Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING MARCH 6, 2012 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 6th day of March 2012 at 7:30 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 3, 2012, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 4, 2012, 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, Michael Kopas, Astri Baillie, Steve Tombalakian, Mayor Robert Conley and Mr. Gertler who arrived at 7:45pm Absent: None Excused: Dr. Vincent Esposito, John Forte Also Present: Vince Loughlin, Esq., Planning Board Attorney Frank Russo, Board Engineer Susan Blickstein, Board Planner Frances Boardman, Board Secretary Approval of Minutes: Copies of the minutes of the February 7, 2012 regular meeting were distributed to all Board members for their review prior to this meeting. Corrections were noted this evening. Motion to approve the minutes as corrected was made by Ms. Baillie, seconded by Mr. Flemming. The following roll call was recorded: “Aye” – Mr. Johnson, Mr. Flemming, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Tombalakian, Mayor Conley, and Mr. Kopas “Nay” - None “Abstain” - None Planning Board March 6, 2012 Comments by the Public: Mr. Tombalakian opened the floor to the public for anyone who 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 The resolution to appoint Omland Engineering, as the Borough of Madison Planning Board Engineering Consultant for the remainder of the calendar year of 2012 was read. Mr. Tombalakian asked if there was any Board discussion. Seeing none, a motion to approve the resolution was requested, made by Ms. Baillie and seconded by Mr. Kopas. A voice vote of “Aye” was heard by all voting members present. The resolution to publish the appointment of Omland Engineering as Engineering Consultant to the Borough of Madison Planning Board without competitive bidding for the remainder of the calendar year 2012 was read. Mr. Tombalakian asked if there was any Board discussion, seeing none he asked for a motion to approve the resolution. A motion was made by Ms. Baillie, seconded by Mr. Flemming. A voice vote of “Aye” was heard by all Board members. NEW BUSINESS – A presentation was presented by Mr. Craig Erezuma, a member of the Downtown Development Committee and Sign and Façade Committee. Mr. Erezuma was sworn in, and began by giving the Board an overview of the Sign and Façade Committee. A 3D slide presentation model of 14 Elmer Street was marked into evidence as Exhibit B-1. Inconsistency with window sizes, gutters and leaders, roof lines and HVAC roof access were discussed. Mr. Johnson asked who made up the Sign and Façade Committee. Mr. Erezuma stated that the Committee is made of the following members: Lisa Ellis, Russell Stern, Nicole Francoeur and himself. Following the presentation Mr. Tombalakian asked if the Board and its Professionals had any questions. Seeing none he than opened the floor to Mr. Sam DeAngelis, Applicant Attorney for 14 Elmer Street. Mr. DeAngelis had no questions. The floor was than opened to the public for questions of Mr. Erezuma, seeing none Mr. Tombalakian closed this portion of the meeting. Mr. Tombalakian thanked Mr. Erezuma for his presentation this evening. Planning Board March 6, 2012 OLD BUSINESS - CASE NO. P 11-05 Preliminary & Final Site Plan with Variances Stangle Group, LLC Block 1801, Lot 9 14 Elmer Street Mr. Samuel DeAngelis, Attorney for the Applicant began by stating that the role of the Sign and Façade Committee is to look at an application and to make suggestions and recommendations, not to testify and make comments. He feels that the presentation by Mr. Erezuma was inappropriate. The following exhibits were marked: Exhibit B-1: A print out of the 3-D model presented by Sign and Façade Exhibit B-2: An email, dated February 16, 2012 from Chief Lou DeRosa regarding the width of the driveway to 15 feet. With the recommended width of 15 feet for the driveway from Chief DeRosa, the building will now be moved three feet to the left. The site plans before the board this evening does not reflect this change. Mr. DeAngelis called Rui Amaral, Architect on the application to continue his testimony from the last meeting. Mr. Amaral was sworn in at the last meeting and remains under oath. Mr. Amaral presented revised plans dated February 15, 2012. The following exhibits were marked: Exhibit A-11: Revised elevations Exhibit A-12: Floor Plans Exhibit A-13: Photo Rendering of Proposed Building with Adjacent Buildings shown Exhibit A-14: Front Elevation The revised elevations show more windows along the façade. The windows do not appear to be centered, and Mr. Johnson suggested widening the gable, Mr. Amaral stated that this could be done but you lose the sight of the roof line from the front elevation. The application is trying to create interesting roof lines. The recess inward was done to break up the 70 foot wall. Mr. Amaral stated that the lines of the roof were done for more of an aesthetic look. Planning Board March 6, 2012 Two overhangs are being shown on the drawing; these overhangs are primarily to give more square footage to the apartments on the left side. The first floor is slightly off centered; this is being done to keep the fire walls straight through the building. The overhang over the driveway will be 91/2 feet; this overhang should not affect vehicles pulling into the driveway in any way. The Board suggested making the whole building straight; however Mr. Amaral stated that in order to make the building wider, they would have to squeeze the driveway down to 14 feet. Mr. Russo stated that many issues would go away if the building were made just a little skinnier. Mr. Gertler stated that the 2nd and 3rd floors were very unsymmetrical and that if the building was to be evened out, there would be one continuous ridge line and the building would then be symmetrical. The front façade has been cleaned up; however, the back of the building has not been touched. Mr. Amaral stated that the owner wants to keep things the way they are which gives more square footage for the second and third floor. The front façade leaders were discussed, and an overhang above the front door was suggested; however, Mr. Amaral stated that not having a canopy gives the front a cleaner look. Ms. Blickstein stated that clarity is needed. Access for the HVAC roof equipment was discussed. Access would be through the third floor apartment on the left. This open tubing cage would be on the deck, going three feet above to get to the roof. Mr. Tombalakian asked Mr. Russo how HVAC roof top equipment is usually accessed. Mr. Russo replied that a hatch over