Plannng Board

City of Trenton Planning Board Regular Meeting Thursday, June 12, 2025 City Hall Members in Attendance: Charles Romanow, Chair Randy Baum, Vice Chair Caty Dominguez Anthony Santora Diana Walker Members Not in Attendance: Jonathan Conner Markus Green Jeff Halpern Joseph Harrison Staff and Board Professionals in Attendance: Massiel Ferrara, Supervising Planner Andrei Alexeev, Principal Planner Michael Herbert, Planning Board Attorney Cherry Oakley, Planning Board Secretary Michelle Taylor, Consultant Planner Joseph Gray, Consultant Engineer Aaron Schrager, Consultant Traffic Engineer PUBLIC HEARING The meeting was called to order at 7:11 PM by Mr. Romanow. The Open Public Meetings Act was announced and a quorum was verified. Approve meeting minutes of May 22, 2025. Member Aye Nay Ab- Motioned Seconded stain Charles Romanow X Randy Baum X Caty Dominguez X X Anthony Santora X Diana Walker X X Memorialize the following Resolutions: 1  1. 23-P-1201ES- 1201 E. State St. 2. 23-P-148ES- 148 E. State St. 3. 25-P-54MU- 54 Murray St. 4. 24-P-401DA: 401 Dayton St. Member Aye Nay Ab- Motioned Seconded stain Charles Romanow X Randy Baum X X Caty Dominguez X Anthony Santora X Diana Walker X X Mr. Romanow announced to the gallery that the recommendation to Trenton City Council: An ordinance repealing and replacing Article XV, “Historic District Regulations,” Chapter 315 of the City of Trenton Land Development Ordinance, and Section 2-71, “Landmarks Commission for Historic Preservation,” of Article XIV, Chapter 2 of the City of Trenton Administration Ordinance has been postponed until further notice. Case was called at 7:17 PM 24-P-12SANH – 2-12 Sanhican Dr. Applicant: 2 Sanhican Drive LLC Property Address: 2-12 Sanhican Dr. Block: 36603 Lot(s): 1 Redevelopment Area: N/A 2023 Zoning District: RM-1 Landmarks Historic Preservation District: N/A Project Description: The applicant is seeking Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval to change an existing vacant commercial space into five (5) new residential units. Mr. Gregory G. Johnson, Applicant’s introduced who he represented tonight. The following people were sworn in: Applicant’s Professionals: Larry Murphy of Green Site Engineering Ramone Azzona Managing Member of the LLC Board’s Professionals: Michelle Taylor, Planner Joseph Gray, Engineer Aaron Schrager, Traffic Engineer The following Exhibits were marked: Exhibit A1 Grading and Utility Plans Exhibit A2 Architectural Plans 2 Mr. Murphy was sworn in, presented his credentials, and was accepted as an expert in Engineering before this Board. He presented what was proposed in the application tonight. He stated that this historic site has security issues which has impacted its success. They are not proposing to change the footprint of the building. He described the planned residential units of housing, the existing apartments, their square footage, and the number of bedrooms. He requested an RSIS waiver for the 11.2 required onsite parking spaces as they are not planning to provide any additional parking spaces. He noted that Trenton’s ordinances do not require any parking. Trash for the existing apartments will be brought down to the curb by the residents. Mr. Murphy was not able to find a way to construct a trash enclosure. There will be roof-mounted or wall-mounted A/C Units in order to secure those climate control units. The Board indicated that the street trees should be planted 25’ apart to be consistent with what is on State Street and Sanhican Drive. The Applicant noted that this can be accommodated on Sanhican but on State Street it would be difficult to accomplish because the sidewalk is generally 7 ft. wide. A 3ft. section is needed for a tree to grow and with ADA requirements, the Applicant has concerns about the survivability of that tree. The Board indicated that if you increase the size of the concrete opening for the tree planted could support a tree’s growth. Mr. Baum described the other street tree planting project adjacent to this project and the Applicant agreed to the new expectation with flexibility for utilities and ADA requirements. The total number of units is 12 residential and 1 commercial. There is no availability for green Open Space to be provided, thus a fee will be required that cannot be waived. There is a full depressed curb on West State Street that will be fully repaired. The DNR Canal Commission will review the part of this project over which they have jurisdiction. The Applicant agreed to provide one bike rack. Mr. Murphy noted that there is sufficient parking on the street for customers of the commercial space. Mr. Murphy noted that they are likely going to have either window units for the A/C or through wall or roof mounted A/C units. If it will be roof-mounted, it will be set back a minimum of 5-6ft. to substantially screen the unit by line of sight. No additional lighting is proposed over and above what already exists. There will be no change in the signage that is already there. The Applicant agreed to provide a cost estimate to assist with the bonding numbers. Mr. Schrager agreed that there