Plannng Board

City of Trenton Planning Board Public Hearing Thursday, August 14, 2025 City Hall Members in Attendance: Charles Romanow, Chair Jonathan Conner Jeff Halpern Joseph Harrison Anthony Santora Members Not in Attendance: Randy Baum, Vice Chair Caty Dominguez Markus Green Diana Walker Staff in Attendance: Massiel Ferrara, Supervising Planner Michael Herbert, Planning Board Attorney PUBLIC HEARING The meeting was called to order at 7:15 PM by Mr. Romanow. The Open Public Meetings Act was announced and a quorum was verified. Approval of Meeting Minutes for June 26, 2025 Member Aye Nay Ab-stain Motioned Seconded Charles Romanow X X Jonathan Conner X Jeff Halpern X X Joseph Harrison X Anthony Santora X Approval of Meeting Minutes for July 10, 2025 Member Aye Nay Ab-stain Motioned Seconded Charles Romanow X X Jonathan Conner X Jeff Halpern X 1  Joseph Harrison X X Anthony Santora X Memorialize Resolution 25-P-22BR: 22-28 Brown Street Member Aye Nay Ab-stain Motioned Seconded Charles Romanow X Jonathan Conner X Jeff Halpern X X Joseph Harrison X Anthony Santora X X Memorialize Resolution 25-P-60TA: 60-72 Tyrell Avenue Member Aye Nay Ab-stain Motioned Seconded Charles Romanow X Jonathan Conner X Jeff Halpern X Joseph Harrison X X Anthony Santora X X Case was called at 7:20pm 25-P-800MLK: 800 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Applicant: Choice Junior One LLC c/o PRC Group LLC Property Address: 800 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Block: 8903 Lot (s): 35.01, 35.02 Redevelopment Area: Donnelly Homes Redevelopment Area 2023 Zoning District: RH-2 Project Description: The applicant is seeking Minor Subdivision Approval for a proposed lot line adjustment between two existing lots, to decrease the size of Lot 35.01 from approximately 2.474 acres to 2.437 acres, and to increase the size of Lot 35.02 from approximately 2.913 acres to 2.950 acres. Mr. Shanty Tabor, Esq introduced the project application. Mr. Herbert explained that after consultation with the Board’s attorney and City Planning staff it was agreed that no witnesses were needed. Instead the Applicant’s attorney could make a statement because it is such a minor sub-division. Mr. Tabor read a statement into the record while referencing Exhibit A-1 he explained the change in the size of the lot by .03 acres. The Board’s professional, Mr. Gray, reviewed the Exhibit and sent comments to the Applicant and the Applicant did not object to any of the comments. 2 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 minor subdivision for 25-P-800MLK: 800 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Member Aye Nay Ab-stain Motioned Seconded Charles Romanow X Jonathan Conner X Jeff Halpern X X Joseph Harrison X X Anthony Santora X 24-P-22NB: 22-24 N Broad Street Applicant: Sababu Capital, LLC Property Address: 22-24 N Broad Street Block: 504 Lot (s): 20.01 Redevelopment Area: Canal Banks Redevelopment Area 2023 Zoning District: DT/C-MX Project Description: The applicant is seeking Preliminary and Final Major Site Plan Approval with Waivers to construct a six-story addition above the existing two-story building and to make interior alterations to accommodate 20 one-bedroom units, 4 two-bedroom units, retail space on the first floor, and basement storage. Mr. Jonas Singer, Esq. of Wells and Singer of Bordentown, NJ introduced the application. The following were sworn in: Applicant’s Professional Mr. Jay Sababu, Owner Mr. Lawrence Murphy, Engineer Mr. Ben Catarinecchia, Architect Board’s Professionals Ms. MicheleTaylor, Planner Mr. Aaron Schrager, Traffic Engineer Mr. Joseph Gray, Engineer Exhibits: A1 – Site Plan Sheets, Coversheet and Plans dated July 3, 2025 A2- Architectural Rendering Mr. Murphy presented his credentials and was accepted as an expert before this Board. He described the project, the existing building, and its location. He noted that the entire lot is 100% impervious coverage. The intention is to reutilize the existing two stories of the building plus 3 the basement, then add floors to bring it to 8 stories with a useable rooftop. The basement will have indoor bicycle storage for 12 bikes. There will be a coin operated laundry facility for the tenants. The first floor with have retail, mailboxes, and trash storage. He described what will be located on each floor. There will be a rooftop garden and recreational space. Mechanicals will be located on the rooftop and be screened so they cannot be seen from adjacent buildings or those using the roof deck. It is compliant with existing ordinances. They will be maintaining the existing building footprint. He described the location of parking and confirmed that all signage for the retail will comply with existing ordinances. A private hauler will be responsible for trash removal. Because of the location of the building it is unable to comply with the lighting restrictions because the ordinance and the RSIS conflict. Regarding the professional reports, the Applicant was agreeable to complying with the Board’s professionals’ reports. There is 2300 sq. ft. of green space. There is no available land to landscape. The Applicant will replace any trees that are damaged during construction. This project does comply with height restrictions in the ordinance. The specific users for the retail spaces have not yet been identified so they are unable to respond to the details about the employees, shifts, hours of operation, etc. The site is currently in use with retail so it’s not a change of use or reactivating a vacant property. Management of the building will be remote. Mr. Catarinecchia presented his credentials and was accepted as an expert before this Board. He described that the structure has a masonry structure and the front wall is not a 90 degree angle, which has dictated the arrangement of the units. There extension upwards will be steel instead of continuing the masonry. The elevator will go all the way up to the roof so