Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 5, 2014 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 5th day of August 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, Astri Baillie, Tom Johnson, Michael Kopas, Peter Flemming, and Jeff Gertler, and John Forte Excused: Mayor Robert Conley and Judy Mullins Absent: None 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 June 3, 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 Mr. Flemming. 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 – There were no resolutions for memorialization this evening. PUBLIC HEARING - Borough of Madison Master Plan Master Plan Amendments to the Environmental Resource Inventory Dr. Blickstein began by giving a brief overview of the documents submitted by the Environmental Commission dated May 21, 2014. The amendments include the Conservation Easement Inventory and Map and the Threatened and Endangered Wildlife Map. Ms. Baillie informed the Board that the Mayor and Council had done a resolution at their last meeting held on July 28, 2014 in support of these amendments. 1 Planning Board August 5, 2014 Motion to approve the Master Plan Amendments to the Environmental Resource Inventory as discussed this evening was made by Mr. Gertler, seconded by Ms. Baillie. A roll call was requested and recorded as follows: “Ayes” - Ms. Baillie, Mr. Tombalakian, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Gertler, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Forte, and Mr. Kopas. “Nays” – None “Absent”: None A formal resolution will be drawn up by Mr. Loughlin and memorialized on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 At this time, Mr. Gertler excused himself from the remainder of the meeting, since he had a conflict with the new business on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 14-002 Minor Subdivision Golden Spring Triangle, LLC Block: 4201, Lot: 11 85 Green Avenue Ms. Carlotta Budd applicant’s attorney gave a brief description of the application. The applicant who is the contract purchaser of the property at 85 Green Avenue proposes a conforming three lot subdivision. Ms. Budd requested that the first witness be sworn in. Mr. Andrew Clarke, 37 Girard Avenue, Chatham, New Jersey was sworn in. The Board being familiar with Mr. Clarke’s qualifications was accepted as an expert witness. Mr. Clarke began his testimony by giving an overview of the property. The property consists of a 1 story frame dwelling, in-ground pool, oversized garage and a loop drive all on 2.6 acres. The following exhibits were marked: Exhibit A-1: Boundary & Topographic Survey prepared by Andrew Clarke, dated July 10, 2014. Exhibit A-2: Minor Subdivision Plan prepared by Andrew Clarke, dated May 8, 2014, last revised July 10, 2014. Exhibit A-3: Conceptual Development Plan, prepared by Andrew Clarke, dated May 8, 2014, last revised July 10, 2014. The existing dwelling, garage, pool and related appurtenances are to be removed. Portions of the existing driveways, including the existing curb cuts will be utilized for the proposed development. Each lot created from this subdivision will contain a new single family dwelling as shown on Exhibit A-3. Memorandums received from Dr. Blickstein, dated June 17, 2014, revised July 14th, 2014 and Mr. Frank Russo’s dated July 2, 2014 were addressed in a written letter from Mr. Clarke on July 10, 2014 presented along with the revised plans. All elements of both memorandums are agreeable to the applicant. 2 Planning Board August 5, 2014 Discussion ensued regarding building the proposed new dwelling on proposed Lot 11.1 while the existing dwelling is still inhabited by the home owners. The Board was not amenable to this. Further discussion continued, the applicant was given the option of continuing with this three lot subdivision, or withdrawing the current application and returning with a two lot subdivision with variances. The applicant decided to move forward with the present application and wait for the homeowners to vacate the home and then demolish and build each lot. Ms. Baillie asked if Mr. Clarke about the grading in the front of the homes. Mr. Clarke stated that grading would be kept to a minimum in the front. The floor was opened to the public for questions of Mr. Clarke, seeing none Mr. Tombalakian closed that portion of the hearing. Mr. Joseph Patrick Misko, 26 Peachcroft Road, Morristown was sworn in. Mr. Misko stated that he is the prospective buyer of this property under contract to close on or about October 15, 2014. The Board began discussion with the applicant about the Shade Tree Management Board report, dated August 1, 2014. Proper tree protection will be a condition of approval if the Board looks favorably on the application. Mr. Misko stated that he is willing to comply with all comments made in the above aforementioned report. Mr. Tombalakian asked if the Board if they had any further questions of Mr. Misko. Seeing none, he closed that portion of the hearing. Mr. Tombalakian then opened the floor to the public for questions of Mr. Misko. Mr. John Wand, 37 Crescent Road, Madison was sworn in as he began by making statement about his property. Mr. Wand stated that the garage located in the rear of the property sits somewhat on his property. He fears that the trees on his property will not be protected from the demolition of the garage. Mr. Misko responded that all necessary precautions will be taken for all trees in the rear of the yard. Mr. Sean Hightower, 43 Crescent Road, Madison. Mr. Hightower inquired about the animals that may be harboring in the garage. Mr. Misko stated that he believes that raccoons have taken up residence in this garage. He stated that an exterminator will be brought in once demolition begins. Mr. Hightower questioned the small water retention pit in the rear yard. Mr. Misko stated that the intent is to remove this small pit. He has no intent on changing the flow of water to the adjoining properties and a drainage plan will be submitted along with the plans for the individual dwellings. Mr. Tombalakin opened the floor to the public for comments. Mr. Wand stated that he applauded the applicant for wanting to move things along. Since there were no further comments the public portion was closed. Ms. Budd gave her final summery of the application. 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 Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Flemming. A roll call was requested and recorded as follows: “Ayes” –Mr. Kopas, Mr. Forte, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Tombalakian, Ms. Baillie, and Mr. Johnson 3 Planning Board August 5, 2014 “Nays” – None “Absent” – Mayor Conley, and Mrs. Mullins “Recused” – Mr. Gertler OLD BUSINESS – None PLANNING DISCUSION – The subcommittee will meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:15pm even if the Planning Board meeting has been cancelled. The subcommittee will then report to the Board at the second meeting of the month. An announcement was made at this time that the August 19, 2014 Planning Board meeting was cancelled. CORRESPONDENCE – None Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Tombalakian made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:45 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 4