Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 2018 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 6th day of February 2018 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 Vice Chairman, John Forte Mr. Forte 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 16, 2018, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 17, 2018, 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, Tom Lewis, John Forte, Rachel Ehrlich, Astri Baillie, George Limbach and Peter Flemming Excused: Ann Huber, Steve Tombalakian and Susan Blickstein, Board Planner Also Present: Frank Russo, Assistant Borough Engineer Vince Loughlin, Planning Board Attorney Frances Boardman, Board Secretary Approval of Minutes: Copies of the minutes of the January 16, 2018 re-organization and regular meeting were distributed to all Board members for their review prior to this meeting. A motion to approve the re-organization and regular minutes as presented was made by Ms. Baillie, seconded by Mr. Lewis. The following role call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mayor Conley, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Forte, Ms. Ehrlich, Mr. Lewis and Mr. Limbach Comments by the Public: Mr. Forte 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 – CASE NO. P 18-001 Concept Review Fairleigh Dickinson University 285 Madison Avenue Block: 101, Lot: 6 Mr. Timothy Prime, Esq. representing the applicant began by giving a brief description of this evening’s meeting. Fairleigh Dickinson University is before the Board with a mere concept review for items that the University is looking to carry out in phases with formal applications to this Board at a future date. Mr. Prime called his first witness. Mr. Richard Frick, 1000 River Road, Teaneck, New Jersey 07666 was sworn in. Mr. Frick stated that he is Vice President for Facilities and Auxiliary Services for Fairleigh Dickinson University. He stated his credential and was accepted as an expert witness. Mr. Frick began by giving a detailed account of the existing conditions of the fields presently used by the University; these fields include the baseball field and the women’s soccer field along Madison Avenue. At present these fields are not by any means proper NCAA regulated. Parking is haphazard and the pedestrian and vehicular traffic do not have a suitable flow. Fairleigh Dickinson University has a competitive student market which they would like to retain and recruit additional students. Currently there is no track and field team at the University but by adding a new field this would allow them 1 Planning Board February 6, 2018 to provide this sport to the student body. The University would like to develop the perimeter image along Madison Avenue with these improvements. Given the substandard fields the improvements would allow the University to host Conference events. The University is considering a lighting system on the new multipurpose field down the road. Ms. Baillie asked about the other campus’s that Fairleigh Dickinson has in Teaneck and Hackensack. Mr. Frick explained that the Florham Park-Madison campus is a Division III athletic program, while Teaneck and Hackensack are Division I. The Florham Park- Madison campus is looking to strengthen its Division III program. Mr. Frick stated that the University is looking to improve what is currently on site and not create any new fields. He also stated that there would be no significant increase in the use of the fields. Mr. Fleming inquired if there would be adequate parking on site for these fields. Mr. Frick explained that he had a clear understanding from the Athletic Director that it would be rare to have multiple games at the same time, so parking should not be a problem. The Mayor questioned the lighting being proposed. It was determined that lights would be designated for the multipurpose field which would be seen on the site plan when presented. Mr. Frick acknowledged that this multipurpose field would be used for men and women’s soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. The Mayor asked if any of these games would be played in the evening. Mr. Frick stated he could not answer that question. The Mayor inquired if these fields would be used on a year round basis. Mr. Frick stated that was a possibility. Mr. Forte asked if the Board or Professionals had any questions, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. He then opened the floor to the public for questions. Seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. Next to be sworn in was Jennifer Lee, Derck & Edson, 33 South Broad Street, Lititz, Pa. 17543. Ms. Lee is the senior project manager for this application and was accepted as an expert witness. Ms. Lee began by affirming what Mr. Frick and Mr. Prime had explained to the Board. The baseball field will be renovated creating a better playing surface, warning track, dugouts, bleachers and a press box. Color renderings of the existing conditions and the proposed improvements along Madison Avenue were displayed and represented what was given to the Board prior to this evenings meeting. The women’s soccer field along Madison Avenue which would now be the “Multipurpose Field” will have a synthetic turf, and track. It will be a regulation NCAA soccer field. The University will also be planning on building a main building that will house locker rooms, storage and a press box. A second building will be considered in the future which will have restrooms, concessions and additional storage. The parking shown is for all fields and is within proximity of all fields. A concept was shown of brick piers and signage along Madison Avenue, Ms. Lee stated that this is just a concept and has not yet been fully designed. These renovations will be coming to the Board in Phases. The Mayor stated that it will be a heavy lift for the lighting of the multipurpose field since it will back up to residents on Shadylawn Drive. Mr. Limbach inquired if a formal landscape plan will be submitted at some point. Ms. Lee stated that a formal landscape plan will be submitted with the site plan when ready to file. Mr. Flemming asked if the University would consider moving the exit near the baseball field more easterly. Since the exit is in such close proximity to a very narrow South Oak Court. Ms. Lee stated that they have no plan on moving this exit. Ms. Ehrlich acknowledged the bus stop in front of the site, and if they would consider extending the sidewalks along the frontage of the property. A question arose about the quality of the soil; Ms. Lee stated that soil testing will be done prior to the submission of the preliminary and final site plan. Ms. Lee had no further testimony. Mr. Forte asked if the Board or Professionals had any further questions, seeing none he closed that portion of the hearing. There was no public present so that portion was also closed. Mr. Prime stated he had no further witnesses and thanked the Board for allowing Fairleigh Dickinson to present their concept review this evening. 2 Planning Board February 6, 2018 OLD BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 17-007 Preliminary and Final Site Plan with Variances King’s Court Developers 174 Main Street Block: 2001, Lot: 18 At the request of the Applicant’s Attorney, this application will be carried to the February 20, 2018 agenda of the Planning Board without further notice. PLANNING DISCUSION – None CORRESPONDENCE – None Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Forte asked for a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 8:15pm.; motion was made by Mayor Conley, seconded by Ms. Baillie. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all members present and carried. Respectfully submitted, Frances Boardman Board Secretary 3