Planning Board

DECEMBER 4TH, 2019 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES The City of Passaic Planning Board held a regular meeting on December 4th, 2019 in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 330 Passaic Street and opened the meeting at 7:35 p.m. by requesting a roll call. The invocation was given and all recited pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL: Present Absent Councilman Daniel Schwartz √ Shaun Witten √ Kenneth A. Simpson √ Edwin Perez √ Jessica Delacruz √ Sardis Cruz-Perez √ Carlos Lopez Alternate I √ Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- --- Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman √ Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair √ ALSO PRESENT: Louis P. Rago, Esq., Board Attorney ____√_______ Julio Santana, Zoning Officer ____√_______ Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director/ Board Planner ____√_______ BOARD CALENDAR Tentative Board Calendar for the year 2020 was presented to Board for approval. A motion was made to approve the 2020 Board Calendar by Commissioner Simpson, seconded by Commissioner Delacruz, on a roll call vote, all in favor, the motion carried. MINUTES: 1. Regular Meeting Minutes of July 24th, 2019 were presented by the Secretary for approval. A motion to approve the minutes of July 24th, 2019 was made by Commissioner Delacruz, seconded by Commissioner Perez, on a roll call vote, all in favor, the motion passed. 2. Regular Meeting Minutes of September 11th, 2019 were presented by the Secretary for approval. A motion to approve the minutes of September 11th, 2019 was made by Commissioner Witten, seconded by Councilman Schwartz, on a roll call vote, all in favor, the motion passed. APPLICATIONS: 1. Recommendation for Area in Need of Redevelopment/Rehabilitation according to the criteria set forth in section 5 of P.L. 1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-5) for the following properties: 1|P a g e DECEMBER 4TH, 2019 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES a. Block #2144, Lot #1 (559 Main Avenue) Item #1 of the agenda was read in the record. Mr. Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director was sworn into the record. He presented the AINOR Investigative Report as listed in the agenda. Councilman Schwartz had questions for Mr. Fernandez. Chairwoman Colon-Montañez opened the public portion of the hearing. A motion to close public portion of the Recommendation for AINOR hearing 559 Main Avenue, was made by Councilman Schwartz seconded by Commissioner Delacruz, on a roll call vote, six (6) in favor, one (1) abstained, the motion passed. A motion to recommend AINOR for 599 Main Avenue, was made by Commissioner Delacruz seconded by Commissioner Lopez, on a roll call vote, six (6) in favor, one (1) abstained, the motion passed. Resolution Recommending Area in Need of Redevelopment/Rehabilitation according to the criteria set forth in section 5 of P.L. 1992, c.79 (C.40A:12A-5) for the following properties: b. Block #2144, Lot #1 (559 Main Avenue) A motion to approve the Resolution for the Recommendation for Area in Need of Redevelopment for the Recommendation of AINOR 559 Main Avenue was made by Commissioner Witten, seconded by Commissioner Delacruz, on a roll call vote, all in favor, the motion passed. 2. Docket #PB19-13, 26 Wall Street, Block #1017, Lot #1 in the CR-HD Zone, applicant Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church is requesting preliminary & final site approval to amend their site plan in order for them to remove a three car garage and relocating it closer to the building. The proposed relocation will add twenty-one (21) more parking spaces to their property, and any other variances and/or waivers that may be required. FIRST APPEARANCE Item #2 of the agenda was read in the record. Mr. Joel Miklacki, Attorney for the applicant was present at the hearing. Madam Chair had a question for the applicant. Mr. Thomas G. Sterns, Licensed Engineer of Garfield, NJ was sworn into the record. Mr. Sterns presented his qualifications to the Board. The Board accepted his qualifications. Mr. Sterns continued with his testimony. Mr. Sterns described the property and the surrounding area. Commissioner Simpson had questions and comments for Mr. Sterns. 