Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING MAY 6, 2014 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 6th day of May 2014 at 7:30 P.M., in the Court Room, 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 7, 2014, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 8, 2014, 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: Steve Tombalakian, Mayor Robert Conley, Tom Johnson, Judy Mullins, Astri Baillie, Peter Flemming, and Jeff Gertler who arrived at 7:41pm Excused: Michael Kopas, and John Forte Also Present: Susan Blickstein, Board Planner Vince Loughlin, Planning Board Attorney Frank Russo, Board Engineer Frances Boardman, Board Secretary Approval of Minutes: Copies of the April 15, 2014 regular meeting minutes were distributed to all Board members for their review prior to this meeting. A motion to approve the minutes was made by Ms. Baillie, seconded by Mrs. Mullins. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all eligible voting members and recorded. 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. Seeing no one he closed that portion of the meeting. RESOLUTIONS FOR MEMORIALIZATION – None NEW BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 14-001 Preliminary and Final Site Plan 39 Green Village Road, LLC Block: 3001, Lot: 23 39 Green Village Road Mr. Brian Burns applicant’s attorney gave a brief description of the application. The applicant proposes to construct a new three-story, 26 unit multi-family residential building and associated improvements at 39 Green Village Road in the R-5 Zone, and was subject, upon the adopted development standards in the Redevelopment Plan governing the site. The prior dwelling on the site was destroyed by fire. 1 Planning Board May 6, 2014 Mr. Burns informed the Board that he had two expert witnesses ready to testify this evening. Mr. Brett Skapinetz, 245 Main Street, Suite 113, Chester, New Jersey was sworn in. Mr. Skapinetz gave his qualifications to the Board and was accepted as an expert witness. The following exhibits were marked: Exhibit A-1: Arial map prepared by Dynamic Engineering, dated March 7, 2014 Exhibit A-2: Colorized Site Plan prepared by Dynamic Engineering, dated May 5, 2014 Exhibit A-3: Title Survey prepared by DPK Consulting, dated October 30, 2013 Mr. Skapinetz began his testimony by describing the previous structure that stood at 39 Green Village Road prior to the devastating fire that left the building demolished. A Redevelopment Plan was adopted by Mayor and Council for this site. The applicant is planning on constructing a new three-story 26 unit multi-family residential building. These units will be high end rental units. A 13’ wide drive aisle is proposed along with two curb cuts. The design is to maintain the same access to the site as was previous there. A total of 41 parking spaces are being proposed, with 19 spaces at grade and 22 spaces below grade. Storm Water piping and seepage pits are in place today. The applicant proposes new lighting and landscaping along with other related improvements to the site. Mr. Burns distributed a hand-out to all Board members and professionals, dated May 6, 2014. The design exceptions as outlined on Mr. Burn’s hand-out were discussed. The subject of snow removal was brought up and discussed. It was determined that snow would need to be taken off site from the back of the building. Mrs. Mullins asked that the Board attorney to include a paragraph about tree protection in the resolution during the building process. Lighting was discussed and it was stated that at the residential property line light spillage is zero. There is no foot traffic anticipated from Drew University through this property. The Omland memorandum prepared by Frank Russo, dated April 25, 2014 was discussed. Particular attention was paid to the landscaping in the parking area, the trash enclosure and Restoration Bonding. Dr. Blickstein’s memorandum, dated April 17, 2014 was discussed next. No generator is proposed for this site. All HVAC equipment will be placed on the roof and properly screened. No irrigation in the rear of the building is proposed. This was cause for concern with several Board members. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board if they had any further questions for Mr. Skapinetz seeing none he opened the floor to the public for questions, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. A five minute break was taken from 8:45pm to 8:50pm when the meeting convened with all Board members present. During the break Mr. Burns conferred with his client and stated that a drip irrigation line would be provided to the rear of the building for the watering of plants. 2 Planning Board May 6, 2014 Next to testify was Stuart Johnson, 80 Lambert Lane, Lambertville, NJ. Mr. Johnson was sworn in and gave the Board his qualifications. Mr. Johnson was accepted as an expert witness. The following exhibits were marked: Exhibit A-4: Previously existing photos of the site taken in October 2013 Exhibit A-5: South East Elevation – Front Exhibit A-6: North East Elevation – Side Exhibit A-7: North West Elevation – Rear Exhibit A-8: South West Elevation – Side Mr. Johnson elaborated on the testimony of Mr. Skapinetz stating that the 26 unit multi-family building will contain 8 one-bedroom units and 18 two-bedroom units. This will be a high end rental building. Mr. Johnson stated that the proposed building will mimic the rich Tudor style of the previous building. The front of the building will have a vestibule entryway with will be on an electronic timer. The vestibule will also have a call box to the tenant’s apartments. The elevations were discussed that were marked into evidence. Mr. Gertler suggested trying to tie the front and rear facades together. Dr. Blickstein suggested that the Tudor styling wrap around the building. Mr. Johnson agreed that modest changes could be incorporated in order to tie the Tudor details to the rear of the building. It was stated that all exterior mechanical equipment placed on the rooftop will be in compliance with the Redevelopment Plan. Mr. Johnson explained to the Board that the proposed building will have LEEDS Standards, stating that Impervious Coverage was reduced and bicycle spaces would be provided in the basement. