Zoning Minutes | Jul 25, 2017
TOWNSHIP OF MONROE ZONING BOARD MINUTES
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
July 25, 2017
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;
Printed in the Home News Tribune and Cranbury Press on January 6, 2017;
Posted on January 6, 2017 on the Bulletin Boards within the Municipal complex, 1 Municipal Plaza;
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, Marino Lupo, Joseph W. Gurney, Dhaval Patel, Mark Klein, Henry Sloan, Alternate #1 Stanley Teller, #3 Louis Masters. Also present for the Board were Attorney Karl Kemm, Planner Mark Remsa, and Engineer Mark Rasimowicz.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Alternate #2 Jennifer Hluchy.
A motion to approve the June 27, 2017 Minutes made by Mr. Klein and seconded by Mr. Lupo and passed unanimously by all members present.
BA-5141-17 New York SMSA Limited Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless; Request for Use Variance and Minor Site Plan; Block 152, Lots 2-9; Located on Harrison Avenue in the R-7.5 Zone
Carried to the September 26, 2017 meeting with notice.
BA-5148-17 Matrix Realty, Inc.; Request for Final Site Plan; Block 81, Lot 2; Located on Docks Corner Road in the R-30 Zone
Represented by Mr. Glenn Pantel who stated this application is seeking final approval. We will be installing a vapor barrier. We agree to all conditions of preliminary approval. We also agree to all professional reports for this application. I have my experts here if we need to put on record. Other than that, from preliminary approval to now, no changes.
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated July 19, 2017.
Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated June 6, 2017.
(No public wanted to be heard.)
Motion to approve made by Mr. LaFataand seconded by Mr. Lupo and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
BA-5147-17 GTIS – Hov Arbors at Monroe, LLC; Request for Bulk Variances; Block 4, Lots 9 and 13.10; Located on Joan Warren Way and Applegarth Road in the VC-2 Overlay in the HD Zone
Represented by Mr. Steve Dahl who stated this application is seeking bulk variances for two (2) free standing signs for the Townhomes. They are proposed at the intersection of Applegarth and Joan Warren Way and the other is proposed at Marigold and Joan Warren Way.
Mr. Jason Tronco, applicants Engineer, stated one (1) sign is permitted. We are requesting two (2) signs. One at each entry point in the community. Described in detail the base and the sign, and that according to the ordinance, the calculation are seventy seven 77 square feet, because everything is included. The “actual” sign itself is only twenty five (25) square feet. There is no detriment to allow for the second sign.
Mr. Mark Klein asked the locations of the signs and the setbacks from the roadways.
Mr. Tronco stated the locations and all were to be located outside the sight triangle easements.
Mr. Vincent LaFata asked what the need for the two (2) signs were and if it was for directional purposes.
Mr. Tronco stated the Applegarth sign would be to notify motorists and the other sign is internal sign.
Mr. Henry Sloan asked the status of the DEP application.
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz stated the Township is the applicant.
Mr. Steve Dahl stated there is a wood turtle habitat.
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated July 18, 2017.
Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated July 9, 2017.
No public wanted to be heard on the application.
Motion to approve one sign along Applegarth Road and Joan Warren Way made by Mr. Vincent LaFataand seconded by Mr. Dhaval Pateland passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
BA-5142-17 Puppy Paradise, LLC; Request for Use Variance; Block 13, Lot 16; Located on Applegarth Road in the R-3A Zone: R-3A
Represented by Mr. Walter Toto, who stated this application received use variance approval in 2012 and we are here seeking amendments.
Ms. Michelle Martin is 100% Owner. We have been operating since 2012.
Mr. Walter Toto stated we are seeking different hours of operation, employees will increase to six (6) and the owner is not counted in that, a groomer also and at any given time we have two (2) employees there and some days it will be three (3) when the groomer is also there. We are seeking to convert the residential portion to extend the doggie day care. There will be no more residential portion on site.
Ms. Michele Martin stated there are cameras on site; she only lives 4 minutes away. There will be no employees overnight. We are looking to separate the dogs by size, right now they are all together. As far as parking is concerned, its only employees that remain parked, the guests pull up and an employee goes outside and greets them and brings the dogs in. Once in a while, there will be an additional car, when people would like to come and tour the facility before bringing their dog here. Once a year we have “doggie prom” and we have not had an issue with parking. I can only remember once having a parking issue and that was the grand opening and the over flow parked at the restaurant across the street.
Mr. Marino Lupo asked if an exterminator comes on site.
Ms. Martin stated no. She’s never needed one.
Mr. Dhaval Patel asked how long since nonresidential.
Ms. Martin stated the tenant has been gone since March.
Mr. Louis Masters asked if she was licensed through the state and are health inspections performed. How are the dogs housed. Stated Daisy Law and that the owner should be familiar with it, and she should look into it.
Mr. Mark Klein asked if no one is there at night time and there is an emergency, what happens.
Ms. Martin stated she lives minutes away and would be there very quick. We have cameras and can see and watch the dogs. There are security cameras outside.
PUBLIC:
Mr. Norm Osborne, 28 Drawbridge Drive, stated he has been a client and supports Michelle any way he can.
Mr. Dominic Musso, 4 Wyckoffs Mills Road, stated its horrible. Dogs are barking at him when he goes for the mail. It’s very loud.
Mr. Michael O’Connor, 2 Old Church Road, stated he had several issues with noise and spoke to Michele. She tries to be a good neighbor, but we live here, she does not.
Ms. DeVinio, 17 Shank Court, also supported Puppy paradise.
Ms. Stacy Noonan, of Cranbury stated she’s been a long time client and supports her.
Ms. Powell, Jamestown Road, also supports Puppy Paradise.
Ms. Cheryl Horowitz, 17 Equinax Lane, also supported Puppy Paradise.
Ms. Ally Cardello, 733 Mt. Vernon Ro0ad, also supports Puppy Paradise.
Motion to close public portion made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Mr. Marino Lupo and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
Chairwoman Carol Damiani asked how many dogs and how many employees.
Ms. Martin stated twenty five (25) dog and two (2) employees.
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated May 10, 2017.
Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated July 23, 2017.
Mr. Louis Masters stated there seems to be more questions regarding the sounds and maybe this should be looked at before we vote on the application.
Motion to be carried without notice to next regular meeting made by Mr. Mark Kleinand seconded by Mr. Dhaval Pateland passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
BA-5143-17 New York SMSA Limited Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless; Request for Minor Site Plan with Bulk and Use Variances; Block 41, Lot 12.02; Located on Applegarth Road in the POCD Zone
(See attached transcript.)
MEMORIALIZATION
BA-5145-17 CT07 Shared Commercial, LLC, a motion to approve made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Mr. Dhaval Patel and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
DISCUSSION
A motion to approve request for additional funds for Attorney in the matter known as George Tarantino vs. Monroe Township Zoning Board made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Mr. Mark Klein and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
A motion to adjourn at 10.30 p.m. made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Mr. Mark Kleinand passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURA ZALEWSKI
BOARD SECRETARY