Planning Minutes | February 25, 2021
TOWNSHIP OF MONROE
PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
February 25, 2021
Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Vice Chairman John Riggs who led the salute to the Flag.
Vice Chairman John Riggs 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 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: Vice Chairman John Riggs, Mr. David Rothman, Mrs. Karen Polidoro, Mr. Wayne Horbatt, Ms. Roslyn Brodsky, Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider and Mayor’s Representative Kevin McGowan. Also present for the Board were Attorney Jerome Convery, Planner Rob Russo, Engineer Mark Rasimowicz and Director of Planning Mr. Joe Stroin.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Mr. Andy Paluri.
A motion to approve the January 28, 2021 Minutes with corrections made by Ms. Roslyn Brodsky and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Schneider and passed unanimously by all members present.
PB-1218-19 Apple Realty, LLC; Request for Preliminary & Final Site Plan with Bulk Variances; Block 47.01, Lot 8.01; Located on Applegarth Road, in the NC (Neighborhood Commercial) Zone
Represented by Ms. Rosalind Westlake who stated this application proposes to construct a 4,130 square foot addition to the shopping center, bringing the total gross floor area to 36,691 square feet. The addition will be at the southern end of the southernmost building, which will increase in size to 21,956 square feet from 17,826 square feet. Eighteen existing parking spaces will be displaced by the addition, and spaces will be reconfigured to provide a total of 164 spaces. The proposal will decrease the overall parking supply to 162 spaces from 176 spaces, which is a reduction of 14 spaces. No other changes to the site are proposed.
Mr. Daniel DiStefano, Managing Member of Apple Realty was sworn in stated the day to day operations on site. This is to obtain approval and we will seek a tenant before construction starts.
Mr. William Boska of Langan Engineering, applicant’s Engineer described the subject site, which is irregularly shaped and contains approximately 3.27 acres, is located in the western central portion of Monroe Township. It has about 700 feet of frontage along the eastern side of Applegarth Road (CR 619) and almost 170 feet of frontage along Prospect Plains Road (CR 614). A shopping center, which consists of three buildings, 176 parking spaces and entrances from CR 614 and CR 619, exists on the site. Industrial development exists east of the site. Commercial development exists to the north, south and west. Farther west is age-restricted housing. The site is zoned NC Neighborhood Commercial. We are seeking a variance for parking in the front yard. Also, waivers are requested for parking space size and parking aisle width.
Mr. David Rothman asked for them to clarify the correct number of parking space to be decreased.
Ms. Karen Polidoro stated she had a concern with the cars entering the lot and a car backing out of a parking space directly in front.
Mr. Kevin McGowan asked for further detail on one way verse two way.
Ms. Roslyn Brodsky suggested no parking in front.
Vice Chairman John Riggs asked what intersection improvements are going to be done, especially for berms and buffers.
Councilwoman Betty Schneider asked if she heard correctly, that this is for approval and not to start until they have a tenant.
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated October 19, 2020.
Mr. Rob Russo, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated August 13, 2020.
(No public wanted to be heard. Public portion closed.)
Motion to approve made by Ms. Karen Polidoro and seconded by Mr. Wayne Horbatt and passed with Mr. David Rothman voting no.
MEMORIALIZATION
PB-1226-20 Old Forge Properties, LLC, a motion to approve made by Ms. Roslyn Brodsky and seconded by Mr. Kevin McGowan and passed with Mr. David Rothman voting no.
PUBLIC PORTION
(No public wanted to be heard.)
A motion to adjourn at 7:15 p.m. made by Ms. Karen Polidoro and seconded by Mr. David Rothman and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURA ZALEWSKI
PLANNING BOARD SECRETARY