Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING JUNE 6, 2017 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 6th day of June 2017 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 Acting Chairman, Mayor Robert Conley. Mayor Conley 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 17, 2017, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 18, 2017, a copy of the schedule of meetings will be posted at the bulletin board at the entrance to the Hartley Dodge Memorial, 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: Mayor Robert Conley, Michael Kopas, Tom Lewis, Peter Flemming, Astri Baillie, Jeff Gertler and George Limbach Excused: Steve Tombalakian, and John Forte Also Present: Vince Loughlin, Planning Board Attorney Susan Blickstein, Board Planner Frank Russo, Assistant Borough Engineer Frances Boardman, Board Secretary Approval of Minutes: Copies of the minutes of the April 4, 2017 regular meeting were distributed to all Board members for their review prior to this meeting. A motion to approve the minutes as presented was made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Gertler. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all eligible voting members and recorded. Comments by the Public: Mayor Conley 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 17-002 Minor Subdivision with Variances Mohamed Seyam 241 Kings Road Block: 3902, Lot: 4 Resolution granting the Minor Subdivision with Variances to Mohamed Seyam, on property located at 241 Kings Road, Madison commonly known on the Borough of Madison Tax Map as Block: 3902, Lot: 4 The draft resolution was sent to the Applicant’s Attorney, Mr. Samuel DeAngelis, Esq. as well as the Planning Board members and it’s Professionals for review prior to this evening’s meeting. Mayor Conley asked the Board if they had any further comments or questions concerning the resolution. Seeing none he asked for a motion to approve the resolution as presented by Mr. Loughlin, motion was made by Mr. Lewis, seconded by Mr. Gertler; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mayor Conley, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Gertler, Mr. Kopas, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Limbach “Nays” – None “Abstain” – Ms. Baillie “Excused” – Mr. Tombalakian and Mr. Forte 1 Planning Board June 6, 2017 NEW BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 17-004 Minor Subdivision with Variances Borough of Madison 117 Kings Road Block: 3801 Lot: 1 Due to insufficient noticing this application will be carried to the June 20, 2017 agenda of the Borough of Madison Planning Board. CASE NO. P 17-003 Minor Subdivision with Variances Arcangelo Benigno 58 Lathrop Avenue Block: 4305, Lot: 5 Mr. Nino Coviello, Esq began by giving a brief description of this application. Arcangelo Benigno, owner of the property at 58 Lathrop Avenue, proposes to subdivide the property to create two single-family lots in the R-3 District. The property consists of an existing home on approximately 16,500 square feet. The existing home will be demolished. The requested subdivision will require variances on both lots for minimum lot area (total and within 125’ of the right- of-way), minimum lot width, side yard setback and building coverage. Mr. Coviello stated that all documents that will be discussed this evening are in the plan sets received by the Board members and Professionals. Mr. Coviello stated that present to testify this evening is Mr. Andrew Clarke, Engineer; Ms. Marjorie Roller, Architect. He also stated that the owner of the property was present for any questions that may arise. Mr. Andrew Clarke, 466 Southern Boulevard, Chatham, New Jersey 07981 was sworn in. Having appeared before the board on many occasions Mr. Clarke was accepted as an expert witness. Mr. Clarke began by explaining to the board the current conditions that exist at 58 Lathrop Avenue today. He stated that this property is owned by the applicant Mr. Archangelo Benigno. Mr. Clarke stated to the Board that the lot currently houses a 2 family home and a detached garage. Both structures would be demolished for the minor subdivision. Both lots purposed are deficient in minimum lot area, minimum lot width, side yard setback and building coverage. Mr. Clarke explained to the Board that if this minor subdivision with variances was to be approved the current non-conforming use and structure would be removed. Mr. Clarke stated that the topography of the property was flat and the soil was good. There is no existing storm water or drainage system on site and the proposed subdivision lots will have proposed drywells in the rear of each new property. The April 7, 2017 memorandum from Mr. Frank Russo, Assistant Borough Engineer was addressed and Mr. Clarke said that all comments in the