Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING JULY 16, 2013 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 16th day of July 2013 at 7:30 P.M., in Council Chambers, 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 15, 2013, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 16, 2013, 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: Judy Mullins, Mayor Robert Conley, Michael Kopas, John Forte, Astri Baillie, Peter Flemming, Steve Tombalakian and Tom Johnson Absent: None Excused: Jeff Gertler Also Present: Vince Loughlin, Planning Board Attorney Susan Blickstein, Board Planner Frank Russo, Board Engineer Frances Boardman, Board Secretary Approval of Minutes: Copies of the minutes of the June 18, 2013 regular meeting were distributed to all Board members for their review prior to this meeting. Two small corrections were noted; a motion to approve the minutes as corrected this evening was made by Ms. Baillie, seconded by Mr. Flemming. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all eligible voting members and recorded. Mr. Johnson abstained from the voice vote. Comments by the Public: Mr. Tombalakian invited Dr. Vivian Bull, President of Drew University, to discuss her letter dated, July 13, 2013 that was received and distributed to the Planning Board on July 15, 2013. It was determined that a subcommittee would be formed in the future to look into the impervious coverage issues at the University. Mr. Tombalakian opened the floor to the public for anyone that wished to be heard on any matter not on this evening’s agenda. Seeing no one he closed that portion of the meeting. 1 Planning Board July 16, 2013 RESOLUTIONS FOR MEMORIALIZATION – CASE NO. P13-010 Courtesy Review Kings Road School Block: 3901, Lot: 12 215 Kings Road Resolution granting the courtesy review of Kings Road School, for the replacement retaining wall on property located at 215 Kings Road, Madison commonly known on the Borough of Madison Tax Map as Block 3901, Lot 12. The draft resolution was sent to the applicant’s Attorney, Mr. Gregory Ricciardi, Esq. and the Planning Board members and it’s Professionals for review prior to this evening’s meeting. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board and its Professionals if they had any further comments or questions concerning the resolution. Ms. Baillie noted one small correction on Page 4. Mr. Tombalakian asked for a motion to approve the resolution as corrected this evening. A motion was made by Ms Baillie, seconded by Mr. Kopas; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mayor Conley, Mr. Forte, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Kopas, Mr. Flemming, Mrs. Mullins, and Mr. Tombalakian. “Nays” – None “Abstain” –Mr. Johnson CASE NO. P 13-006 Amended Site Plan with Variances Realogy Holdings Block: 401 Lot: 2 175 Park Avenue Resolution granting the Amended Site Plan with Variances of Realogy Holdings, for the Amended Site Plan with Variances on property located at 175 Park Avenue, Madison commonly known on the Borough of Madison Tax Map as Block 401, Lot 2. The draft resolution was sent to the applicant’s Attorney, Mr. Joseph O’Neil, Esq. and the Planning Board members and it’s Professionals for review prior to this evening’s meeting. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board and its Professionals if they had any further comments or questions concerning the resolution. Seeing none, Mr. Tombalakian asked for a motion to approve the resolution. A motion was made by Mrs. Mullins, seconded by Mr. Kopas; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mayor Conley, Mr. Forte, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Kopas, Mr. Flemming, Mrs. Mullins, and Mr. Tombalakian. “Nays” – None “Abstain” –Mr. Johnson 2 Planning Board July 16, 2013 NEW BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 13-009 Minor Subdivision 92 Greenwood Avenue, LLC Block: 1004, Lot: 38 92 Greenwood Avenue Mr. Jason Rubin, Esq. applicant’s attorney gave a brief summary of the application. Mr. Alan Andreas, contract purchaser and architect for the application proposes to subdivide the property at 92 Greenwood Avenue. The site contains just over an acre of property at the corner of Bardon Street and Greenwood Avenue. The existing home will be demolished with three single-family residential lots being created; two will face Bardon Street and one facing Greenwood. Mr. Rubin stated that this is a conforming subdivision. Mr. Andreas and Mr. Christian Kastrud were in attendance to testify this evening. Mr. Alan Andreas, 106 Greenwood Avenue, Madison was sworn in and accepted as a witness. Mr. Andreas has been building houses in Madison for many years. The lot now holds a one family home built in 1909. His plan is to demolish the home and subdivide the property. Once the property is subdivided he will build three single-family homes; one on each lot. The homes will have four bedrooms, 3.5 baths as well as a two car attached garage and paver patio. The homes will be similar to the homes built by Mr. Andreas on Woodland Road and Lathrop Avenue. Each home will have a patio in the back. The Madison Historical Preservation Commission has identified this property as a historical landmark. Mr. Andreas has contacted the MHPC and shared his plans with them. Mr. Andreas stated that HPC has not gotten back to him with their comments. