TOWNSHIP OF MONROE

ZONING BOARD MINUTES

MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING

January 28, 2020

Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Attorney Karl Kemm who led the salute to the Flag.

Attorney Karl Kemm 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 3, 2020;                   

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. Marino Lupo, Mr. Henry Sloan, Mr. Louis Masters, Alternate #1 Ms. Rajani Karuturi, Alternate #2 Mr. Donato Tanzi, Alternate #3 Mr. Richard Lans and Alternate #4 Mr. Arnold Jaffe.  Also present for the Board were Attorney Mark Moon, Planner Mark Remsa, Engineer Mark Rasimowicz and Director of Planning & Zoning Mr. Joe Stroin.

MEMBERS ABSENT:        Mr. Michael Maiolo and Mr. Gary Busman.

NOMINATIONS:

Motion to appoint Ms. Carol Damiani as Zoning Board Chairwoman made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Mr. Henry Sloan and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present. (Nominations closed.)

Motion to appoint Mr. Vincent LaFata as Zoning Board Vice-Chairman made by Mr. Henry Sloan and seconded by Mr. Louis Masters and passed unanimously by all members present. (Nominations closed.)

Motion to appoint the Firm of McManimon, Scotland and Bauman as Board Attorney made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Chairwoman Carol Damiani and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present. (Nominations closed.)

Motion to appoint Mr. Mark Rasimowicz as Board Engineer made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Chairwoman Carol Damiani and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present. (Nominations closed.)

Motion to appoint Mr. Mark Remsa as Board Planner made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Chairwoman Carol Damiani and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present. (Nominations closed.)

Motion to appoint Ms. Laura Zalewski as Board Secretary made by Chairwoman Carol Damiani and seconded by Mr. Louis Masters and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present. (Nominations closed.)

Motion to appoint Mr. Mark Remsa as Administrative Officer made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Chairwoman Carol Damiani and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present. (Nominations closed.)

Motion to adopt the Rules and Regulations of the Planning Board made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Mr. Louis Masters and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

Motion to adopt the dates for 2020 for the Planning Board made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Mr. Henry Sloan and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

A motion to approve the October 30, 2018 Minutes made by Mr. Henry Sloan and seconded by Mr. Vincent LaFata and passed with Mr. Gary Busman and Mr. Donato Tanzi abstaining.

A motion to approve the November 26, 2019 Minutes made by Mr. Henry Sloan and seconded by Mr. Vincent LaFata and passed unanimously by all members present.

BA-5178-19                          Dementia Home Care, LLC; Request for Use Variance with Bulk                                                  Variances; Block 42, Lot 7.02; Located on Prospect Plains Road, In                                              the R-30 Zone

Applicant requested to be carried to the next regular meeting without additional notice.

BA-5180-19                         Brothers Investments, LLC; Request for Bulk Variances; Block 76,                                              Lot 6.02; Located on Spotswood Gravel Hill Road, In the R-30 Zone

Chairwoman Carol Damiani recused herself and Vice Chairman Vincent LaFata will chair.

Board Engineer Mark Rasimowicz stepped down and Mr. Rob Russo from CME Engineering is the conflict Engineer.

Represented by Mr. Otto Kostbar who stated the application is for a bulk variance for insufficient frontage.  There is 142 feet where 150 feet is required.

Mr. Charles DiPierro, applicant/property owner, 404 Spotswood Gravel Hill Road, stated he acquired the property approximately 20 years ago.  There was a fire damaged house that happened about 6 months prior to his purchase.  The property does meet all other bulk requirements for area.  It is a 40,000 square foot lot, where 30,000 square feet is required.  We have sent letters to adjoin land owners to purchase some of their property, no responses.  It would also put their land into non-conformity if they granted us land.  All public utilities are available.  We agree to all professional reports.  We are also seeking waiver of curbing and sidewalk, I understand there is contribution ordinance now.  I ask to pay in lieu of prior to building permit.

Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated December 9, 2019.

Mr. Rob Russo, conflict Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated January 17, 2020.

Mr. Marino Lupo asked what happens to the tents shown on the plan.  What was stored there.  Any other use than a house.

Mr. Charles DiPierro stated the tents have been removed.  Stated he lives next to the property and it was for his own personal use of normal household storage of items.

Mr. Karl Kemm, Board Attorney, asked if the ROW Dedication happen now.  (Applicant agreed.)

Motion to approve made by Mr. Marino Lupo and seconded by Vice Chairman Vincent LaFata and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

MEMORIALIZATION

BA-164-18                 Rishrah Properties, LLC c/o Jighya Patel, a motion to approve made by Mr. Vincent LaFata and seconded by Mr. Henry Sloan and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

BA-5168-18              PDC Atlanta, LLC, a motion to approve made by Mr. Louis Masters and seconded by Mr. Vincent LaFata and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

A motion to adjourn at 7:30 p.m. made by Mr. Marino Lupo and seconded by Mr. Henry Sloan and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.

Respectfully submitted,

 LAURA ZALEWSKI

ZONING BOARD SECRETARY