Planning Board

April 10, 2024 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES The City of Passaic Planning Board held a virtual meeting on April 10, 2024, via Zoom and opened the meeting at approximately 6:35 PM by requesting a roll call. The invocation was given and all recited the pledge of allegiance. ROLL CALL: Commissioners Present Absent Councilman Daniel Schwartz X Kenneth A. Simpson X Sardis Cruz-Perez X Bonnita Kelawon-Cuello X Shawn Witten Vice Chairman X Carlos Lopez Chairman X ALSO PRESENT: Louis P. Rago, Esq., Board Attorney _____X_____ David Troast, P.P., AICP, Board Planner _____X_____ Julio Santana, Zoning Officer _____X_____ Ricardo Fernandez, Executive Director ___ _X_____ I. Hearing of Citizens: For matters not regarding applications on the agenda  The public hearing of citizens was made open for matters not on the agenda.  There were no questions or comments from the public.  Upon first motion by Councilman Schwartz and second by Vice Chairman Witten, the public hearing of citizens was closed. II. New Business 1. Redevelopment Plan Block 4099, Lots 21, 24, and 26 known as 206, 212, and 216 President Street  Executive Director, Ricardo Fernandez presented the Redevelopment Plan, providing information on the parking requirements, total number of residential units, and affordable residential units  Councilman Schwartz asked a question  Mr. Fernandez responded. Action to approve the Redevelopment Plan was moved by Vice Chairman Witten and seconded by Commissioner Simpson. Councilman Commissioner Commissioner Vice Chairman Chairman Schwartz Simpson Cuello Witten Lopez X X X X X 2. Preliminary Investigation for Determination of Area in Need of Rehabilitation: Block 3265, Lot(s) 31 & 34 known as 112 Van Houten Avenue & 213-225 Main Avenue 1|P a g e  April 10, 2024 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES  Executive Director, Ricardo Fernandez asked to carry the presentation to the June 5th, 2024 Planning Board Meeting. Action to approve moved by Councilman Schwartz and second by Chairman Lopez. Councilman Commissioner Commissioner Vice Chairman Chairman Schwartz Simpson Cuello Witten Lopez X X X X X III. Applications 1. Resolution Extension Request for Docket #PB22-12, 61 Willet Street, Block 3245.03, Lot 10, Applicant Walbri Properties, LLC  The applicant’s attorney Gary E. Cohen gave a brief introduction and reason for extension.  Board Attorney, Louis Rago stated the application approval still has an additional year before it expires.  Mr. Cohen rescinded his request for extension. There was no need for a vote. 2. Resolution Extension Request for Docket #PB20-02, 55 Highland Avenue, Block 4060, Lot 28, Applicant C. Realty, LLC  Applicant’s attorney Gary E. Cohen gave a brief introduction and reason for extension.  Board Attorney, Louis Rago, provided an extension to March 2nd, 2025. Action to approve extension request was moved by Vice Chairman Witten and seconded by Commissioner Cuello Councilman Commissioner Commissioner Vice Chairman Chairman Schwartz Simpson Cuello Witten Lopez X X X X X *Board went into break at 7:27pm* *Board reconvened at 7:37pm* *Commissioner Edwin Perez joined 7:37pm* 3. Docket #PB24-02, 132-158 River Drive, Block 2137, Lot(s) 30, in the C-R Zone  Applicant’s attorney David Shafkowitz was called upon and provided a brief introduced of the proposed project. Applicant requested for preliminary and final site plan approval  Michael Galante was called upon by Mr. Shafkowitz as a professional Engineer o Mr. Galante reviewed propsed plan which included drainage improvements, ADA improvements, lighting plan, and landscaping plan. o There were no questions from the Board or public  Sanjay Patel, was called upon by Mr. Shafkowitz as the Operational Manager and provided information on the business o Board Attorney asked Mr. Patel a questioned o Mr. Patel responded  Michael Galante provided a rendering of the new proposed building o Rendering was marked as Exhibit A1  No comments from the Board and Public 2|P a g e  April 10, 2024 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES Action to approve application was moved by Vice Chairman Witten and seconded by Councilman Schwartz Councilman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Vice Chairman Chairman Schwartz Simpson Cuello Perez Witten Lopez X Abstain X X X X IV. Resolutions a. Memorialization of “Recommendation to the City of Passaic City Council Regarding the Adoption of the Redevelopment Plan as Prepared by Ricardo Fernandez and Attached Hereto” (Block 4062, Lots 36 & 39). Motion to approve Resolution was moved by Vice Chairman Witten and seconded by Commissioner Simpson Councilman Commissioner Commissioner Vice Chairman Chairman Schwartz Simpson Cuello Witten Lopez X X X X X b. Memorialization of “Recommendation Determining Block 4099, Lots 21, 24, and 26 is an Area in Need of Rehabilitation, and approving the Preliminary Investigation with Recommendation to the City Council to Proceed with the Determination of Rehabilitation and to Authorize the Rehabilitation Plan Preparation and Adoption”. Motion to approve Resolution was moved by Vice Chairman Witten and seconded by Commissioner Simpson Councilman Commissioner Commissioner Vice Chairman Chairman Schwartz Simpson Cuello Witten Lopez X X X X X c. Matter of “Ordinance Amending Chapter 317, “Zoning”, Article VIII (8) “Site Plan Approval”, adding Section 317-30 “affordable housing mandatory set-aside”’ Motion to approve Resolution was moved by Vice Chairman Witten and seconded by Commissioner Lopez Councilman Commissioner Commissioner Vice Chairman Chairman Schwartz Simpson Cuello Witten Lopez X X X X X 3|P a g e  April 10, 2024 PLANNING BOARD MINUTES d. Matter of “Ordinance Amending Chapter 317, “Zoning”, Article III (3) “definitions and word usage”, section 317-10 “definitions”, Article VI (6) “conditional uses”, Section 317-16 “all zones” and Article IV (4) “schedule of regulation”, Section 317-11 “adoption of schedule” of the City of Passaic code to permit accessory dwelling units in all zoning districts” Motion to approve Resolution was moved by Vice Chairman Witten and seconded by Commissioner Cuello Councilman Commissioner Commissioner Vice Chairman Chairman Schwartz Simpson Cuello Witten Lopez X X X X X e. Resolution Awarding Contract for Professional Engineering Services for the Planning Board Motion to approve Resolution was moved by Councilman Schwartz and seconded by Commissioner Simpson Councilman Commissioner Commissioner Vice Chairman Chairman Schwartz Simpson Cuello Witten Lopez X X X X X V. Adjournment Upon motion, seconded, the meeting was adjourned at approximately _8:10 PM_. A copy of said applications and documents are available on file with the Administrative Officer, Municipal Land Use Law, Passaic City Hall, Room 205, 330 Passaic Street, Passaic, NJ. Any interested party may inspect these records by calling and scheduling an inspection with the Passaic Planning Board Secretary at (973) 859-1344. Karen Correa Faro Karen Correa Faro, Board Secretary Municipal Land Use Law 4|P a g e