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board and its professionals if they had any further questions for Mr. Andreas, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. Mr. Tombalakian asked the public if they had any questions for Mr. Andreas, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. Mr. Christian Kastrud of Kastrud Engineering, LLC, 1952 Route 22 East, Suite 104, Bound Brook, NJ was sworn in. Mr. Kastrud gave his qualifications to the Board and he was accepted as an expert witness. The following exhibits were marked: Exhibit A-1: Color rendering (previously presented to the Board members in their packet as a black and white rendering). Exhibit A-2: Tree Photographs Exhibit A-3: Grading & Utility Plan - Sheet 4 of 5 Exhibit A-4: Map of survey prepared by Salvatore Miklowcic, L.S. 3 Planning Board July 16, 2013 Mr. Kastrud began his presentation by stating the existing conditions of the home and property. The home slopes from the southeast to the northwest. Exhibit A-1; shows the trees on the property which will be removed for development. However; it also shows some of the trees that will be saved. This lot is slightly over 44,000 square feet and will be subdivided into three conforming lots. The home that will be positioned on Greenwood will have a unique architect. Although there are no architectural drawings showing the homes, they will conform to all zoning requirements. The drainage situation on the properties will be addressed by the installation of drywells. The proposed drywells are shown on the site plan. A berm and a swale will be added to the proposed lots to deal with any additional drainage problems as shown on Exhibit A-3. The row of pine trees shown will not be removed. Mr. Flemming asked Mr. Kastrud if in his opinion the berm and the swale will handle any water issues. Mr. Kastrud replied that in his opinion the water issues would be handled by the berm and swale. The issue of drainage was discussed further. Mr. Kastrud offered no expert opinion on any water problems on any other properties. Tree protection was discussed for all trees on the properties that are able to be saved.Mrs. Mullins stated that the applicant should have root pruning done by a professional arborist. Mr. Andreas stated that he has carefully walked the site with the Shade Tree Management Board and an arborist. Careful consideration will be given to the trees. The homes will be landscaped and indigenous shrubs will be planted. Mrs. Mullins stated that it would be beneficial to the applicant to work closely with the Shade Tree Management Board and an arborist. The Omland Engineering report dated July 3, 2013 was discussed and Mr. Kastrud stated that his client has no objections to the requests in the memorandum. The berm on the westerly side was described. Mr. Kastrud also discussed the block wall shown on proposed lot 38.01. Mr. Flemming expressed concerns over the safety of the sidewalk. The prevailing front yard setbacks for the various adjacent lots on Greenwood Avenue was discussed however; no information was available for the prevailing front yard setbacks for the adjacent homes on Bardon Street. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board and its professionals if they had any further questions for Mr. Kastrud, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. Mr. Tombalakian asked the public if they had any questions for Mr. Kastrud, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. Ms. Blickstein reiterated that at TCC, it was discussed that he retain a historic resource expert to prepare a HABS survey of the existing home prior to demolition. Mr. Andreas stated that if it was recommended by HPC he would retain such an expert. Mr. Andreas relayed to the Board that we would be happy to work with any and all parties to do what is right for this property given its history. Mr. Tombalakian inquired if the Board had any further questions for Mr. Andreas, seeing none; he closed that portion of the hearing. The floor was then opened to the public for questions, seeing none Mr. Tombalakian closed that portion of the hearing. The floor was then open to the public for comments, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. Mr. Rubin having no further witnesses gave his closing summary. 4 Planning Board July 16, 2013 Deliberation of the Board began; motion to approve this application was made by Mr. Kopas, seconded by Mr. Johnson. A roll call was requested and recorded as follows: “Ayes” - Mrs. Baillie, Mr. Forte, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kopas , Mayor Conley, Mrs. Mullins, Mr. Tombalakian “Nays” – Mr. Flemming, Excused – Mr. Gertler OLD BUSINESS - There was no old business before the Board this evening. PLANNING DISCUSION – 2012 Zoning Board of Adjustment Annual Report. This item was tabled until the Planning Board hearing of August 6, 2013 Mr. Tombalakian announced that the Tuesday, August 20, 2013 Planning Board hearing has been cancelled. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Forte made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:25 P.M.; seconded by Mr. Kopas. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all members present and carried. Respectfully submitted, Frances Boardman Board Secretary 5