Planning Board Meeting

WALDWICK PLANNING BOARD September 4, 2024 The Formal Session of the Waldwick Planning Board was held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. and was called to order by Chair, Adele Badalamenti, who made the announcement of adequate notice of all meetings. ROLL CALL: Ms. Badalamenti present Mr. Mysliwiec present Mayor Giordano present Mr. Oravetz present Mr. Schatz present Mr. Posillico present Mr. Ramundo absent Mr. Panfile present Mr. Cabibo absent Mr. Vervoort present Mr. Kowalski present Also Present: Cliff Singer, Board Attorney Joyce Sinclair, Board Secretary Paul Grygiel, Board Planner GREETINGS TO THE PUBLIC: No one appeared. APROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made for the approval of the Minutes of August 7, 2024 by Mr. Oravetz and seconded by Mr. Kowalski. A unanimous vote was taken. The Minutes were approved as submitted. RESOLUTION: H & B WALDWICK LLC Master Cha’s Summit Martial Arts Barry Cohen, Esq. Tae Kwon Do, Inc. SR 587 19 W/ Prospect Street Block 114, Lot 15 Tenant Review-Living Space RESOLUTION A motion for approval was made by Mr. Vervoort and seconded by Mr. Kowalski. A unanimous vote was taken. Mr. Posillico abstained. The Resolution was approved. 1 NEW BUSINESS: Review and consideration of the preliminary Area in Need of Redevelopment Investigation of properties in Block 107, Lots 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17 At the advice of Counsel, Mayor Giordano recused himself from this discussion as this will come before the Mayor and Council. Paul Grygiel, Board Planner, appeared before the Board. Mr. Grygiel reviewed the report that has been made available to the Board and the public. Figure Five which is included in the Study was handed to the Board. It shows the location of the properties of Block 107 between Franklin Turnpike and Harrison Avenue and West Prospect Street, ten lots on three acres of land. Mr. Grygiel noted that the Board has been requested by the Mayor and Council to review this re- development study and to consider one or more of these properties, and if they qualify, to make recommendations to the Board. Mr. Grygiel is a long standing Planner for Waldwick and is familiar with Waldwick. The study looks at the Master Plan, tax records and municipal records from Borough Agencies and the site is visited. Mr. Grygiel noted that Chapter Two lists the properties reviewed. They are in a C-1 commercial district. Mr. Grygiel noted that Waldwick has been trying to improve the business district in and around the train station. It builds upon the Master Plan efforts. This took place with the properties to the west of Harrison Avenue about a year and a half ago. Mr. Grygiel noted the statutory criteria by State Law on Page 11, Chapter 4 listing the criteria and if any of these are relevant to the properties in question. If a parcel does not meet the criteria, but is necessary for the overall redevelopment of the area, it can be included in the designated area. There are ten lots included and six meet one or more of the criteria. 49 Harrison: 2 ½ story dwelling. Fair to poor condition internally fixtures and attic and cellar conditions and exterior conditions exist. A and D criteria met. Smart Growth Principles: Statutes and plan to promote smart growth. This property is one block from the railroad. Lot 3-47 Harrison Avenue – residential structure – it does not meet any of the criteria. It is a non- conforming use as a residential use. The property is in good conditions and recommends as it is surrounded by other properties that do meet the criteria. Lot 5 – good shape, no criteria is met on this property. 2 Lot 7 – 45 Harrison Avenue – two family dwelling, external improvements needed, ponding in the street, drainage issues on the property – it meets criteria D, due to fencing and overall property with health and safety issues, drainage and overall. 41 Harrison Avenue – 4 car detached garage. The house is in good condition, the garage is in poor condition. Criteria D is met for this property due to the garage structure, excessive pavement on the property. Lots 9 and 10 – unimproved, it is used for parking and storage. It could be better used and maintained. Criteria D is met as well as H. Lot 11 – West Prospect – mixed use – no criteria is met. It is well maintained, issue is that it is surrounded by properties that do meet the criteria. Lot 13 – Rite Aid Property. A key location – at the main intersection. Normally like to have an impressive building. There is way more parking than necessary. It would not meet today’s parking standards. There are 131 spots, probably 80 would be required. The dumpsters are not up to current standards. There is no screening. It meets Criteria D. Lot 17.