Zoning Minutes | Jul 31, 2018
TOWNSHIP OF MONROE ZONING BOARD MINUTES
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
July 31, 2018
Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairwoman Carol Damiani who led the salute to the Flag.
Chairwoman Carol Damiani read the Sunshine Law as follows: In accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, it is hereby announced and shall be entered into the minutes of this meeting that adequate notice of this meeting has been provided by the following:
Posted on January 6, 2017 on the Bulletin Board of the Office of the Township Clerk, Municipal Complex, 1 Municipal Plaza, and remains on file at that location for public inspection;
Posted on the Bulletin Board of the Office of the Township Clerk;
Posted on the Bulletin Boards within the Municipal Complex;
Printed in the Home News Tribune and Cranbury Press on January 5, 2018;
Posted on the Monroe Township website; and
Sent to those individuals who have requested personal notice.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairwoman Carol Damiani, Vice Chairman Vincent LaFata, Mr. Dhaval Patel, Mr. Mark Klein, Mr. Marino Lupo, Mr. Joseph W. Gurney, Mr. Henry Sloan, Alternate #1 Mr. Jay Brown, Alternate #2 Ms. Jennifer Hluchy, Alternate #3 Mr. Louis Masters and Alternate #4 Mr. Michael Maiolo. Also present for the Board were Attorney Karl Kemm, Planner Mark Remsa, and Engineer Mark Rasimowicz.
MEMBERS ABSENT: All present.
A motion to approve the May 29, 2018 Minutesmade by Mr. Mark Klein and seconded by Mr. Dhaval Patel and passed with Mr. Jay Brown and Mr. Vincent LaFata abstaining.
BA-5159-17 The Verde Group, LLC;Request for Amended Final Site Plan; Block 6, Lot 37.01; Located on Route #33, in the HD (Highway Development Zone
Represented by Mr. Bob Smith who stated this application is seeking amended final approval for forty seven (47) of the one hundred and fifty three approved units. This is a minor request for a two (2) foot wider garage, within the same foot print.
Mr. Mark Lescavage, applicant’s Engineer, stated this application is merely to increase the garage by two (2) feet. We are seeking a design waiver of street trees because of a conflict with sewer and water.
Mr. Bob Smith stated there is no increase in the proposed number of units.
Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, stated he would suggest the Town Arborist inspect the trees and asked if the applicant would comply with all his conditions. (Agreed.)
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, stated he go thru his report and asked specifically why a waiver is request for item 5a of his report.
Mr. Todd Ochsner stated this was previously approved and would not change.
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz stated he has a major safety concern with the traffic and suggests a traffic signal and feels it is warrant at this time. Has the County reviewed this. Also, the garage spaces following RSIS standards, does that trigger a variance. What is required and what is provided. My major concern is the exit out onto Applegarth Road.
Mr. Mark Klein stated he has a concern with the left onto Applegarth Road.
Mr. Karl Kemm stated this is an amended application for the Townhouse portion and not the entire site.
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz stated the applicant is here requesting relief and feels this safety concern needs to be addressed.
Mr. Mark Klein continued and stated he agrees with the Board Engineer and that he witnessed cars making left turns and when will something be done, when a fatality occurs. Let’s address now.
Mr. Marino Lupo asked the size of the Townhomes.
Mr. Todd Ochsner stated the 20x45 was approved and we are proposing 22x45 and nine (9) foot wide driveway.
Chairwoman Carol Damiani asked if arrows would help in exiting onto Applegarth Road.
Mr. Dhaval Patel stated he has concerns after witnessing first hand and now hearing our Board’s professional concerns. This needs to be addressed immediately. Also, if the applicant is here, why can’t we open up the entire application for review. There are many concerns and we, as a Board, deserve the time to review.
Mr. Bob Smith stated this applicant has always provided to a higher standard.
PUBLIC
Ms. Michelle Arminio stated she feels the Board should keep pushing this for safety of the motorist in that area.
Mr. George Gunkelman stated that if they are here why the entire site can’t be reviewed again.
Motion to close public portion made by Mr. Vincent LaFataand seconded by Ms. Jennifer Hluchy and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
Mr. Bob Smith urged the Board to respectfully approve this minor change.
Mr. Todd Ochsner stated this application is not increasing the numbers and does not warrant any traffic signal and ultimately it is a County decision.
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz stated that County has been looking to the Townships for guidance lately. We do have input and major concerns at this exit onto Applegarth Road.
Motion to carry made by Mr. Vincent LaFataand seconded by Mr. Dhaval Patel and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
BA-5121-16 Love’s Tree Removal; Request for Use Variance; Block 32, Lots 14.01 & 15.01 located on Buckelew Avenue in the RR-FLP (Rural Residential / Farmland Preservation Dist.) Zone
(See attached transcript.).
MEMORIALIZATION
BA-5160-18 Angela Klizos, a motion to approve made by Mr. Dhaval Patel and seconded by Mr. Mark Klein and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
BA-5154-17 Maria Choy, a motion to approve made by Ms. Jennifer Hluchy and seconded by Mr. Mark Klein and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
DISCUSSION
Motion to appoint Mr. Mark Rasimowicz as Board Engineer made by Ms. Jennifer Hluchy and seconded by Chairwoman Carol Damiani and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
A motion to adjourn at 10:45 p.m. made by Mr. Mark Klein and seconded by Mr. Henry Sloanand passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURA ZALEWSKI
ZONING BOARD SECRETARY