will be a de minimus impact on the traffic in this area. Mr. Romanow asked if there was anyone from the Public who wanted to speak for or against this project. Ms. Stephanie Robinson, a resident in the area, was sworn in. She stated that she was happy to hear that there will be a commercial/retail space in this area as it has needed this kind of activity in this area of the City. She stated that she would like to see more developments like this in Trenton. Mr. Romanow asked if there was anyone from the Public who wanted to speak for or against this application. With no answer from the gallery the following vote was set forth: Approve Preliminary and Final Site Plan along with the conditions of approval of the provision of the one bike rack that can be removed if it is goes unused for a year and it is damaged or vandalized; the sidewalk repaired and; with parking waiver for the RSIS parking standards. 3  Member Aye Nay Ab- Motioned Seconded stain Charles Romanow X Randy Baum X X Caty Dominguez X Anthony Santora X Diana Walker X X Case ended 8:01PM Case was called at 8:02PM 25-P-520CH- 520-550 Chestnut Ave. Applicant: Achievers Early College Prep Charter School Property Address: 520-550 Chestnut Ave. Block: 15101 Lot(s): 8 Redevelopment Area: Hermitage Avenue Redevelopment Area 2023 Zoning District: RM- 1 Landmarks Historic Preservation District: N/A Project Description: Applicant is seeking Preliminary and Final Site Plan Approval to replace existing three (3) modular classroom trailers with a single 6,336 square foot modular trailer unit to accommodate additional classroom space. Mr. Richard Schkolnick, Applicant’s Attorney, introduced the application. The modular classroom will support 90 rising 9th grade high school students. He noted that this is a permitted use. No variances are associated with this application. The following people were sworn in: Applicant’s Professionals: Mr. Thomas Fik, Cowell Engineering Shannon Wright, Director of Operations and Assistant School Administrator Joe Barton, from Mobile Lease (modular classrooms) Board’s Professionals: Michelle Taylor, Planner Joseph Gray, Engineer Aaron Schrager, Traffic Engineer Mr. Fik presented his credentials and was accepted as an expert in Civil Engineering before this Board. Referencing the electronic plans, Exhibit A1, Mr. Fik described the site, its location, and the building’s orientation in relationship to the site. There will be 225 parking spaces. About 70 of the 225 will be needed for staff and students. There will be six classrooms. There will be no land disturbance as this building will be installed on blocks. The utility connection will be made to existing hook-ups. He showed a photo of a proposed ramp to be installed on the building for accessibility. No other amenities are proposed, such as picnic tables. There are two bike racks proposed on site currently, but more could be 4 added. Planters could be provided in this area. The work that is proposed will not impact the street trees in the area. Mr. Fik noted that they accept all of the Board professionals’ comments. Ms. Wright presented her credentials, including her school safety certification and affiliation with the school. She noted that they projected 612 Middle and High Schoolers for the upcoming school year, along with 70 staff members. Staff arrive by 7:25 AM and depart by 5:30 PM. She described drop-off and pick-up times and how that is facilitated. They currently have 10 volunteers a day. Most of the students walk to school. She noted that garbage pickup is twice a week and provided the anticipated delivery schedule. The Board indicated that the shade trees on the frontage of the property should be protected from being turned into stumps. The Applicant indicated that they would need some guidance on the planting and preservation of shade trees at the area of improvement. The Board grants a partial waiver for the landscaping. The parking lot has only one way in and one way out. Mr. Romanow asked if there was anyone from the Public who wanted to speak for or against this application. With no answer from the gallery the following vote was set forth: Approve Preliminary and Final Site Plan with the recommended waiver. Member Aye Nay Ab- Motioned Seconded stain Charles Romanow X X Randy Baum X Caty Dominguez X Anthony Santora X Diana Walker X X Case ended 8:35pm Case called at 8:36pm Mr. Herbert announced that the Board received a letter from the Applicant’s representation regarding the extension of approval of the Preliminary and Final Site Plan for this project due to circumstances beyond their control, inclusive of financial matters. Mr. Herbert advised the Board on their extension options. Mr. Romanow asked if there was anyone from the Public who wanted to speak for or against this application. With no answer from the gallery the following vote was set forth: Approve extension until the end of 2026. Member Aye Nay Ab- Motioned Seconded stain Charles Romanow X 5  Randy Baum X Caty Dominguez X X Anthony Santora X X Diana Walker X Meeting Adjourned 8:44pm Respectfully submitted Cherry Oakley, Planning Board Secretary 6