- 82 Franklin Turnpike, no criteria met. It can be included as surrounded by other properties that meet the criteria. There are ten properties, six meet one or more criteria, the others are bounded by others that do meet criteria. Mr. Grygiel noted that when a property is included in a condemnation redevelopment area, the property can be condemned. This redevelopment plan does have condemnation powers. It gives the Borough an option. Ken Poro, Esq., Wyckoff, appeared before the Board. He represents the owner of 45 Harrison Avenue. He noted the property has been deemed in good condition and well maintained. There is no criteria in and of itself. His client is concerned with the Borough having power of condemnation. His client has been approached by a developer. Mr. Poro questioned whether adjacent Boroughs had received notice of the redevelopment report being reviewed this evening before the Board. A five minute recess was taken. Mr. Grygiel addressed Mr. Poro’s question regarding notice given to adjoining Boroughs and noted that Sub Section B3 notes the hearing notice requirements. Notice was published in the newspaper for two consecutive weeks and mailed to property owners listed on the tax records in the study area. There is no requirement to notify surrounding municipalities with regards to the study. Mr. Singer advised that the Board can proceed as notice was properly given. 3 Audrey Webb, 97 Bergen Avenue, an employee of Rite Aid, appeared before the Board. She noted the comments on page 23 and 26 regarding Rite Aid. She pointed out that the study gives the illusion of empty shelves and the store not being able to serve the community. She advised that Rite Aid has filed for Chapter 11 and was cut off from suppliers. They exited bankruptcy at the end of June, some Rite Aids had closed, but that is why the shelves are empty. She felt that the verbage in the report was not reality. The company went through financial issues and successfully emerged. The store is getting replenishment. She requested that when the Board is taking this property into consideration, it is due to the financial difficulties. There was no one further to address this Application. In Summary, the Borough has asked the Planning Board to determine whether the designated areas qualify as an area in need of redevelopment with condemnation powers. The Board can give a recommendation to the Mayor and Council, it is not an order. They do not have to use condemnation properties powers, it is just a tool if decided it is appropriate. The Resolution allows this to go to the next step. Once at the Mayor and Council there would be another public hearing before anything further is done. Mr. Grygiel noted that if the designation is made, the Mayor and Council need to adopt the redevelopment plan which has to be reviewed by the Planning Board to set new zoning which has a public hearing as well and any site plan would come before the Board as well. Ms. Badalmenti noted that she will vote to move forward with this, trusting this Board and the Council and Planner would not want anyone to be put in an uncomfortable position. She will be voting in favor with condemnation. Mr. Vervoort noted that he will vote favorably to move forward believing that condemnation is a tool in the tool box, but not necessarily will be used. It is the recommendation of the Planner and he trusts his professional experience that this is the best path to the next step. Mr. Schatz noted that he will vote to move forward as it will better the community. It is a central piece of the town and he would like it to be developed with our ideas in mind. This is a recommendation to the Mayor and Council and they do not need to take our recommendation. Mr. Oravetz thanked the Planner for his extensive work looking into those properties. Mr. Oravetz has lived in the Borough for 70 year and noted that the properties in this area are probably the oldest in the town. This was a railroad town and some are over 100 years old, some are in good shape. He further noted that there was not much input from people objecting to what was discussed. He trusts that the Mayor and Council would do what is best for the Borough. Mr. Kowalski recommended yes to revitalize that area is smart growth and we should be focused on that. 4 Mr. Panfile agreed and is torn, although would like it to go forward and comforted knowing it would come back before the Board at some point. Mr. Posillico noted that the need for a redevelopment suggests improvement. The fear is that the government is going to do something that the public does not want. He noted that the public will play an important role as this moves forward and that this could be a good thing for the community and the residents. Mr. Mysliwiec noted that the area does need to be looked at with potential redevelopment capabilities and noted that only one person came in objection. A motion for a favorable Resolution mas made by Mr. Mysliwiec and seconded by Mr. Posillico. A unanimous vote was taken. The Resolution in favor of the preliminary Area in Need of Redevelopment Investigation was approved. Mayor Giordano rejoined the Board. OLD BUSINESS: None ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made for adjournment by Mr. Mysliwiec and seconded by Mr. Posillico at 8:40 p.m. Joyce C. Sinclair, Secretary 5