Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2016 Following the reorganization meeting a regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 16th day of February 2016 at 7:50 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 5, 2016, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 6, 2016, 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: Jeff Gertler, Michael Kopas, Tom Lewis, John Forte, Astri Baillie, Steve Tombalakian, George Limbach Excused: Mayor Robert Conley and Peter Flemming Absent: None 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 January 19, 2016 regular meeting 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. Lewis. 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 – Master Land Use Plan Drew University Block: 3001, Lot: 1 36 Madison Avenue Mr. Michael Kopas stepped down from his position on the Planning Board and presented the Drew University Master Plan to the Board. Mr. Kopas introduced Dr. Mary Ann Baenninger, President of Drew University. 1 Planning Board February 16, 2016 Mr. Kopas stated that Dr. Baenninger has been with Drew University for the last eighteen months and has an unwritten vision for the campus. She will try to put the main priorities of the school forward. The Campus /Facilities will move forward with a more detailed Master Plan, as the vision for Drew advances. The University decided that they need to take a step forward in order to attract students to the school. Mr. Kopas explained to the Board that Drew has several projects that they are working on now that will come to the Board. One being the renovation to the University Common Area, this area will have a modest upgrade and Drew is working on this project with an architect presently. The other project has to do with vehicular and pedestrian traffic. This project will appear before the Technical Coordinating Committee on March 1, 2016. Drew University is looking at the campus section by section. They are investing in the campus and will be going forward with interior space renovations. A planned reconstruction of the Math and Science Center will create a vibrate student space. Drew is looking to marry academic space with social space for the students and faculty. The total amount of impervious coverage on campus was discussed. Drew is currently at 19.89% where 20% impervious coverage is permitted. Drew is comprised of 186 acres of land. Dealing with this subject, Mr. Kopas affirmed that if new housing were to be proposed on campus that some flexibility would be needed. He proclaimed that Drew partnering with the Borough of Madison makes for a strong school and a strong town. At the moment only Junior and Seniors are allowed cars on campus, and class sizes are down, but the hope is that the campus population will once again grow. Dr. Blickstein inquired of the number of staff members. Mr. Kopas stated that the staff population was 535 members. Mr. Tombalakian asked if not being able to have a car on campus as a freshman or sophomore was a deterrent to those students. Mr. Kopas stated that this was not a real problem and that for the past 9 years Drew has partnered with Zip Car on campus and it has worked out really well. There is no out of pocket for Drew University and for $9.00 an hour which includes gas and insurance any student with a membership can drive one of the cars. Mr. Gertler questioned Mr. Kopas as to the number of students currently enrolled at Drew, and what the ideal target number of enrolled students would be. Mr. Kopas affirmed that current student enrollment was 2042, and that he did not have a concrete number in mind for future enrollment. Mr. Kopas stated that Drew was hoping to have their Commons Area project started this summer while the upgrade to housing would initially begin in stages over the summer as well. Mr. Russo was curious as to why the University was hesitant to increase their Impervious Coverage. Mr. Kopas expressed that Drew would consider an increase to their Impervious Coverage when they had to. Ms. Baillie posed the question to Mr. Kopas that Drew University consider a Conservation Easement. Mr. Kopas stated that he felt that a Conservation Easement is unnecessary. Dr. Blickstein pointed out that it might be a good idea to have the design professionals incorporate into their analysis the impervious coverage with and without a Conservation Easement. 2 Planning Board February 16, 2016 Mr. Kopas is aware that Impervious Coverage is an issue especially with the possible growth of the campus. He remarked that a housing study will need to be completed prior to moving forward with any decision as well as a parking analysis. At this point in time the presentation was complete. Mr. Tombalakian thanked Mr. Kopas for the very informative session. Mr. Kopas rejoined the Board at 8:25pm. OLD BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 15-012 Major Six Lot Subdivision with Variances Millennium Development Group, LLC Block: 5201, Lot: 11 286 Kings Road At the request of the applicant’s Attorney this case was adjourned to the March 1, 2016 agenda. The Attorney was advised that he will need to re-notice for this hearing. PLANNING DISCUSION – Tree Removal – Demolition permits Mr. Loughlin had previously distributed a copy of the Westfield Tree Preservation Ordinance to all Board Members and Professionals. The Professionals and Board members discussed a means to control tree removal during the process of an application. It was decided after much discussion that the Board would focus on tree removal procedures for site plan and subdivision applications. Mr. Loughlin asked Secretary Boardman to send to him a copy of the above aforementioned applications. Mr. Forte inquired to the barn still standing at 85 Green Avenue. Mr. Russo explained to the Board that it was more convenient to leave the barn intact while building the houses. Mr. Russo will reach out the builder once again and remind him that a condition in the resolution was that the barn be taken down. Dr. Blickstein asked Secretary Boardman to circulate to the Board a copy of her February 11, 2016 memorandum regarding Historic Preservation and Compatibility of Residential Infill Development. CORRESPONDENCE – None Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Tombalakian made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:15P.M.; seconded by Mr. Forte. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all members present and carried. Respectfully submitted, Frances Boardman Board Secretary 3