Planning Board Meeting

WALDWICK PLANNING BOARD FORMAL SESSION May 7, 2025 The Formal Session of the Waldwick Planning Board was held on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 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. Vervoort present Mayor Giordano present Mr. Schatz present Mr. Ramundo present Mr. Fink present Mr. Mysliwiec present Mr. Panfile present Mr. Posillico present Mr. Schultz present Mr. Kowalski present Also Present: Cliff Singer, Board Attorney Joyce Sinclair, Board Secretary Jim McGinnis, Board Engineer Paul Grygiel, Board Planner GREETINGS TO THE PUBLIC: No one appeared. APROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion for the approval of the April 2, 2025 Minutes was made by Mr. Ramundo and seconded by Mr. Panfile. The Minutes were approved as submitted. NEW MEMBER: New member James Schultz was sworn in as Alternate #2. RESOLUTIONS: SCHULHAFER 32 & 36 Grove Street SUB-25-1 Block 17, Lot 45 & 47 Bruce Whitaker, Esq. Minor Subdivision Realignment of lot line RESOLUTION A motion for approval was made by Mr. Ramundo and seconded by Mr. Kowalski. A vote was taken. Mr. Possilico abstained. The Resolution was approved. 1 APPLICATIONS: BOARD OF EDUCATION 155 Wyckoff Avenue SM 25-1 Block 136, Lot 7 Lan Associates WHS Field Turf and Site Improvements Major Soil Moving Permit NEW APPLICATION Mr. Fink recused himself from this Application. Justin Provencher, Engineer, and Elio Qorri, Engineer, Lan Associates, appeared before the Board. Mr. Provencher described the soil movement process noting they will be stripping off top soil from the field with stone brought in for underneath the turf field. Some of the soil will be going to Traphagen School. The route of travel will be as stated in Boswell Engineering’s report and coordinated with the WPD. Three trees will be removed. A storm water pipe will be installed for drainage. Mr. Mysliwiec questioned the leach field and it was noted this will partially be filled with sand and there will be seepage pits. Mr. Schatz questioned turf contaminants and it was noted that it is environmentally safe and is within standard. The manufacturer would have to be contacted for further details on sampling. There will be 24 trees put in, mostly by Oak Place. Work times will be per the ordinance, The amount of trucks was estimated to be 150. Mr. McGinnis questioned the water management and whether there would be a Maintenance Plan. It was indicated yes there would be. Mr. McGinnis noted that the town has to report to the DEP every year so the report is important to receive. Joan Fytelson, 5 Oak Place, appeared before the Board. She noted that they had not been notified that this would be happening on the field prior to the soil movement application notification and that construction was already in progress. Ms. Fytelson noted the number of trucks going up and down Oak Place all day from the site. It was noted that trucks should be going off Wyckoff Avenue and not Oak Place. Ms. Fytelson questioned drainage. It was noted that the field will drain to an outlet structure. David Fytelson, 5 Oak Place, appeared before the Board. He questioned whether the soil is being tested for toxity. It was indicated yes, both for outgoing and ingoing. Mr. Fytelson was concerned with soil flying off of the trucks as they come down Oak Place from the site. Mr. Ramundo questioned the use of the fire hydrant and why there is not a backflow on it. Mr. Provencher was not aware that it was being used. Elise Dittamo, 162 W. Prospect Street, appeared before the Board. She questioned the age of the trees that were removed. Mr. Provencher noted that there was one large tree close to the school that was removed and two were 12 inches. The trees coming in will be a barrier between neighboring properties. 2 Ms. Dittamo questioned drainage to the storm water system. Mr. Provencher noted that they are able to hold water under the field and slowly release it. Ms. Dittamo questioned whether the turf gets hotter than grass and Mr. Provencher noted that it can. There will be an infill in the turf which should prevent some of the heat on the turf field. . Mr. Provencher noted that the drainage directs water to an outflow structure. Perculation testing and calculations were based on the most strict results. Mr.McGinis noted that it outfalls to the dam. Ms. Dittamo questioned the affect on wildlife in the area. Mr. Provencher noted that this has been evaluated and a study was made to identify the wildlife in the area and their dependence of the water in the area. They will not be enroaching 50’ back so as not to disturb that area. Mr. Schatz questioned the monitoring of the maintenance plan and it was noted that it is monitored by the Board of Education with an annual inspection that must be done every year. Mr. Schatz questioned whether the pits underneath were gravel and it was indicated yes- David Fytelson appeared before the Board and noted the water testing letter of October 24 that they had received and questioned if testing had been done before that. Mr. Provencher noted that the letter was a notification that they were submitting a report. The testing had been done in early summer and Fall. The DEP has a requirement that the residents within 200’ be notified of the report being submitted. Mr. Fytelson expressed concern with trucks lining up on Oak Street idling prior to the 7:00 am start time at the site. BOARD OF EDUCATION 155 Wyckoff Avenue SM 25-2 Block 136, Lot 7 Lan Associates WHS Parking Lot Improvements Major Soil Moving Permit NEW APPLICATION Elio Qorri, Engineer, Lan Associates, appeared before the Board and described the soil movement