there will be full accessibility. The drainage on the roof will decrease as the plantings and soil up there will absorb some of that water. Drip irrigation on a timer will water the roof plantings. The corrugated metal was replaced with a composite based on the memo comments. The overhangs are the only thing that juts out from the building and that is consistent with what the existing overhangs currently does. The LED lighting that was proposed is back lighting and only to light the building. Lights will not be projecting out or away from the building. He noted that the only comments that they are not complying with is the 40% transparency on the ground floor because of the age of the masonry building. They do not want to start cutting into the masonry and disturb the structural integrity of the building in order to insert windows because that could cause a lot more structural stabilization to be needed. There exists 25% transparency currently. A structural engineer did analyze the building and confirmed that it was structurally sound to build. The tenants can either rent parking spaces locally or use on-street parking. Mr. Schrager testified that there will be a minimal increase in traffic. There was no traffic study provided by the Applicant. He confirmed with the applicant that there exists a letter between the parking lot owner and the Applicant that there are spaces available for his tenants. Mr. Murphy indicated that they are willing to provide a bike rack and pay for the installation but it will be on City property and the City would have to maintain it. 4 The Board expressed concern about whether the bottom two floors are structurally sound given the testimony. The Applicant confirms that the tenants will be notified prior to move-in that parking is at their expense as the on-street parking in the area is metered and in effect during the day. If they do not pay during the meter hours they will be ticketed. Mr. Romanow asked if there was anyone from the Public who wanted to speak for or against this project. With no answer from the gallery the following vote was set forth: Approve Preliminary and Final Site Plan for 24-P-22NB: 22-24 N Broad Street with conditions and agreement to further evaluate the structural integrity of the lower floors to determine more windows could be installed and a waiver for the transparency Member Aye Nay Ab-stain Motioned Seconded Charles Romanow X Jonathan Conner X Jeff Halpern X X Joseph Harrison X Anthony Santora X X Consistency Review: 2025 Enterprise Avenue Redevelopment Area Plan Property Address: 310- 356 Enterprise Avenue Block: 23102 Lot(s): 1, 2, & 9; and Block: 23203 Lot: 1 2023 Zoning District: I-L Project Description: The Project Area is located within the previously designated Enterprise Avenue Area Redevelopment Plan, adopted by the Council in July 2002 and amended in January 2005 and April 2009. The City seeks to alleviate the conditions in the Project Area and promote the use of property in a way that better serves the public health, safety, and welfare of the community and the region. Under this Redevelopment Plan, proposed land uses for the Project Area include an approximately 236,178-square-foot warehouse and office building with a rooftop solar array, associated parking and site improvements, and a public park known as the Assunpink Greenway. Ms. Taylor provided for the Board a summary of what they would be reviewing tonight. She noted that one of the lots is contaminated and is under remediation. The land must be capped because of the contamination. She reviewed the Master Plan requirements under consideration and described how she evaluated the site. She noted that the existing greenway will not be maintained in its entirety but will be pushed closer to Enterprise Avenue to make it easier to maintain. The Redeveloper is prepared to relocate part of the path. The rail crossing is problematic as the railroad company is not being cooperative so a walkway beside the rail crossing is being proposed. The intention is to create these greenways to create a better fabric for the City. There are other obstructions in the vicinity of this project and in those areas on-street connectivity are integrated in the plans. 5 The redeveloper is excited about continuing the trail up to the canal towpath, which is across the street. They will also provide a bunch of bike racks in anticipation of employees riding their bikes to work. 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: Find the 2025 Enterprise Avenue Redevelopment Area Plan consistent with the Master Plan Member Aye Nay Ab-stain Motioned Seconded Charles Romanow X Jonathan Conner X Jeff Halpern X X Joseph Harrison X X Anthony Santora X Courtesy Review: Trenton City Hall Plaza Restoration Applicant: Trenton City Property Address: 319 E State Street Block: 301 Lot (s): 1 Redevelopment Area: City Hall Redevelopment Area 2023 Zoning District: INST Institutional District Landmarks Historic Preservation District: Trenton City Hall Historic Site Project Description: Exterior repair and restoration of the plaza at Trenton City Hall, including the removal and replacement of concrete paving, reconstruction of granite and masonry retaining walls, installation of new site lighting, and historic replica metalwork and fixtures. The Applicant was not present so the Board’s professional Mr. Gray summarized the restoration plans under review tonight. He reviewed his questions regarding the plans. He sought better understanding the planned grate replacement. He noted that the intensity of the lighting does have potential spillage over the property line, which might affect he adjacent neighbors. The Board noted that cleaning the façade should also be considered as part of the plans. Ms. Ferrara will take the Board’s comments back to the appropriate party so edits to the plan can be considered. Meeting Adjourned 8:30 pm Respectfully submitted Cherry Oakley, Planning Board Secretary 6