Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING JULY 5, 2016 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 5th day of July 2016 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 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: Peter Flemming, Tom Lewis, Michael Kopas, Steve Tombalakian, George Limbach, and Jeff Gertler who arrived at 7:47 PM. Excused: Mayor Robert Conley, Astri Baillie and John Forte Susan Blickstein, Board Planner Absent: None Also Present: Frank Russo, Board Engineer Vince Loughlin, Planning Board Attorney Frances Boardman, Board Secretary Approval of Minutes: Copies of the minutes of the June 21, 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 Mr. Kopas, seconded by Mr. Tombalakian. 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 Review and Recommendation Items – On referral from the Governing Body: Ordinance 52-2016 “Ordinance of the Borough of Madison Amending and Supplementing Certain Affordable Housing Provisions of Chapter 195-46, 195-47 and 195- 48 of the Madison Borough Code Entitled “Land Development Ordinance”. Upon review of the above mentioned Ordinance Mr. Kopas made a motion to recommend the Ordinance to Mayor and Council for adoption, seconded by Mr. Flemming; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mr. Flemming, Mr. Limbach, Mr. Kopas, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Tombalakian “Nays” – None “Abstain” – None “Excused” – Ms. Baillie, Mayor Conley, and Mr. Forte 1 Planning Board July 5, 2016 NEW BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 15-004 Extension of Approval Minor Subdivision with Variances 173 Ridgedale Avenue, LLC 173 Ridgedale Avenue Block: 602, Lots: 12 & 27 A letter dated June 30, 2016 from the Applicant’s Attorney was received requesting an extension of approval for the minor subdivision with variances that was approved by resolution on December 1, 2015. Mr. Calta, Esq. stated that the subdivision deed for the matter was not recorded in a timely manner. The Board after some discussion agreed to a six (6) month Extension of Approval. Mr. Tombalakian asked for a motion to approve the request for a six (6) month Extension of Approval for the Minor Subdivision with Variances for 173 Ridgedale Avenue, a motion was made by Mr. Kopas, seconded by Mr. Lewis; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” –Mr. Limbach, Mr. Kopas, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Tombalakian “Nays” – None “Abstain” – Mr. Flemming “Excused” – Ms. Baillie, Mayor Conley, and Mr. Forte CASE NO. P 16-004 Preliminary and Final Site Plan Drew University 36 Madison Avenue Block: 3001, Lot: 1 Mr. Kopas recused himself from this application and left his seat at the dais. Two exhibits that would be used during testimony were marked. Exhibit A-1: Color Arial Photo of Drew University Site, prepared by Bohler Engineering, Dated July 5, 2016 Exhibit A-2: Color Rendering of Site Plan, prepared by Bohler Engineering, Dated June 27, 2016 Mr. Joseph Sordillo, Esq. began by giving a brief summary of the application. The applicant Drew University is seeking to make renovations to the University Commons Area and construct a dining vestibule addition of 174 square feet. Mr. Sordillo stated that he had three witnesses that would offer testimony this evening. The first to testify was Mr. Frank Merckx, Drew University Dean of Students and Dining Hall Director, 27 Woodcliff Drive, Madison, NJ. Mr. Merckx was sworn in and accepted by the Board as an expert witness. Mr. Merckx stated that the building that houses the dining hall is old and in need of improvements. The addition of the proposed vestibule addition would make the entrance to the dining hall more accessible. The Commons area is in the center of the campus, and would create a more modern dining hall for the students and faculty. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board if they had any questions for Mr. Merckx, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing, he then opened the floor to the public for questions of this witness. Seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. Next to be sworn in and offer testimony was Brad Thompson, Bohler Engineering, 35 Technology Drive, Warren, NJ. The exhibits that were marked earlier as Exhibits A-1 and A-2 were used during Mr. 2 Thompson’s testimony. Mr. Thompson was accepted as an expert witness. Mr. Thompson explained to the Board that a new pedestrian walkway is proposed and would be constructed of pervious asphalt. The vestibule addition is a mere 174 square feet. Three trees will be removed for this project along with one tree that was observed by the Shade Tree Committee to be in poor condition and asked to be removed however; three new Birch Trees will be planted along with various shrubs and ornamental grasses. Several retaining walls are also being proposed for this site as a result of grading and the vestibule addition. There is no lighting being proposed for this project. The applicant has agreed to comply with all comments provided by Dr. Blickstein, Board Planner in a memorandum dated June 17, 2016 and the Shade Tree Management Board’s memorandum dated June 1, 2016. Mr. Frank Russo also asked Mr. Thompson several questions with regards to the underground drains and the porous asphalt, and soils. Mr. Thompson stated that all permits and SESC will be filed and that the applicant would provide adequate maintenance to the underground drains as a condition if the Board looked favorably on this application. Mr. Tombalakian asked if the Board had any further questions for Mr. Thompson, seeing none he open the floor to the public for questions. Seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. Mr. Matthew McQuaide, Kimmel Bogrette Architecture, 151 East 10th Avenue, Suite 300, Conshohocken, Pa. was sworn in. Mr. McQuaide presented to the Board his background and qualifications. Mr. Tombalakian asked Mr. Loughlin if Mr. McQuaide could be accepted as a qualified witness since he is licensed in Pa. Mr. Loughlin asked Mr. McQuaide if his was familiar with the site plan as marked into eveidence. Mr. McQuaide stated that he was. The Board accepted him as an expert witness. Mr. McQuaide described the same vestibule addition, stating that this addition is small in scale and would improve the operation of the building and enhance the day to day use as well of the dining room and commons. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board and its Professionals if they had any questions for Mr. McQuaide seeing none, he opened the floor to the public for questions; seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. The public was given the opportunity to comment on this project, seeing none this portion of the hearing was closed. Mr. Sordillo made his closing remarks. The Board began their deliberation; Mr. Loughlin listed the conditions that would be included in the resolution Mr. Tombalakian asked for a motion to approve the request for Preliminary and Final Site Plan for Drew University, 36 Madison Avenue, a motion was made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Limbach; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mr. Flemming, Mr. Gertler, Mr. Limbach, Mr. Lewis, and Mr. Tombalakian “Nays” – None “Abstain” – Mr. Kopas “Excused” – Ms. Baillie, Mayor Conley, and Mr. Forte Mr. Kopas returned to his seat on the dias. OLD BUSINESS – None PLANNING DISCUSION – 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 8:09P.M.; seconded by Mr. Kopas. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all members present and carried. Respectfully submitted, Frances Boardman Board Secretary 3