for the proposed parking lot in the grass area and the area to the north, with a total of 80 spaces They propose to mill and repave the high school and middle school lots. There will be storm water basins in each parking lot; plastic chambers surrounded by stone. The plan is to be finished before school starts in the fall. They will be removing 13 trees and replanting. Nine trees were removed to accommodate the parking. Any curbing that needs to be replaced will be. Ms. Dittamo questioned the trees along Wyckoff Ave that are being removed. There was no one further in the audience to address the Board. Ms. Badalamenti thanked Mr. Provencher and Mr. Elio for their time and expertise. A motion for approval was made by Mr. Mysliwiec and seconded by Mayor Giordano. Mr. Schatz questioned why this was being approved if they have already begun the project. A vote was taken. Mr. Schultz and Mr. Schatz abstained. The Applications were approved. 3  HARRISON AVENUE Block 107, Lots 1, 3, 5, 7-11 REDEVELOPMENT LLC Site Plan and Soil Moving Permit 25-1 CONTINUED Bruce Whitaker, Esq. Mayor Giordano recused himself from this Application. Bruce Whitaker, Esq. appeared before the Board and noted this to be a continuation of the public hearing. The Application is variance free. He noted that the gate entry which was a concern has been removed, so is no longer an issue. William Moore, Landscape Architect, appeared before the Board. He noted Sheets A-14 and A- 15 dated Feb. 6, 2025. He described the street tree plantings. The street tree and the streetscape is proposed to be a combination of trees, shrubs, perennials and ornamental grasses along the residences. Along the sidewalk there is pavers. On the other side of the sidewalk at each planting island there is 5-10’ of turf lawn, to give a neat clean look along the roadway and prevent mulch washout along the street. Up W. Prospect Street where the entrance into the rear parking portion of the site there is proposed foundation plantings along the building. In the enclosed parking space in the center of the buildings there will be some street trees to break up the buildings and to give some shade in this area. Mr. Moore noted the proposed landscaping is greatly improved over the existing streetscape conditions that are there and that they work with the municipal code in the performance standards. The interior as well as streetscape landscaping will comply with the architectural plans submitted. They have tried to create a little bit of softening of the architecture and a nice buffer between the roadway and the buildings. The Boswell Engineering report of March 26, 2025 was noted and the comments given specifically in Paragraph 37 in the report can be accomplished. There is no landscape lighting proposed on these plans. The lighting will meet all lighting ordinance conditions. There is a two year guarantee for the plantings. Undyed hardwood mulch will be used. There will be an irrigation system for the site. Mr. Schatz questioned the height of the trees being put it in and whether consideration had been given to any conflicts with the overhead wires on Harrison Avenue. The trees are gauged by caliper size, measured 4 feet from ground level. The interior trees would probably be 12’ high. The selection of threes was in consideration of that and the trees will be pyramidal. Mr. Fink questioned whether the root system of the trees would impact the storm water management system. It was indicated that they would not. Mr. Fink questioned the residential lighting on the five townhouses and whether the trees would diminish lighting on to the access way. It was indicated that it would not and that the light would spill out. Mr. Mysliwiec questioned the amount of trees to be removed and it was noted 22 trees are proposed to be removed. Many were already dead and they are being replaced by 18 deciduous, 4 ornamental and shade trees and 11 evergreen trees, so the total number is more than being removed. There will be an irrigation system for all these plantings. Patricia Hartig, 44 Harrison Avenue, appeared before the Board. She questioned the potential water problem with removal of the large trees which soak up a lot of water. It was noted that the drainage designed by the site engineer, meets all State requirements and is confirmed by the Board Engineer. The civil engineer took into account what was being planted as part of the overall drainage scheme.. She questioned whether there would be problems with water pipes breaking. This question will be deferred to the Engineer. Elise Dittamo, 162 W. Prospect Street, appeared before the Board. She questioned whether any park benches are proposed. It was indicated there are no public spaces proposed. Doug Polyniak, Traffic Engineer, Somerville, NJ, appeared before the Board. He has visited the site and viewed the traffic aspects and has prepared a traffic impact assessment report dated April 22, 2025 to review anticipated peak hour site traffic associated with the development, do traffic counts to examine existing peak hour conditions, create a future condition and determine if there is any degradation of levels of service during peak hours. He first looked at the trip generation in and out that can be anticipated for the apartments, townhouses and retail using the trip generation manual, which is a manual created by the Institute of Transportation Engineers to do this. The manual has estimates for traffic associates with all types of land uses. When the trip generating numbers were ran for the size of the land use proposed, it calculated during morning peak you would have 10 entering trips and 16 existing vehicle trips