Planning Minutes | Feb 22, 2018
TOWNSHIP OF MONROE PLANNING BOARD MINUTES
MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING
February 22, 2018
Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chairman David Rothman who led the salute to the Flag.
Chairman David Rothman 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 5, 2018;
Posted on the Monroe Township website; and
Sent to those individuals who have requested personal notice.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chairman David Rothman, Vice Chairman Len Levene, Mr. Andy Paluri, Mrs. Karen Polidoro, Mr. Louis Caron, Mr. Terence Van Dzura, Mr. Wayne Horbatt, Alternate #1 Ms. Roslyn Brodsky, Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider and Mayor Gerald Tamburro. Also present for the Board were Attorney Jerome Convery, Planner Mark Remsa, and Engineer Mark Rasimowicz.
MEMBERS ABSENT: (All present.)
A motion to approve the January 25, 2018, Minutes made by Mr. Lou Caron and seconded by Mr. Terence Van Dzura and passed with Mr. Andy Paluri abstaining.
PB-1200-17 Karen Gelzer; Request for Minor Subdivision with Bulk Variance
Block 18, Lot 8.05; Located on Union Valley Road in the R-30 (Residential) Zone
Represented by Mr. Peter Klousner who stated this a[p[plication is seeking minor subdivision approval for an additional lot. We will comply with all bulk standards. My client is not ready to build, so therefore we are seeking waivers on many of the items until building permit time. There is an existing home on the lot to be carved off.
Ms. Lorali Totten, applicant’s Engineer stated the property is known as Block 18, Lot 8.05, located on Union Valley Road in the R-30 zone of the Township. There is a private R.O.W. with access to the home. There is a variance for the existing home and we will comply with all other setbacks requirements. The homeowner’s maintenance agreement will be amended. Depending on MTMUD approval and force main connections, we have 3 connections, but if not we have developed it for well and septic also. Described the site in detail. The property is zoned R-30, but if build with well and septic R-60 standards will apply. The existing home will be on 1.3 acres and the new lot will consist of 3.82 acres. We have submitted to all outside agencies, we have heard back from all except Fire. We ask for many of the Engineers items to be deferred until building permit time.
Councilwoman Betty Schneider stated she would like to see many of the items in the file. Stated she understands that even if deferred, they will still need to submit at a later date.
Mr. Andy Paluri stated the plan shows a house. (Ms. Totten stated to show a house can be built there, with all setbacks met, but client is not doing it right now.)
Ms. Karen Polidoro asked who owns property to the right of the existing home. (Ms. Totten stated NJ Natural Gas.)
Chairman David Rothman asked about curbing and sidewalk.
Mr. Rasimowicz stated he would support that waiver request.
(No public wished to be heard. Public portion closed.)
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated November 8, 2017.
Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated October 3, 2017.
Motion to approve made by Mr. Andy Paluriand seconded by Mr. Len Leveneand passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
PB-1201-17 St. Anianus Coptic Church; Request for Conditional Use with Preliminary and Final Site Plan; Block 19, Lot 10.04; Located on North Bergen Mills Road in the RR-FLP (Rural Residential / Farmland Preservation Dist.) Zone
Represented by Walter Toto who stated this application is for Preliminary and Final Site Plan as well as Conditional Use Variance. It is proposed to convert a single family home and barn structures into a House of Worship. No new construction to take place. The property is known as 143 North Bergen Mills Road and it consist of 18 acres.
Father Michael Soreial described the daily activities and the holidays in detail. No employees will live on site. The maintenance of the property will be contracted out. We have been currently operating under a zoning permit that was approved in early 2017.
Mr. Sharif Aly, applicant’s Engineer, stated the property in a 6 acres zone and the property itself is 18 acres. We exceed the required acreage. The only new construction to take place will be improving the driveway, no new structures. The driveway will be the first 50 feet of pavement and then stone after. The sign will confirm to Township Ordinance. We are proposing 25 parking spaces to be 9x18, where only 23 spaces are required. We are requesting 3 variances: 1) parking space size, 2) parking in front yard and 3) separation of 30 feet from parking and building. We are also requesting waivers of curbing and sidewalk installation and paving of entire driveway.
Mr. Frank Miskovich, applicant’s Traffic Engineer is available for any questions regarding his traffic report submittal.
Mr. Walter Toto stated he would like the record reflected that he has received a letter of support from Senator Robert Menendez.
Mrs. Karen Polidoro stated that in the Engineers report, is there public access to the barn? (No. Just the parishioners.)
Mr. Terry Van Dzura asked if there are any provisions if the population increases.
Mr. Walter Toto stated they would need to come back before this Board for an amended approval then.
Mr. Mark Rasimowicz, Board Engineer, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated December 8, 2017.
Mr. Mark Remsa, Board Planner, has no objections subject to applicant’s compliance with report dated December 26, 2017.
Motion to approve made by Mr. Andy Paluri and seconded by Mr. Wayne Horbattand passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
MEMORIALIZATION
PB-1195-17 Countryside Developers, Inc., a motion to approve made by Mr. Wayne Horbatt and seconded by Mr. Len Levene and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
A motion to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. made by and seconded by and passed unanimously by all members of the Board present.
Respectfully submitted,
LAURA ZALEWSKI
PLANNING BOARD SECRETARY