an interior stair well is typical to get to a roof. Split system condensers are proposed for the apartments and, the retail space on the first floor will be served by the HVAC units on the roof. An access key in a lock box was discussed and Mr. Amaral will discuss this with the owner. An exterior door with interior stairs to a roof hatch would make more sense and eliminate the need to enter into the apartment and the caging on the deck. Materials for the building were discussed; they have not changed since the last hearing. Hardy Board will be used on the front of the building, brick through the middle and the sides and rear will have two tone siding. Mr. Russo said he was uncomfortable with the recommendation of the fifteen foot width of the driveway and he hesitates to endorse this recommendation. Mr. Gertler stated that if the driveway was made wider there would be a lack of parking in the back and the tenants would be parking in the driveway to avoid parking on the street over night and being ticketed. Mr. Tombalakian asked if there were any further questions of Mr. Amaral by the Board or its Professionals. Seeing none, he opened the floor to the public. Planning Board March 6, 2012 Mr. Locket, 16 Elmer Street, raised a question about the water issue on the street. Mr. Locket stated that the drains in the Municipal Culvert are backing up creating a water problem. Also parking is a major concern on the street. Children are dropped off to attend the dance studio located next door at 10 Elmer Street. Children run up and down the street on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, cars line up to drop off and pick up before and after classes and this creates congestion on the street. Mr. Locket was thanked for his comments. Mr. Tombalakian asked if there were any further questions from the public. Seeing no further questions, the public portion was closed. Mr. DeAngelis stated that the Engineer, Mr. Andrew Clarke was present this evening. He will be revising the plans moving the building over three feet. Nothing else on the site plan will be changing. Mr. Gertler asked Mr. Clarke to comment on the water issue that Mr. Locket had just discussed. Mr. Clarke, who still remains under oath from the last hearing, stated that he did not have anything further to offer. With the building moving over three feet to the left, this will allow for more landscaping on the right of the building, thus lowering the impervious coverage. The overhangs were calculated in the impervious coverage calculation. The small strip between the curb and the building has not been focused on. A fully revised site plan will be prepared by Mr. Clarke for review. There were no further questions for Mr. Clarke regarding his engineering testimony by the Board or its Professionals. Mr. Tombalakian opened the floor to the public for questions, seeing none he closed the public portion of the hearing. Mr. DeAngelis began his summary of the items that the Board would like to see on the revised site plan, they included: • Widening the gable to center the windows • 16 foot width for each unit, making them symmetrical • Placing an overhang above the front door • Two small dormers in the front of the building • Roof access, through an attic hatch Mr. DeAngelis asked the Board to give detail to the Architect as to what they really would like to see. Deliberations began, Mr. Gertler was asked to comment on the five architectural items that Mr. DeAngelis had touched upon. Water, during rain or snow will create an issue over the front door if this issue is not addressed. The building is not aligned creating a mangled look. The two small dormers in the front also create a water issue. Having a roof access to the HVAC units is a far better idea than going through an apartment. The Board continued their discussion; Mr. Johnson feels that this application should not be designed by the Board. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board if they were comfortable in having a vote on this application this evening or if they would like to see an updated architectural plan. Mayor Conley stated that this application should be simplified now so there is no problem later. The James Building on Main Street should be used as a model. Planning Board March 6, 2012 Mr. Flemming stated that he as well was uncomfortable with making a decision this evening. He would like to see a finished product prior to a vote by the Board. Mr. Tombalakian stated that the consensus of the Board was to have the applicant provide revised site plan drawings to the Board, incorporating the details discussed this evening. This application will be carried to the April 3, 2012 Planning Board meeting without further notice. Mr. DeAngelis was advised that the revised drawings should be submitted the Board Secretary no later than March 20, 2012. A five minute break was taken at 9:40pm, the meeting resumed at 9:45pm with all members present. Ms. Baillie asked Mr. Russo to speak with Mr.Vogel, the Borough Engineer regarding the municipal culvert located behind Elmer Street, and to make sure that all easement agreements for that are up to date. Ms. Boardman polled the Board stating that at the next meeting, The Borough of Madison would be presenting a lot line adjustment application. The Mayor and Council member Dr. Esposito will not be eligible to vote and a quorum is necessary to hear the application. Mr. Johnson stated that he will not be present at the next meeting, and no other Board members seemed to have a conflict at this point. PLANNING DISCUSSION – • LED Price Signs – Gas Stations A memorandum, dated January 30, 2012, from Susan Blickstein was distributed to all Board members prior to this evening for discussion. Ms. Blickstein had gathered and reviewed information on LED price signs for gas stations; she also conducted a site visit of all gas stations within the Borough. Several points of this memorandum were discussed; Mr. Tombalakian suggested that a proposed Ordinance be drafted in May after the presentation of the lighting design specialist Ms. Hay. Mr. Erezuma, as a member of Sign and Façade was asked for his comments. This Ordinance would be based on gas stations only. CORRESPONDENCE – There was no correspondence to discuss this evening. Planning Board March 6, 2012 Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Tombalakian asked for a motion to adjourn the regular meeting, motion made by Mr. Flemming at 10:15 P.M.; seconded by Mr. Johnson. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all members present and carried. Respectfully submitted, Frances Boardman Board Secretary