Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 4, 2014 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 4th day of November 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, Peter Flemming, Jeff Gertler, Judy Mullins, John Forte, and Mayor Robert Conley who arrived at 7:40pm Excused: Michael Kopas 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 September 2, 2014 regular meeting minutes were distributed to all Board members for their review prior to this meeting. One small correction was noted. A motion to approve the minutes as corrected was made by Mrs. Mullins, 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 – None NEW BUSINESS –None OLD BUSINESS – None 1 Planning Board November 4, 2014 PLANNING DISCUSION – KRE MADISON URBAN RENEWAL, LLC Proposed Amendment to GVRS Redevelopment Plan The Redevelopment Plan governing the GVR site dated October 12, 2011 had a maximum height of Four Stories/45 feet with incentives in Sub Zone II. The maximum height with incentives was then increased in August 2013 to Four Stories/50 feet in response to concept plans and feedback received during the RFP process regarding height regulations. Mr. Robert Powell, Esq began by explaining to the Board why the applicant was before the Board seeking an amendment for an increase in height to the GVRS Redevelopment Plan. Mr. Powell stated that he had three witnesses this evening that would discuss these changes to the redevelopment plan. Mr. Dean Marchetto, 1225 Willow Avenue, Hoboken, NJ was sworn in along with Brian Mc Morrow, Bohler Engineering, Warren, NJ and Thomas Gough – KRE, 520 US Highway, Bridgewater, NJ. Mr. Marchetto stated that this site would be any extension of the downtown area. Four buildings will be built on the site which will include a 3,000 square foot Community Room and restaurant in Building A. There will also be a 16,000 square feet open park space in front of this building. Building B will contain 100 rental units. Building C and D will consist of 35 Condominium Units. There will be two levels of parking below each building. The request before the Board was to increase the height of the front buildings on Kings Road. Mr. Marchetto concluded his presentation. Mr. Mc Morrow, Bohler Engineering, stated that a Landscape Architect is on board but was unable to attend this evening. Mr. Mc Morrow stated that increasing the height of the buildings on Kings Road is the optimal solution to the problem. KRE would need to truck off site at least 50, 000 cubic yards of soil, which is quite costly as opposed to redistributing the soil along the site. The Board feels that this is a self-imposed hardship. Storm-water management would be underground on the site. Mr. Mc Morrow concluded his presentation. Mr. Gough stated that KRE had created a pedestrian friendly, ADA compliant development. The Planning Board’s main issues with this amendment request includes the massing of Building A, the technical height issue that the Board subcommittee worked so hard to develop and the landscaping and retaining wall issues. Mr. Tombalakian asked for a motion to direct Dr. Blickstein to Amend the Green Village Road School Redevelopment Plan. A motion was made by Mayor Conley, seconded by Mrs. Mullins; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” –Mr. Tombalakian, Mr. Flemming, Mrs. Mullins and Mayor Conley “Nays” – Mr. Gertler, Mr. Forte, Mr. Johnson, and Ms. Baillie “Abstain” – None 2 Planning Board November 4, 2014 CORRESPONDENCE – None An announcement was made at this time that the November 18, 2014 Planning Board meeting would be cancelled and rescheduled to further discuss the purposed amendment to the Green Village Road Redevelopment Plan. The next meeting of the Planning Board will be held on Thursday, November 20, 2014. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Tombalakian made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:00 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 3