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board if they had any questions for Mr. Johnson. Mr. Flemming inquired how premium parking would be assigned. The Board was informed that each unit was guaranteed one parking space and premium parking spaces would be handled on a first come first serve basis. Mr. Mark Yeager, 65 Lenox Road, Summit, NJ, applicant, was sworn in to answer questions regarding the parking. Mr. Yeager was asked where guests would park when visiting the tenants of 39 Green Village Road. It was stated that guest would be expected to park on the street. Mr. Russo inquired about the exhaust system for the underground garage. Mr. Johnson stated that the exhaust fumes would have a vertical draw through the roof and an open ventilated door. Satellite dishes were discussed and it was determined that there would only be one main satellite dish placed on the building. Mr. Tombalakian asked if the Board had any further questions for Mr. Johnson or Mr. Yeager, seeing none he opened the floor to the public for questions. Seeing none he opened the floor to the public for comments. Seeing none he closed that portion of the meeting. The Board began their deliberation; Mr. Loughlin addressed the conditions that will be included in the resolution. Motion to approve this application with the conditions as stated during testimony was made by Mayor Conley, seconded by Mrs. Mullins. A roll call was requested and recorded as follows: “Ayes” –Mayor Conley, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Tombalakian, Ms. Baillie, Mrs. Mullins, Mr. Gertler and Mr. Johnson “Nays” – None “Absent” - Mr. Kopas and Mr. Forte. 3 Planning Board May 6, 2014 PUBLIC HEARING - Borough of Madison Master Plan Master Plan Amendment Dr. Blickstein began by stating that after the last meeting held on April 1, 2014 all comments and concerns from the stakeholders were revisited and discussed by the subcommittee. A memorandum prepared by Dr. Blickstein was distributed to all Board members and discussed. Points touched upon included eliminating the overall parking cap, allowing more conventional parking structures, which are not permitted by current zoning and clarifying that subsurface parking does not count towards impervious coverage and increase the percentage of impervious coverage from 15% to 17.5%. Mr. Glenn Pantel, Esq, attorney for Giralda Farms RE LLC, an affiliate of Lincoln Equities distributed a letter dated May 2, 2014 to all Board members. The letter stated that after careful evaluation of the proposed Master Plan Amendments his client feels that the proposal does not come close to providing the flexibility needed for his client’s parking needs. Mr. Tombalakian stated that the Planning Board subcommittee and its Professionals had spent many hours working on the Amendments to the Master Plan and was mindful of the language and the needs of each individual site. Dr. Blickstein stated that specific parking language flexibility could be incorporated into the Master Plan Amendment. Motion to approve the Master Plan Amendments with language changes as discussed this evening was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Ms. Baillie. A roll call was requested and recorded as follows: “Ayes” –Mayor Conley, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Tombalakian, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Gertler and Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Mullins “Nays” – None “Absent”: Mr. Forte, and Mr. Kopas. OLD BUSINESS – None PLANNING DISCUSION – • Storm Water Management Ordinance Changes – • Conservation Easements - These items were not discussed this evening, however; the Storm Water Management Ordinance Changes will be placed on the agenda for May 20, 2014 for discussion. The Conservation Easements discussion will be placed on the agenda of June 3, 2014. It was also determined that an invitation would be extended to Ms. Betsy Uhlman, Environmental Commission Chairwoman to discuss the ERI Amendments to the Master Plan. 4 Planning Board May 6, 2014 Mr. Tombalakian stated that now that the Amendments to the Master Plan were completed for Giraldi Farms, the subcommittee should start to look at Drew University. It was determined that the following Dr. Blickstein, Mr. Tombalakian, Mr. Gertler, Ms. Baillie and Mrs. Mullins would head the subcommittee to review University District Master Plan Amendments. It was determined that Drew University would need to schedule a meeting for review of Drew University Master Plan. Dr. Blickstein informed the Board that the Housing and Fair Share Element of the Master Plan would need to be filed by May 2015. The Zoning Board of Adjustment Annual report will be placed on a future agenda for discussion. CORRESPONDENCE – None Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Tombalakian made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:40 P.M.; seconded by Mrs. Mullins. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all members present and carried. Respectfully submitted, Frances Boardman Board Secretary 5