Planning Board

MINUTES PLANNING BOARD OF THE BOROUGH OF MADISON REGULAR VIRTUAL MEETING AUGUST 1, 2023 A regular meeting of the Planning Board of the Borough of Madison was held on the 1st day of August 2023, at 7:30 P.M., via a Zoom electronic meeting. The meeting was called to order by Planning Board Chairwoman, Ms. Astri Baillie. Ms. Baillie requested the reading of the Public Meeting Notice. Mr. Harrington 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, 2023, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 18, 2023, a copy of the schedule of meetings was 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”. Beginning in April 2020, in response to public safety considerations and legal authorization, the Planning Board began conducting its monthly meetings on the previously noticed dates remotely using the Zoom platform, and subsequently separate notices have been published each month advising of this change and indicating that the procedures and requirements for monitoring such meetings and for making public comment, along with an explanation of the audio muting function of the electronic communications platform being utilized, is provided with detailed information on “How to Use Zoom and Participate” found on the Rosenet Webpage Communications / Virtual Meetings at HTTP://www.rosenet.org/1273/Virtual- Meetings. The following roll call was recorded: Present: Astri Baillie, Mayor Conley, Eric Range, Peter Flemming, Carmela Vitale, Ann Huber, Melissa Honohan, George Limbach, John Morris Excused: Absent: None Also Present: Vince Loughlin, Planning Board Attorney Susan Blickstein, Board Planner Dennis Harrington, Board Engineer Approval of Minutes: None Comments by the Public: Ms. Baillie opened the floor to the public for anyone that wishing 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 – CASE NO. P 21-006 Preliminary & Final Site Plan with Variances 66 Main, LLC 66 Main Street and 3 Central Avenue Block: 1802, Lot: 4 The adoption of this resolution was carried to the meeting of August 15, 2023 at the request of the Applicant’s Attorney Mr. Azzolini. Motion to carry the adoption of the resolution was moved by Mr. Range, seconded by Ms. Honohan. The motion passed unanimously. OLD BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 22-008 Preliminary and Final Site Plan with Variances 15 Prospect, LLC 13 and 15 Prospect Street Block: 2702, Lots: 19 & 20 Application was carried to the meeting of August 15, 2023. No further notice necessary. Chair Baillie adjusted the agenda to hear a presentation by Board Planner Dr. Blickstein. Planning Discussion Board Planner Dr. Blickstein reviewed her memorandum regarding proposed changes to section 195.32 of the Borough Code. The memorandum included recommendations on parking on the ground floor, residential uses and the maximum height of buildings and the number of stories. Chair Baillie opened the meeting to the public for comment. There was no comment. CASE NO. P 22-004 Preliminary and Final Site Plan with Variances Ledan Holdings, LLC 5 Central Avenue Block: 1802, Lot: 3 This application was moved to later on the agenda. NEW BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 22-006 Minor Subdivision with Variances H Bros, LLC 133 Green Village Road Block: 3404, Lot: 28 Chair Ballie announced three members are recusing themselves from hearing this application. Mayor Conley, Mr. Range and Mr. Flemming are recused. Mr. Coviello, the Applicant’s Attorney introduced the application and reviewed the requested variances. Mr. Harrington reviewed the exhibits. Mr. Coviello added 2 exhibits for the Applicant. Mr. Coviello then introduced the project Architect, Kimberly Tone. Ms. Tone was sworn in and accepted as an expert witness. Ms. Tone shared her screen and reviewed the architectural plans, pointing out there have been significant changes following the Technical Coordinating Committee meeting. The originally proposed attached front loading garages have been changed to detached garages. Both proposed dwellings will be designed to support future solar panels. Ms. Tone reviewed the proposed materials for each house. She indicated both garages will be made EV ready. Ms. Tone reviewed the energy conservation features to be included in the houses. Ms. Blickstein requested testimony on the proposed materials, which Ms. Tone provided. There was a discussion on heating systems, heat pumps and energy efficiency. Ms. Tone indicated the new energy codes are much more stringent. Mr. Harrington asked if consideration was given to heat pumps. Ms. Tone said not at this time. Will use high efficiency gas fired. Ms. Huber expressed disagreement with not using heat pumps in light of the more stringent insulation requirements. Mr. Lloyd was sworn in. The Applicant agreed to install provisions to utilize heat pumps in the future. Mr. Lloyd also agreed to install conduit for solar panel and other future technology. Mr. Limbach questioned the landscaping plan and tree replacement. Mr. Coviello agreed to work with the Borough Arborist, and other Borough representatives on tree removal and replacement. The Public was invited to question the witness. Mr. Gordon Lewis of 2 Glenwild Circle asked whether a traffic study was performed. Mr. Loughlin responded that questioning should be on the testimony just presented. Mr. Coviello introduced Mr. Ryan Smith, P.E. who was sworn in and accepted as an expert in Engineering. Mr. Smith shared his screen and presented the site plans. Mr. Smith agreed to provide stormwater management for the proposed detached garages. A tree removal plan was reviewed. Mr. Smith reviewed the memorandum from Board Engineer Harrington. Mr. Coviello mentioned the requirement in Dr. Blickstein’s memo that sidewalk be replaced. Ms. Blickstein questioned the coverage calculations using brick pavers in the driveways. Mr. Limbach questioned the lack of a landscape plan and tree replacements. Mr. Smith discussed replacements and working with the Borough arborist. Mr. Loughlin represented a condition of approval would cover tree replacement. There was a discussion on the replacement trees and species. Chair Baillie opened the meeting to questions from the public. Mr. Corey Roffelsen, 131 Green Village Road expressed concerns on stormwater management and runoff. He has concerns about the overflow being directed toward his property. Mr. Smith explained the stormwater management system. A five minute break was taken at 9:35. Chair Baillie asked Mr. Azzolini to carry the application for 5 Central to the meeting next meeting. Mr. Azzolini mentioned several conflicts in scheduling. The hearing was carried to the meeting of September 5, with no further notice. Mr. Coviello introduced Mr. Paul Ricci as a professional planner. Mr. Ricci was accepted as an expert in planning. Mr. Ricci provided planning testimony and justification for the requested variances. Chair Baillie asked for questions from the Board and professionals. There were none. She then opened the meeting for questions and comments from the public. Ms. MaryAnn Martuccio, 131 Green Village Road commented on the value of the existing trees in stormwater management. Mr. Roffelsen reiterated his concerns on tree removal and the impact on stormwater management. Chair Baillie asked Mr. Coviello for a summary. The Board then deliberated on the application. Members expressed satisfaction with the application. Mr. Loughlin reviewed the conditions to be included in an approving resolution. Chair Baillie asked for a motion to approve with conditions. Ms. Vitale moved for approval, which was seconded by Mr. Limbach. The motion was approved unanimously. Since there was no further business to come before the Board, Ms. Baillie asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 pm. this motion was moved by Ms. Huber, seconded by Mr. Limbach. A voice vote of “aye” was heard by all members present and carried. Respectfully submitted, Dennis Harrington, Acting Board Secretary