Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING OCTOBER 20, 2020 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 20th day of October 2020 at 7:30 P.M., via a Zoom electronic meeting. The meeting was called to order by Planning Board Chairman, Mr. Steve Tombalakian. Mr. Tombalakian requested the reading of the Public Meeting Notice. Ms. Blickstein 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 21, 2020, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 22, 2020, 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: Astri Baillie, Mayor Conley, John Forte, Peter Flemming, Alfredo Garibay, Ann Huber, Tom Harris, George Limbach, and Steve Tombalakian, Excused: None 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 September 15, 2020 regular meeting were distributed to all Board members for their review prior to this meeting. A motion to approve the minutes as revised was made by Ms. Baillie, seconded by Mr. Flemming. 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 that was not on this evening’s agenda. Seeing none, that portion of the meeting was closed. RESOLUTIONS FOR MEMORIALIZATION – None NEW BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 17-013 Hours of Operation Amendment to Resolution General Zod, LLC 145 Main Street Block: 2601, Lot: 18 Mr. Loughlin provided the Board with a brief summary of the request. Mr. Michael Dey and his sister, Ms. Lauren Dey were available this evening for testimony regarding this request. Michael Dey and Lauren Dey, 145 Main Street, Madison were sworn in. Mr. Dey Mr. Dey provided a brief summation of the request of the additional hours in the morning of the operation. Ms. Dey will sublease a portion of the site for a donut shop. The business model was discussed; there will be no employees other than Ms. Dey and advanced orders will be accepted only. There will no no signage for this subleased business. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board and Professionals if they had any questions for Mr. or Ms. Dey, seeing none that portion of the meeting was closed. The meeting was then opened to the public since there was no member of the public that wished to ask a question or comment on the application that portion of the meeting was closed. A motion to approve the Donut operation to share the space at 145 Main Street with an earlier opening time of 6:00am was made by Mayor Conley, seconded by Mr. Forte. The following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mayor Conley, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Forte, Mr. Garibay, Ms. Huber, Mr. Harris, Mr. Limbach and Mr. Tombalakian. “Nays” - None “Abstain” - None OLD BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 20-003 Preliminary & Final Site Plan with Variances Park Valley Madison, LLC 4 Community Place Block: 1501, Lot: 4 Mr. Malman provided a summary of the changes made to the application. Mr. Malman stated that he would be recalling two witnesses that were heard at the last meeting and previously sworn in Mr. Chuck Stewart and Mr. Avelino Martinez. Also testifying this evening would be the Planner, Mr. Paul Phillips. Mr. Stewart began his testimony and explained the proposed changes on the site plan as shown on the screen. The garage circulation was modified with one-way flow from Community Place. The parking spaces were reduced to 32 spaces, the curb cuts on Community Place were also reduced. The applicant has revised the Streetscape, Landscaping and Lighting plans to respond to comments made by the Board at the last meeting. It was discussed at length that the circulation would be better with the entrance of the building closer to Park Avenue and the exit closer to Cook Avenue creating a better ingress and egress of the subject property. Other changes made to the site plan were discussed. The strip along Cook Avenue has been changed to provide landscaping. The proposed plantings were discussed with Mr. George Limbach who made suggestions as to the varieties to be used on the plan. Mr. Malman stated that the applicant was open to any planting suggestions from the Board and would comply. Mr. Stewart stated that the bicycle rack in the rear of the site has been eliminated and that a bicycle storage area is now located in the basement of the building. The lighting revisions were discussed and it was noted that six decorative lights would be added and that there would be no spillage on neighboring properties. The LED intensity of the lights was discussed and Mr. Stewart stated that he would look at the bulb intensity. It was stated that the site would not be hooked up to the Municipal Street lights but it was suggested that additional conduit be provided on the site so that when other areas are developed the applicant would be able to connect. Up until that time, the applicant would be responsible for the powering of the poles. It was stated that this would be a part of the Developers Agreement if approved. Mr. Loughlin stated that there would be an Affordable Housing component as well. Mr. Stewart provided testimony on the grading plan. Mr. Garibay questioned sidewalk safety. Mr. Malman stated that this issue would be addressed by the architect. The applicant has no objections to the reports provided by Dr. Blickstein, dated, October 17, 2020 and Mr. Russo’s dated October 18, 2020 