memorandum would be complied with. Dr. Blickstein asked Mr. Clarke if the applicant had considered acquiring adjoining property to make the proposed subdivision more conforming, Mr. Clarke replied that no neighboring land has been sought; since the adjoining property is already non-conforming. Mayor Conley asked the Board and its professionals if they had any further questions of Mr. Clarke, seeing none he opened the floor to the members of the public for questions. Mr. Michael Liddy, residing at 64 Lathrop Avenue, Madison. Mr. Liddy inquired about the property lines shown on the subdivision plan, Mr. Clarke responded to Mr. Liddy by showing him the property lines as depicted. Dr. Blickstein discussed with Mr. Clarke and Mr. Coviello that she would like to see noted on the final subdivision plans the trees on the property that will be saved. Both were in agreement. Next to testify and be sworn in was Marjorie Roller, of ASA Design, located at 23 Green Village Road, Madison. Ms. Roller was accepted as an expert witness. The following exhibits were marked into evidence: Exhibit A-1: Color Rendering of Proposed New Homes Exhibit A – 2: Photo Board dated June 1, 2017 2 Planning Board June 6, 2017 Ms. Roller began by giving an overview of the application sighting the demolishing of the current non-conforming two- family dwelling and creating two single family homes. Each home will be a traditional style Colonial with four bedrooms and an attached one car garage, each home will be constructed differently as shown in exhibit A-1. The variances for each new lot were discussed with the Board. The Board questioned Ms. Roller about building a detached garage vs. an attached garage as proposed. Ms. Roller provided testimony reciting the positive criteria that approving this subdivision would create. No trees are being affected by this subdivision or by the creation of the new homes. Each home will have a drywell system installed improving the drainage. Mayor Conley asked the Board and its Professionals if they had any further questions for Ms. Roller, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing and opened the floor to the public. Mr. Michael Liddy residing at 64 Lathrop Avenue, Madison asked what the time line for construction of the new homes was. Ms. Roller replied that the start of the project would be the fall of 2017. Dr. Blickstein inquired if a landscaping plan was going to be provided since one was not presented with the application. Exhibit A-3 Landscape Detail Plan provided by Rose Valley Nursery Copies of this plan were provided to the Board members. It was determined that the applicant would work with the Shade Tree Management Board in regards to the street trees. It was also noted that 3 new deciduous trees would be added to the front yards of each new home and four deciduous trees would be added to the rear yards. Mechanicals would also be screened. After review it was determined the Mr. George Limbach would provide some suggestions to the applicant in regards to species of trees and plants as well as copy the Board. Seeing no further questions Mayor Conley closed that portion of the hearing. The Board began their deliberation Motion to approve was made by Mr. Kopas, seconded by Mr. Flemming and the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mayor Conley, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Gertler, Mr. Kopas, and Mr. Limbach “Nays” – Mr. Lewis “Abstain” – None “Excused” – Mr. Forte and Mr. Tombalakian At 9:00pm the Board took a 10 minute break, returning at 9:10pm with all Board members present OLD BUSINESS – None PLANNING DISCUSION – Central Business District 1 and the 2016 Zoning Board Annual Report The Board discussed at length the Central Business District Zone and the Urbanomics report dated May 15, 2017 that was provided to each Board member. Ms. Baillie provided each Board member and Professional with a memorandum dated June 5, 2017 which was discussed at length. The details of this memorandum included change in use/change in occupancy in the Central business District, hours of operation, signage, and maximum stories of buildings. It was recommended that Dr. Blickstein draft a memorandum with options regarding the CBD1 Zone. The Board and its Professionals was asked to keep in mind the visual character of the town. Mr. Russo was asked to look into the business hours as acknowledged in the Borough Code. These items will be re-visited at the next Planning Board meeting. CORRESPONDENCE – None Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mayor Conley made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 10:35pm.; seconded by Mr. Lewis. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all members present and carried. Respectfully submitted, Frances Boardman Board Secretary 3