will also include Ms. Blickstein and Mr. Loughlin. This subcommittee will also need to meet with Mr. Lou Riccio, Executive Director of the Housing Authority. The Department of Community Affairs has a July 1, 2012 deadline. This issue will be a priority. Ms. Blickstein will send out an email regarding the first meeting of the subcommittee. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Johnson made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:15 P.M.; seconded by Mr. Flemming. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all members present and carried. Respectfully submitted, Frances Boardman Board Secretary