and will be complied with. Mr. Stewart concluded his testimony, Mr. Tombalakian asked if the Board of its professionals had any further questions for Mr. Stewart. Seeing none, that portion of the meeting was opened to the public. Seeing no questions from the public for Mr. Stewart that portion of the meeting was closed. Mr. Martinez still remaining under oath began his testimony. Marked into evidence at this time was: Exhibit A-2: Revised Elevations Mr. Martinez stated that very little had changed on the architecture. The primary change is that the overhead doors have gotten smaller. Two light fixtures with brick detail were added to accentuate the Community Place facade. The garage doors will have a warning beacon as a visual notification to pedestrians and cars. Mr. Russo questioned the signage proposed for the commercial tenant. The revised plan shows a square six-foot sign. Mr. Malman stated that a tenant had not been signed for this commercial space as of yet and if additional signage was to be requested it would be the responsibility of the tenant to seek a variance. Dr. Blickstein suggested that the applicant identify the sign areas so that the locations and the dimensions work with the design of the building. Mr. Martinez discussed the floor plans next; it was shown that two storage units had been eliminated in the basement so that the bicycle storage could be added. The bicycle storage unit would be 12’.6” x 11’.4”. The west side of the building has the addition of six windows. The three-bedroom unit will be the affordable housing contribution. Each dwelling unit would have a washer and a dryer. Mr. Loughlin stated there would be a provision in the resolution stating that there would be no satellite dishes or cell towers allowed on the building. He also stated that if these units were to be sold as condominiums a Master Deed would need to be reviewed. Mr. Malman stated that the applicant stated that this project is purely a rental site. The pitched roof does not allow for HVAC equipment on it. Dr. Blickstein made a comment regarding the six foot fence running along the entire property. Making sure that the Board was aware that the fence would run along the Cook Avenue frontage and wrap all the way along. Mr. Malman asked Mr. Stewart to put back up the site plan in order for the Board to get a visual understanding of the fence. Dr. Blickstein asked if the applicant would be acceptable to a four-foot fence in the corner and around the transformer transitioning to a six-foot fence. Mr. Malman stated that if the Board looks favorably on the application the applicant is acceptable to these changes and Dr. Blickstein’s review of the fencing details. Mr. Flemming questioned the trash disposal and how tenants would likely dispose of their trash and recycling. Mr. Martinez stated that each floor would have its own trash room with two shoots that the trash and recycling would be separated into. Mr. Martinez stated that the garbage and recycling dumpsters would be on wheels and wheeled out to the curb for hauler pickup. Hauler pickup would occur two to three times a week. Mr. Flemming asked about the underground storage tank and if it was to be removed or abandoned. Mr. Stewart stated that the tank is to be removed. Mr. Tombalakian opened the hearing for questions from the public regarding the testimony of Mr. Martinez regarding the revised architecture. Seeing none, that portion of the hearing was closed. Mr. Paul Phillips, 33-41 Newark Street, Hoboken, NJ was sworn in to testify. Mr. Tombalakian stated that Mr. Phillips has testified before the Board previously and accepted as an expert witness. Mr. Phillips provided a run-down of the variances the applicant is seeking and the justification in granting the variances. He stated that the rear yard setback was modest, the parking was adequate to serve the project, and the tandem-parking request is not unusual in a Central Business District. Mr. Phillips stated that the variances have no substantial detriment to the public good or impairment to the Zoning plan and ordinances. Mr. Tombalakian asked the Board and Professionals if they had any questions for Mr. Phillips, seeing none the meeting was then opened to the public for questions of Mr. Phillips. Seeing none Mr. Tombalakian closed that portion of the hearing. Mr. Malman provided a summation of the hearing to the Board. Mr. Tombalakian opened the meeting to any member of the public that would like to offer comment on the application, seeing none that portion of the hearing was closed. Mr. Loughlin provided an outline of the conditions that would be included in the resolution if the Board were to look favorably on this application. Motion to approve the application was made by Mayor Conley, seconded by Mr. Forte; the following roll call was recorded: “Ayes” – Mayor Conley, Ms. Baillie, Mr. Flemming, Mr. Forte, Mr. Garibay, Mr. Harris, Ms. Huber, Mr. Limbach and Mr. Tombalakian “Nays” – None “Abstain” – None PLANNING DISCUSSION – None CORRESPONDENCE – None Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Mr. Tombalakian asked for a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:00 pm.; seconded by Mr. Flemming. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all members present and carried. Respectfully submitted, Fran Boardman, Board Secretary