2|P a g e DECEMBER 4TH, 2019 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES L.Rago, Board Attorney asked how many existing parking spaces the property has. R.Fernandez, Interim Board Planner had comments for the Board regarding the parking in the property. Reverend Stefan Las, Pastor of Holy Rosary RC Church was sworn into the record. L.Rago, Board Attorney had questions for Father Las on the amount of parking spaces currently on-site. They’re going from 35 to 56 parking spaces. Commissioner Lopez had questions for Father Las. Commissioner Simpson had additional questions. L.Rago, Board Attorney had additional comments for the applicant. R.Fernandez, Interim Board Planner had comments and expressed his concern on the aisle width of parking spaces. Councilman Schwartz had questions for Mr. Fernandez. Father Las had additional comments regarding the application and proposed parking spaces. R.Fernandez, Interim Board Planner had additional comments. Commissioner Simpson had additional questions for Mr. Sterns. Commissioner Witten had questions about replacing the landscaping on the property that’s being removed to add parking. L.Rago, Board Attorney asked Mr. Sterns for further clarification on their recommendation on aisle widths. R.Fernandez, Interim Board Planner described how he’s witnessed the moving traffic coming out of the parking spaces and lot. Chairwoman Colon-Montañez opened the public portion of the hearing. Joe Conoscenti, 170 Broadway had questions for the applicant. A motion to close public portion of the 26 Wall Street hearing, was made by Councilman Schwartz, seconded by Commissioner Delacruz, on a roll call vote, all in favor, the motion passed. Board imposed the following conditions: 3|P a g e DECEMBER 4TH, 2019 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES 1. Space 11 & 15 to be removed. 2. Three (3) New Street Trees along Wall Street 3. Revised Site Plan to be submitted A motion to direct Board Attorney to draft a favorable Resolution and adjourn application of 26 Wall Street to January 8, 2020, was made by Commissioner Delacruz, seconded by Councilman Schwartz, on a roll call vote, all in favor, the motion passed. ESCROW CLOSEOUTS: NONE RESOLUTIONS: 1. Resolution awarding Contract for Planning Board Attorney to Louis P. Rago for the fiscal year January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. A motion was made to approve Resolution awarding Planning Board Attorney Contract to Louis P. Rago, Esq by Commissioner Perez, seconded by Commissioner Delacruz, on a roll call vote, all in favor, the motion carried. 2. Resolution awarding Contract for Board Planner to Plan 2 Consultants for the fiscal January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. A motion was made to approve Resolution awarding Board Planner Contract to Plan 2 Consultants by Councilman Schwartz, seconded by Commissioner Delacruz, on a roll call vote, all in favor, the motion carried. ADJOURNMENT: Upon motion, seconded and carried, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 8:49 p.m. ________________________________ Miriam R. Perez, Board Secretary Municipal Land Use Law 4|P a g e DECEMBER 4TH, 2019 CITY OF PASSAIC PLANNING BOARD VOTE SHEET VOTING ON ACTIONS: 1. ACTION: __Motion to approve Board Calendar for Calendar year 2020 COMMISSIONER PRESENT/ 1ST 2ND APPROVE DENY ABSTAIN ABSENT Shaun Witten Present  Edwin Perez Present  Jessica Delacruz Present   Kenneth A. Simpson Present   Sardis Cruz-Perez Absent Vacancy --- Carlos Lopez Alternate I Present  Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- Councilman Daniel Schwartz Present Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman Absent  Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair Present  2. ACTION: Motion to close public portion of Recommendation of AINOR 559 Main Ave hearing COMMISSIONER PRESENT/ 1ST 2ND APPROVE DENY ABSTAIN ABSENT Shaun Witten Present  Edwin Perez Present  Jessica Delacruz Present   Kenneth A. Simpson Present Sardis Cruz-Perez Absent Vacancy --- Carlos Lopez Alternate I Present  Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- Councilman Daniel Schwartz Present   Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman Absent Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair Present  3. ACTION: __ Motion to recommend