Planning Board

1 MINUTES BOROUGH OF MADISON PLANNING BOARD Regular (Virtual Zoom) Meeting, March 4, 2025, at 7:30 P.M., Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, 50 Kings Road, Madison, New Jersey. 1. CALL TO ORDER BY CHAIRWOMAN ASTRI BAILLIE at 7:35 pm 2. ANNOUNCEMENT OF NOTICE (STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE) 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 14, 2025, the Board by Resolution adopted a schedule of meetings. On January 15, 2025, a copy of the schedule of meetings was posted at the bulletin board at the main entrance of the Hartley Dodge Memorial Building, 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. 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. 3. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Mrs. Baillie, Mr. Range (arrived at 7:45 pm), Mr. Fleming, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Vitale, Ms. Huber, Mr. Limbach, Ms. Coyle, Mayor Conley EXCUSED: ALSO PRESENT: Vince Loughlin Board Attorney Susan Favate, Board Planner Dennis Harrington, Board Engineer Bonnie Mulcahy, Board Secretary 4. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 5. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL – February 18, 2025 A motion to approve was made by Mrs. Vitale and seconded by Ms. Coyle, A voice vote of “Aye” was heard of all members and recorded. 6. Public Comment: None 7. RESOLUTIONS FOR MEMORIALIZATION – None PB Regular Meeting 03-04-2025  2 8. OLD BUSINESS – CASE NO. P 24-002 Preliminary and Final Site Plan SL 98 Main Street, LLC 98 Main Street Block: 1802, Lot: 11 This application has been heard on February 4, 2025, and February 18, 2025, meetings. Four exhibits were introduced. Exhibit A7 – Blowup of Project Site focusing on Drive Thru, Handicapped Parking Spot and Refuse Area, dated 02/28/2025. Exhibit A8 – Drop off Area Modification Plan dated 02/28/2025. Exhibit A9 – Revised Architectural plans dated 03/03/2025 Exhibit A10 – New Rendering of proposed building facing southwest dated 3/03/2025 Mr. Michael Lanzafama, engineer for the applicant, provided testimony regarding the trash plan, handicapped parking for the bank customers, delivery access area in front of building for occupants and the signage plan. The Board questioned the Drive Thru plan and the access for emergency vehicles. Mr. Fleming suggested the Drive Thru be 1 lane instead of 2. Additionally, EV parking was discussed. The Board questioned the concept of a monument sign for this application and said it does not fit in with the streetscape. No Public comment for Mr. Lanzafama. Five-minute break was taken at 8:48 pm. Mr. Robert Waldron, architect for applicant, provided testimony on revised architectural plans. Some details provided included the garage door would be widened to 22 feet, appliances would be electric except for cooking ranges and the siding would be changed from white to grey. No Public comment for Mr. Waldron Mr. Gary Dean, traffic expert for applicant, provided testimony. Some details discussed the impact of traffic circulation, access, and parking changes. The proposal aims to maintain net-neutral traffic levels by replacing commercial office space with residential units. The updated plan now includes 22 parking spaces, including a handicap-accessible spot. Cited reference to various studies in comparable urban locations (e.g., Morristown, Montclair, South Orange, Metuchen) which support a parking ratio of approximately 1.2 spaces per unit. Confirmed that a 12-foot clearance under the canopy allows fire truck movement. Mr. Harold Maltz, traffic engineer for the Board, made brief comments on his analysis. Mr. Maltz questioned the shared parking analysis. Mrs. Susan Favate, Planner for the Board, explained that a resolution exists with the Board of Adjustment regarding bank parking usage for the public after bank hours. Board members raised concerns about this restriction. Additional verification will be sought regarding fire access clearance. Renderings will be updated to reflect any additional design refinements (signage). Discussion with utility companies will continue regarding equipment placement constraints. The applicant will consider aesthetic enhancements for planters and fencing elements. The application will be adjourned until April 1, 2025, at 7:30 pm with no further notice required PB Regular Meeting 03-04-2025  3 9. NEW BUSINESS – CASE NO. P24-005 Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval and Waiver Ramnarayan Management LLC 3-5 Community Place Block: 1502, Lot 3 Carried until March 18, 2025, Meeting. No new noticing required. 11. CORRESPONDENCE – None 12. ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 pm with a motion made by Mayor Conley and seconded by Mr. Limbach. Respectfully submitted, Bonnie J Mulcahy Board Secretary PB Regular Meeting 03-04-2025