Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING APRIL 21, 2015 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 21st day of April 2015 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 6, 2015, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 7, 2015, 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, Michael Kopas, Tom Johnson, Jeff Gertler, Astri Baillie, and Peter Flemming Excused: John Forte and Mayor Robert Conley 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 April 7, 2015 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. Gertler. 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 – CASE NO. P 15-002 Minor Subdivision with Variances Parisi Builders Block: 2401, Lot: 12 180 Kings Road Resolution granting the Minor Subdivision with Variances to Parisi Builders for the Minor Subdivision with Variances on property located at 180 Kings Road, Madison commonly known on the Borough of Madison Tax Map as Block 2401, Lot 12. The draft resolution was sent to the applicant’s Attorney, Ms. Carlotta Budd, Esq. 1 Planning Board April 21, 2015 As well as the Planning Board members and its Professionals for review prior to this evening’s meeting. Ms. Budd asked that the draft resolution be revised with regard to driveway configuration. Mr. Russo concurred with these changes. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board and its Professionals if they had any further comments or questions concerning the resolution and the recommendations as stated this evening. Mr. Tombalakian asked for a motion to approve the resolution with the changes regarding the driveway placement. A motion was made by Mr. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Kopas; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” –Mr. Tombalakian, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Gertler and Mr. Kopas “Nays” – None “Abstain” – Ms. Baillie, and Mr. Flemming PLANNING DISCUSSION – Mr. Gary Hall, Esq. Zoning Board Attorney, and Mr. Joseph Santoro, Zoning Board Chairman discussed the 2014 Annual Report from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Mr. Santoro informed the Board that over 66% of the Zoning Board applications heard in 2014 had to deal with impervious coverage issues. Mr. Santoro felt that the Borough needs to find a comprehensive approach with dealing with this issue in order to avoid storm water runoff problems. Another issued discussed this evening was the need for Code Enforcement. Mr. Tombalakian thanked Mr. Santoro and Mr. Hall for their recommendations this evening and their work put forth by the Board. REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION ITEMS - On referral from the Governing Body Ordinance 28-2015 of the Borough of Madison Amending Chapter 195-5, Titled “Prohibited Uses” of the Land Development Ordinance of the Borough of Madison Prohibiting Unregulated Pipelines in any Zoning District. A brief discussion took place to explain in more detail this ordinance. Mr. Tombalakian opened the floor to the public for comment, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. A motion was made by Mr. Gertler, seconded by Mr. Kopas to recommend that the Mayor and Council adopt proposed Ordinance 28-2015. The Planning Board found that the proposed Ordinance recommendation is consistent with the Master Plan of the Borough of Madison. A roll call was requested and recorded as follows: “Ayes” – Ms. Baillie, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Gertler, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kopas, and Mr. Tombalakian “Nays” – None “Absent” – Mayor Conley and Mr. Forte. On referral from the Governing Body Resolution R 122-2015 of the Borough of Madison Authorizing Submission to the Planning Board of a Proposed Resolution Declaring the Property at 28 Walnut Street, Block 1601, Lot 42 as an Area In Need of Rehabilitation. 2 Planning Board April 21, 2015 The Madison Planning Board after review a motion was made by Mr. Flemming, seconded by Mr. Gertler to recommend that the Mayor and Council adopt the proposed Resolution Declaring the Property at 28 Walnut Street (Block: 1601, Lot: 42) as an area in need of rehabilitation. The Planning Board found that the proposed Resolution is consistent with the Master Plan of the Borough of Madison. A roll call was requested and recorded as follows: “Ayes” – Ms. Baillie, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Gertler, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kopas, and Mr. Tombalakian “Nays” – None “Absent” – Mayor Conley and Mr. Forte. NEW BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 14-003 Amended Site Plan with Variances B.I.G. Management, LLC Block: 1502, Lot: 10 6 Main Street Ms. Rosemary Stone-Dougherty, Esq began with a brief summary of the application. She stated that the applicant had previously met with the Sign and Façade Committee and several changes had been made to the Master Signage Plan application before the Board this evening. Mr. Ronald Weiss, Weiss Design Group, 629 West Mount Pleasant Avenue, Livingston was sworn in. Mr. Weiss gave his qualifications to the Board and was accepted as an expert witness. A Master Signage Plan prepared by Weiss Design Group consisting of three sheets, dated January 23, 2015 were used during the presentation. This site plan set was distributed to all Board members and its Professionals prior to this evening’s meeting. The variances being sought this evening were discussed, and the changes made to the current plan in relationship to the variances being requested were gone over. It was confirmed through testimony that the blade sign is now conforming and the number of variance needed is reduced to four. The following exhibits, prepared by Weiss Design Group were marked into evidence: A-1: Lighting Cut Sheet It was determined that the Cook Avenue Free Standing Sign would be illuminated with ground mounted lights. The aesthetics of the signage was discussed and Mr. Weiss stated that the proposed signage would be wood carved. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board if they had any further questions for Mr. Weiss, seeing none he opened the floor to the public for questions. Seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. Mr. Richard Keller, Casey & Keller Inc, 258 Main Street, Millburn, NJ was sworn in. Mr. Keller gave his qualifications to the Board and was accepted as an expert witness. 3 Planning Board April 21, 2015 Mr. Keller told the Board that the property is unique and is a much larger lot than various other multi-tenant buildings in the CBD1 Zone. Mr. Keller discussed with the Board the four variances being requested in the Master Signage Plan in depth. The following Exhibits were marked into evidence: A-2: Urban Fire Signage Plan prepared by Urban Neon Sign, Lighting and Graphics Company 500 Pine Street, Holmes, PA. Dated 3-23-2015 A-3: Color Photo Board # 2 prepared by Casey & Keller on March 3, 2015 and March 17, 2015 A-4: Proposed Signage Aesthetics A-5: Color Photo Board # 1 prepared by Casey & Keller on March 3, 2015 and March 17, 2015 The existing signage and the proposed signage were discussed at length. Dr. Blickstein inquired as to the colors and backgrounds of the various signs being proposed. It was determined during testimony that the applicant would amend the table of signs. Each façade of the building and the signage proposed was discussed. Exhibit A-6: Tenant signage Stipulations. Mr. Keller stated that this Master Signage Plan will give each tenant a flexible outline for their signage needs. Mr. Keller feels that the criterion has been met to justify the C1 and C2 variances. Mr. Tombalakian asked if the Board or its professionals if they had any further questions for Mr. Keller, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. The floor was then opened to the public, seeing none he closed that portion of the meeting The Board felt that the Master Plan presented was an attractive plan and would enhance the façade of the building however; they felt that this evening’s presentation was non-cohesive. Prior to the Boards deliberation and vote, conditions and stipulations to be included in the resolution were presented to the Board by Dr. Blickstein. Motion to approve this application with the conditions as stated during testimony was made by Mr. Tombalakian, seconded by Mr. Gertler. A roll call was requested and recorded as follows: “Ayes” –Ms. Baillie, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Gertler, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Kopas, and Mr. Tombalakian “Nays” – None “Absent” – Mayor Conley and Mr. Forte. OLD BUSINESS – None CORRESPONDENCE – None Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Tombalakian made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:15 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 4 Planning Board April 21, 2015 5