AINOR 559 Main Avenue COMMISSIONER PRESENT/ 1ST 2ND APPROVE DENY ABSTAIN ABSENT Shaun Witten Present  Edwin Perez Present  Jessica Delacruz Present   Kenneth A. Simpson Present  Sardis Cruz-Perez Absent Vacancy --- Carlos Lopez Alternate I Present  Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- Councilman Daniel Schwartz Present  Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman Absent Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair Present  1|P age DECEMBER 4TH, 2019 CITY OF PASSAIC PLANNING BOARD VOTE SHEET 4. ACTION: __Motion to approve Resolution recommending AINOR – 559 Main Avenue COMMISSIONER PRESENT/ 1ST 2ND APPROVE DENY ABSTAIN ABSENT Shaun Witten Present   Edwin Perez Present  Jessica Delacruz Present   Kenneth A. Simpson Present Sardis Cruz-Perez Absent Vacancy --- Carlos Lopez Alternate I Present  Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- Councilman Daniel Schwartz Present  Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman Absent Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair Present  5. ACTION: __Motion to direct Board Attorney to draft a Resolution in favor and adjourn the application of 26 Wall Street to January 8th, 2020 COMMISSIONER PRESENT/ 1ST 2ND APPROVE DENY ABSTAIN ABSENT Shaun Witten Present  Edwin Perez Present  Jessica Delacruz Present   Kenneth A. Simpson Present  Sardis Cruz-Perez Absent Vacancy --- Carlos Lopez Alternate I Present  Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- Councilman Daniel Schwartz Present   Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman Absent Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair Present  6. ACTION: __Motion to approve Minutes of July 24th Meeting COMMISSIONER PRESENT/ 1ST 2ND APPROVE DENY ABSTAIN ABSENT Shaun Witten Present Edwin Perez Present   Jessica Delacruz Present   Kenneth A. Simpson Present  Sardis Cruz-Perez Absent Vacancy --- Carlos Lopez Alternate I Present Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- Councilman Daniel Schwartz Present  Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman Absent Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair Present  2|P age DECEMBER 4TH, 2019 CITY OF PASSAIC PLANNING BOARD VOTE SHEET 7. ACTION: __Motion to approve Minutes of September 11th Meeting COMMISSIONER PRESENT/ 1ST 2ND APPROVE DENY ABSTAIN ABSENT Shaun Witten Present   Edwin Perez Present Jessica Delacruz Present  Kenneth A. Simpson Present Sardis Cruz-Perez Absent Vacancy --- Carlos Lopez Alternate I Present  Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- Councilman Daniel Schwartz Present   Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman Absent Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair Present 8. ACTION: __Motion to approve Board Attorney Contract Resolution for Calendar Year 2020 COMMISSIONER PRESENT/ 1ST 2ND APPROVE DENY ABSTAIN ABSENT Shaun Witten Present  Edwin Perez Present   Jessica Delacruz Present   Kenneth A. Simpson Present  Sardis Cruz-Perez Absent Vacancy --- Carlos Lopez Alternate I Present  Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- Councilman Daniel Schwartz Present  Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman Absent Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair Present  9. ACTION: __Motion to approve Board Planner Contract Resolution for Calendar Year 2020 COMMISSIONER PRESENT/ 1ST 2ND APPROVE DENY ABSTAIN ABSENT Shaun Witten Present  Edwin Perez Present  Jessica Delacruz Present   Kenneth A. Simpson Present  Sardis Cruz-Perez Absent Vacancy --- Carlos Lopez Alternate I Present Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- Councilman Daniel Schwartz Present  Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman Absent Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair Present 3|P age DECEMBER 4TH, 2019 CITY OF PASSAIC PLANNING BOARD VOTE SHEET 10. ACTION: _ _____ Motion to adjourn meeting _______________ COMMISSIONER PRESENT/ 1ST 2ND APPROVE DENY ABSTAIN ABSENT Shaun Witten Present  Edwin Perez Present  Jessica Delacruz Present   Kenneth A. Simpson Present  Sardis Cruz-Perez Absent Vacancy --- Carlos Lopez Alternate I Present  Peter T. Rosario Alternate II --- Councilman Daniel Schwartz Present   Jose A. Vargas Vice Chairman Absent Maritza Colon-Montañez Madam Chair Present  4|P age