for a total of 26 movements. At the evening peak there would be 26 entering and 20 exiting for a total of 46 movements. Both the Institute of Transportation Engineers and NJDOT considers 100 peak hour trips as a significant increased number. This project was found to be half of that significant level. When looking at the ITE numbers, the numbers do not take into account existing traffic and traffic that won’t exist due to the site’s proximity to the train station. Mr. Polyniak also looked at census data and there were projections in 2023 of 7 or 8% Waldwick residents who used mass transit. As this site is near the train station it is appealing to new residents because the train station is within walking distance. Traffic volume counts were done on March 19, 2025 during the peak between 7 - 9 am and 4 – 6:30 in the evening. Mr. Polyniak found that morning peak hour at the intersections of Harrison and Fredrick and Harrison and W. Prospect occurred from 7:45 - 8:45 in the morning and in the evening peak hour it was 4:45 - 5:45. The volumes were generally pretty low. A software is then used which calculates the levels of services based on the delay for movements at the intersection. It is rated like a report card and “A” means exceptional levels of service, meaning very little delay and “F” means that a turning movement at an intersection is operating at or above capacity for what it can handle. For these two intersections the levels of service are 5 operating at a level of Service “B” or better. Things are running smoothly at those two intersections adjacent to the property. They then look at a future conditions to do a comparison of the future without the site-generated traffic and with the site-generated traffic. They take the growth rates established by NJDOT of 1.75% increase in annual traffic and apply it to the existing volumes to create a 2027 no build year. Then the site traffic was taken from the site access points and another level of service analysis was done with and without the site traffic to determine if there is any substantial or significant impact with the additional volumes and found that there is not. It was found that the levels of service at the Harriosn Avenue intersections with Fredrick and with W. Prospect will operate at a level of Service “C” or better whether or not the site-generated traffic is added to those locations or not. The redevelopment of this property will have no changes or impact because the levels of service and delay won’t significantly change. Also included in the traffic report is a review of the access design, parking supply and internal circulation. The main access will be along W. Prospect Street and there will be a full movement driveway which leads to the interior parking lot. They also analyzed the driveway movements and the driveway will operate at a level of service “B” or better. Access will be about 85’ from Harrison Avenue. Although 100’ is preferred by the ordinance, with his experience, Mr. Polyniak does not have concerns for the 15’ discrepancy as it is a light trip generator and the turning movements in and out of the driveway are low, as well as volume along W. Prospect Street. There was a concern regarding the left turn into the property and that it might create queues if someone is making a left turn into the property. Their projections of traffic indicate about one left turn vehicle movement into the driveway about every 10 minutes during the peak hour which is pretty infrequent and no different than the existing other driveways. There are 87 parking spaces provided which meet the ordinance requirements. The spaces will be 9’ x 18’ deep , with a 24’ 2-way aisle in the parking facilities and ADA parking spaces will be provided, and the levels of service at the site driveway will operate safely. The site has been designed to meet typical standards with respect to parking supply and dimensions, and the site is well suited for this development from a traffic engineering perspective. The Boswell Engineering report of May 2, 2025, specifically, Paragraph 2 notes that certain residential parking along Harrison Avenue frontage are assumed will need to be altered. Mr. Polyniak noted that this project will introduce more driveways associated with the townhomes, so there is going to be reduction in available parking along the northbound side of Harrison Avenue. Currently there are six parking spaces. It will go down to one parking space available. The gate has been eliminated so there is no issue with the garage entry needing a car reader or kay pad. Mr. Polyniak explained that there are certain levels of service at the site which are currently all C's and B's. Based on the analysis these levels of service will not change. 6 In connection with the ingress and egress to the site to the interior of the site, the 25’ wide driveway is an acceptable standard. Having one egress and ingress is very common. The interior parking from a traffic analysis, driveway aisle width, and backup turning radius all can be accommodated. He felt that there is no negative impact with the Applicant’s proposal from a traffic standpoint. Ms. Badalamenti questioned whether lunch hour traffic was measured. Mr. Polyniak noted we generally do not do lunch hour traffic because residents will be at their place of business. Mr. Ramundo added that at lunch time, Harrison Avenue is used as a point of parking for most of the businesses on W. Prospect Street and questioned the impact of the proposal on that. The proposed parking garage space is for the retail space there only. A patron of a vendor on W. Prospect could not park there. Mr. Schultz questioned what a “full movement driveway” was. It was noted it means that you can make a left turn and right turn into and out of the driveway. Mr. Shultz questioned if Mr. Polyniak had visited the site at lunch time and he has not. Mr. Schultz noted that rush hour at this site is at lunch time and that there will be a problem with removing the five spots on Harrison Avenue. He questioned where are people going to park when they go to lunch. Mr. Whitaker noted that they will have to park further away. Mr. Whitaker noted that all effects of this redevelopment were taking into account by the Borough and that the Applicant is entitled to have this type of development at this site following the ordinance guidance . Mr. Schultz requested that the traffic engineer visit the site at its busiest which is during lunch time and felt it would be found that the area will be impacted by the loss of parking. \ Mr. Ramundo questioned if the studies were created before or after covid, because as we know, with covid more people work from home. It was indicated the studies ranged from pre and post covid. Mr. Schatz questioned the ordinance about parking spaces for the retail going in. Mr. Singer noted that generally it is 1 space for every 200 sq. ft. Mr. Grygiel noted that the redevelopment plan has a superseding regulation that is a blanket of 1 space per 400 sq. ft. for non-residential regardless of the specific use. It is a redevelopment with shared parking so it doesn’t get into that level of detail that the ordinance otherwise does, the redevelopmet plan supercedes that. Andy Agugliaro, 51 Highwood Avenue, Waldwick Fire Department Chief, appeared before the Board. He questioned parking for the Hair Cottage and it was noted that patrons of the Hair Cottage can park in that parking area as it is part of the development. Mr. Agugliaro questioned with a full movement driveway whether consideration has been taken if a 46’ ladder truck or 30’ rescue truck can pull into that driveway either from the left side or right side. This has not been looked into. Mr. Agugliaro questioned whether there would be no parking on the other side of the street and it was noted this would be under municipal jurisdiction. Mr. Agugliaro noted that if there are no cars parked across street than the trucks can make that turn, if there are cars parked here, they 7 cannot. Mr. Singer noted this may be something the council should look at relative to a no parking zone because of that issue. Ms. Hartig appeared before the Board. She questioned if consideration had been given to all the buildings and businesses that are on her street where tucks are pulling out all morning. She questioned if they had been considered in the traffic level. It was noted that if those vehicles went through the intersections of Harrison Ave and W. Prospect and Fredrick Street during peak hours, then yes, they were collected. She questioned the number of times Mr. Polyniak has visited the site and he indicated 3 visits. Ms. Dittamo appeared before the Board. She questioned the amount of adult people and how many cars are proposed. It was noted that the parking proposed meets the requirements of the ordinance. She questioned if there is only 1.5 parking spaces per apartment, what happens if the majority of couples have two cars and where would they park. Mr. Whitaker explained how the 1.5 is promulgated. There may be a couple with two cars, and may be couples with one car so it averages out and with the train station only a block away, the reliance on an automobile will be lower and that is where it is 1.5. This project is looked upon as a transit-style facility, based on the ordinance that was adopted by the governing body. Ms. Hartig questioned where the residents of the development would park during snow storms when cars need to be off the streets. It was noted they would park in their driveway, garage or parking lot. Mr. Schultz questioned whether there was an answer to the question from last meeting of why the fire suppression system is a 13D instead of 13. Mr. Whitaker noted the developer will construct with the building code requirements. The Board does not have jurisdiction to require the Applicant to build over building code requirements. Mr. Singer noted that the Board cannot require anything beyond what is in the code and the ordinance. The applicant can offer, but they don’t have to. This would also go for the truss roof spoken about at the last meeting. Mr. Schultz felt that there is an over estimation of folks who use the train. Mr. Ramundo questioned the error noted at the last meeting on the drawings concerning the height of the garage. The drawing stated 13-1/2’. Mr. Whitaker noted that the site plan would govern, which had 14'. Mr. Ramundo questioned if the overall height is at 52 ‘, and the parapet is more than 50% doesn’t that count as the overall height of the building. He questioned further if a ladder was needed by the fire department, would they need a 52’ ladder or a 48’ ladder to get to the roof. Mr. Grygiel noted there are exceptions for rooftop structures and will check the exact language on parapets, but it has not been flagged as a variance. Mr. McGinnis confirmed the garage height of 14' Mr. Ramundo raised concern with the windowless basements on each end of the building and concern that they may be used as bedrooms. A-25 traffic exhibit was marked. 8 This Application will be carried to the next meeting on June 4. Extensions of time was granted. OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: None ADJOURNMENT: A motion was made for adjournment by Mr. Kowalski and seconded by Mr. Ramundo at 9:55 p.m. Joyce C. Sinclair, Secretary 9